Soccer Practice : 5 Action Ideas To Warmup And Stretch
February 27th, 2010
Let’s accept the fact that in Soccer practice , both stretching and warming up are not given due attention by either coaches or players. It must be understood that a practice must support the development of players as a whole. In soccer training, performing daily drills is not good enough.
It is strength, agility, and resistance which ensure that a player will survive in the game. Therefore each practice session should begin with warm up rounds and stretching. After that, get on to coaching different techniques, games, and drills. In the end, kids should be taught game tactics.
Doing warm up and stretching exercises has two main objectives. It readies the body to take the strain of a tough sessions and relaxes the body after the session is over. There are some drills that account for amazing stretching and warm up 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. Besides, the opposition gets a signal that it’s going to be difficult for them to survive against you when they see you approaching them in a defined shape of people.
2. Follow the leader: This warm up comes from the family of soccer drills that allow the players to learn the art of dribbling with their heads up and tag along other team members. In this activity, every player should have a ball. Request a mature player to start dribbling the ball in a lead role and the entire team must follow him. 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-admired and useful stretching activity. Instruct the players to stretch their legs towards left, right, and center in a standing position. Afterwards, ask them to try touching their toes. In the beginning, they may find it difficult but will get used to it soon.
4. Lift legs up behind: This exercise helps the kids work their 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 important that the kids do not look below else they will lose their focus and balance.
Every practice must have a purpose. Only try to teach a couple of skills every week. Engineer drills that work towards developing the skills of the players while at the same time helping them warm up and stretch.
Being fit is vital. It must be noted that the team that gets exhausted loses. Make use of a soccer ball for every drill that you make the kids do. Instruct the kids to run around the field while dribbling a ball.
Make a move and use these tips 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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