Trusted across the Premier League
Still standing in extra time.
The cramp shot supplied to players across Liverpool, Everton, Leeds and Wrexham. Calf and hamstring cramp eased in 60 to 90 seconds. Take it before kick-off, in the changing room at half time, or pitchside when something starts to grab.
Shop PickleUp Pro →Used weekly by teams across
The Protocol
When to take it on a matchday.
Three windows: before kick-off, at half time, and pitchside if cramp starts to creep in. Simple enough for Sunday league, used the same way at the top end.
Window 01 — Pre-match
1 shot
15 mins before
kick-off
kick-off
Why
Gets the cramp reflex switched on before you set foot on the pitch. Easy to take in the changing room with your warm-up routine.
Window 02 — Half time
1 shot
in the
changing room
changing room
Why
The 75th minute is where late-game cramp usually shows up. The half-time shot heads it off. Take it after oranges, with the team talk.
Window 03 — Pitchside
1 shot
first sign of
tightness
tightness
Why
Shot down in 90 seconds, jog it off, back on. Don't wait for full cramp to land — take it the moment something tightens.
Protocols by match type
Sunday League / Grassroots
One before kick-off. One at half time. Keep one in the kit bag for the player who always cramps at 75. Three per cramp-prone player covers most matches.
Tournament weekend
One before match one. One between matches alongside food. Extra at half time of any knockout game. Plan for four to five shots per day across a full tournament.
Cup final or playoff (extra time)
One pre-match. One at half time. One ready at the 75th minute. One stashed for the extra-time whistle. Four shots, one for each phase. This is what we send with our partner clubs.
Pre-season and double sessions
One shot before high-intensity sessions, double days or hot-weather training. July pre-season is the highest cramp-risk window in the calendar — front-load the protocol.
The Science
Football cramp isn't just about dehydration. It's neurological.
Cramp at the end of a match comes from the nervous system, not the muscle. After repeated sprints, decelerations and changes of direction, the signal between brain and muscle starts to misfire. That's why fully-hydrated, fully-fuelled players still cramp at 80 minutes.
PickleUp uses a vinegar hit to trigger sensory receptors in your mouth and throat. That sends a signal to your brainstem that resets the cramp reflex across the body. Usually within 60 to 90 seconds. No digestion required, which is why a player can take it pitchside and be back on within a minute.
The science was pioneered by researchers including Prof. Kevin Miller, whose work has changed how elite football handles late-game cramp.
Read the full science →60-90s
Onset of relief
75th min
Where cramp lands
21g
Fast carbs per shot
50ml
Fits in a kit bag pocket
First pre-season in five years I haven't lost a player to cramp.
— S&C Coach, Premier League academy
For clubs and squads
Kitting out the whole squad?
Bulk pricing for clubs, academies and S&C staff. Used by teams across the English pyramid, from grassroots Sundays to the Premier League. Trade access available for managers, nutritionists and performance staff.
Apply for club pricing →
FAQ
Questions from footballers.
What we get asked by players, managers and S&C staff.
How fast does it actually work?
Usually 60 to 90 seconds. The shot triggers a reflex through your nervous system rather than going through digestion, so a player can take it pitchside and be back on inside a minute.
Can players take it during a match?
Yes. Stash a shot with the physio or in the dugout. When a player feels something tightening, they come off briefly, take the shot, and re-enter within the same passage of play. This is exactly how it's used at multiple Premier League and EFL clubs.
Is it FA, Premier League and FIFA compliant?
Yes. All ingredients are natural and widely used in sports nutrition — no banned substances, no stimulants, no grey areas. Informed Sport certification is scheduled for late 2025.
Will it upset the players' stomachs?
The formula is built for use during high-intensity effort. 50ml goes down in one without sitting heavy. If a player is particularly cramp-prone or new to the shot, trial it in a training match first rather than debuting it in a fixture.
How does it compare to salt tabs or electrolyte drinks?
Salt and electrolytes target hydration. PickleUp targets the cramp reflex through your nervous system — different mechanism. Most cramp-prone players find PickleUp works where electrolytes don't. The two don't conflict, plenty of players use both.
How many shots does a squad need per match?
For a matchday squad of 16 to 18, plan for 24 to 30 shots per fixture. That covers pre-match for the squad, half time for the starters, and pitchside shots for cramp-prone players in the second half. Cup runs and tournament weekends will need more.
Is there bulk pricing for clubs?
Yes. Trade pricing is available for clubs, academies, S&C teams and nutritionists. Minimum order quantities and pricing are handled through our trade hub — apply for access through the link above.
What does it taste like?
Tangy and sharp with a pineapple finish. Pickle juice, made drinkable. The bite is part of how it works — that sharp taste is what triggers the reflex. Players get used to it fast.
Play the full 90. Then some.
Pre-match. Half time. Pitchside. Three windows that decide whether you finish the match or watch it from the touchline.
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