Soccer Practice : 5 Sure-fire Tips To Warmup And Stretch
Posted on February 27th, 2010 | by Andre |Let’s face it! When it comes to warming up and stretching in Soccer practice , both coaches and players tend to ignore both. It must be understood that a practice must support the development of players as a whole. Daily practicing soccer training drills is not sufficient.
Players are required to have energy, flexibility, and stamina to remain in the game. So every practice must start with warm-up and stretch. It should then be followed by technique teaching, games and drills. In the end, kids should be taught game tactics.
Warm up and stretching are done with two main intentions. They make the body ready for a grueling session and stretching after the session tones and relax the muscles. Some drills are there that can be used as effective warm up and stretching exercises.
1. Running in Formation: All members in the team should be made to run in this warm up round, two side by side, staying in line. Since it’s a team activity, it not only adds on to the team spirit in players but also builds player’s endurance. 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: The players in this warm up soccer drills activity get to learn the skill of following orders along with dribbling with their heads held high. Every player needs to have a ball in this activity. Request a mature player to start dribbling the ball in a lead role and the entire team must follow him. This leader should endeavor to make a lot of moves and the followers should copy him.
3. Reaching Out: In soccer practice, this is a well-admired and useful stretching activity. Direct the players to stretch their legs apart towards left, right, and center. After that, tell them to try touching their toes. Initially, the players will find it difficult but will get used to it soon.
4. Lift legs up behind: This exercise helps the kids work their thighs. While standing, the kids must raise their leg up behind and then hold it there. Then repeat with the left leg. The players must not look below at the ground else they will loose their balance.
Every practice must have an objective. As a coach, try to focus on 1 or 2 skills per week. Research on methods that help players improve their skills and also help them warm up and stretch.
Being physically fit is crucial. Appreciate the fact that the team that gets worn out easily loses. It is extremely important that every drill uses a soccer ball. Do not make the kids run just like that, have them dribble with the ball while they do so.
So go ahead and make your team work out with these fitness mantras for soccer practice. Enroll for our youth soccer coaching community to get more tips, tricks, knowledge, and other youth soccer resources.
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