Ladder Lateral Shuffle Through

Move sideways down the ladder, both feet in each box, hips square to the side. Trains a true lateral shuffle without crossing over — the base for defensive footwork.

DIFFICULTY
Beginner
EQUIPMENT
Agility ladder
PRIMARY MUSCLES
Gluteus Medius · Adductors
ALSO WORKS
Quads · Calves · Glutes
HOW TO DO IT
  1. 01Stand at one end of the ladder, side-on, in a quarter-squat athletic stance.
  2. 02Step the lead foot into the first box, then bring the trail foot in beside it.
  3. 03Continue sideways, one box at a time, keeping both feet in each box.
  4. 04Keep the chest up, hips low and feet from ever clicking together.
  5. 05Shuffle five metres past the end, then repeat leading with the other side. Do 4 to 6 passes.
COACHING CUES
  1. 01Push off the trail foot, do not reach with the lead.
  2. 02Stay low the whole way.
  3. 03Feet never touch.
COMMON MISTAKES
  1. 01Standing up as you speed up — you lose the hip angle you need to push off sideways.
  2. 02Clicking the heels together — the base disappears for a moment and you cannot change direction from there.
  3. 03Reaching with the lead foot instead of pushing with the trail — the shuffle looks fast but produces no lateral force.

Note: Reference material, not a prescription. Load, volume and whether this movement suits you at all depends on your assessment — if something hurts, stop and get it looked at.

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