Let’s accept the fact that in Soccer practice , both stretching and warming up are not given due attention by either coaches or players. You must understand that a practice session should aid the player’s total professional growth. Just doing drills in soccer training everyday will not help.
Players are required to have energy, flexibility, and stamina to remain in the game. Warm up and stretching should therefore be the starting points of any practice session. Then it should progress into technique teaching and drills or games. In the end, kids should be taught game tactics.
Warm up and stretching are done with two main intentions. They prepare the body for a strenuous workout and at the end of the session, stretching relaxes the tired muscles. Some drills are there that can be used as effective warm up and stretching exercises.
1. Running in Formation: This warm up activity requires all team members to run, two alongside each other, staying in harmony. This activity will result in developing player’s strength along with a feeling of belongingness in the team. What’s more, when the players progress in a set pattern, the opposing team tends to look at you as a strong wall to fight against.
2. Follow the leader: Another warm up soccer drills which help players get trained at following orders and dribbling while watching other team players. It’s necessary for each player to have a ball in this activity. Ask the assistant coach or an advanced player to lead the team. This lead player must make several different moves and everyone must imitate the lead player.
3. Reaching out: in soccer practice, this is a well-received stretching exercise. Direct the players to stretch their legs apart towards left, right, and center. After that, tell them to try touching their toes. To begin with, this may seem like a tough exercise but they will adjust to it soon.
4. Lift legs up behind: This exercise stretches the thighs. In a standing position, the kids must fold their thigh and then hold it there for some time. The repeat the exercise with the left leg. It is vital that the kids do not look at the ground otherwise, they may fall down.
Every practice must have a goal. Only try to teach a couple of skills every week. Research on methods that help players improve their skills and also help them warm up and stretch.
Being physically fit is crucial. It must be noted that the team that gets exhausted loses. Make sure that your fitness activities are drills that include soccer ball as much as possible. It is no use running around the field without a ball, ask them to keep dribbling.
Go ahead and help your team use these tips in their soccer practice. Join our youth soccer coaching community to benefit from our knowledge, tips, and tricks on youth soccer.
Andre Botelho is known online as “The
Expert Youth Soccer Coach” and his free
ebooks and reports have been downloaded
more than 100,000 times. Learn how to
skyrocket your players’ skills and make
practice sessions fun in record time.
Download your free ebook at: Y
outh Soccer Drills.
Popularity: 17% [?]