Agility ladders at U9 – worth the time?

With one hour a week, I would normally get most movement development through football. Players can accelerate, stop, turn, balance and change direction in 1v1s, chasing games and small-sided football while also reading opponents and the ball. That does not mean a ladder is useless. A two-minute fun movement challenge can be fine. I just would not give it ten minutes because it looks athletic. Ask what the activity is giving the players that the football cannot. At U9, I would prioritise movement that has a decision attached to it. The more limited your contact time, the more valuable it is when physical movement, technique and game understanding happen together rather than in separate blocks.