Warm Ups

Warm-ups and cool-downs are two of the most important aspects of your training and match day routines.

It’s vital that your players warm-up and cool-down properly in order to maximise their performance and reduce the risk of injury. We tell you how and why warm-ups and cool-downs work and we suggest some activities that you might try with your team.

Warm Ups

Pre match soccer warm up drill for ball control skills

When you get to your matches, try this soccer warm-up drill so your players can remember all the ball control drills and skills you have worked on in your soccer coaching sessions. This warm-up drill is easy to set up as long as you remember to take your cones with you to the away games!

Warm Ups

Soccer warm up drill combining bursts of speed and ball control

This warm-up soccer drill is a good fitness test to get players practising short bursts of speed while keeping the ball under control. It also tests the accuracy of their pass or shot. Soccer drills such as this one are excellent for fitness tests with a competition at the end. To make this soccer (football)

Warm Ups

Fun warm up game for marking skills

Get your players to lose their markers with this fun warm up game from Michael Beale. Marking skills game Each player must put a bib in the back of his shorts. The players must move around the area and try to pull someone else's bib away. They must also try to protect their own bib.

Warm Ups

Jogging and stretching soccer warm up drills

Soccer (football) warm-up drills are essential to prevent injury and prepare your players for both training sessions and matches. Use the following ideas for fun and effective, all-round warm ups. Start the soccer (football) drill Get your players to kick

Warm Ups

Soccer warm up drill with crossway finishing

Simple soccer drills to warm up your players before a game, or before you start an attacking session, are a must. This is an ideal soccer warm-up drill that is easy to do and gets players in the right mind for the soccer coaching session ahead. Aims of the soccer drill Sometimes it isn't so

Warm Ups

Soccer warm up drill for link up play

In this soccer warm-up drill players must combine to complete a move. The drill is based on a pair of players in the centre of a 20 x 20 yard square and each pair should be in the centre for a minute. How to set up the drill There are two players inside the square

Warm Ups

Play tag to give players a fun soccer warm up drill

Simple warm-up drills often work best with young players in the U4-U7 age groups, but are also often good for older players. Use the following soccer drill, based on a tag game idea, to appeal to all age groups and to get players ready to focus on your soccer coaching session. Run soccer warm-up drill

Warm Ups

Soccer warm down drill with stretching and dribbling

Soccer warm-down drills are an important part of your coaching sessions, but if you're going to get your players to be enthusiastic about doing them, they have to be interesting and lively. This soccer drill is a fun way to get players actively taking part and making the most of their warm-down exercises. Warm-down drill

Warm Ups

Warm down soccer drill using Aussie rules

A great way to get your players to warm-down after a training drill session is by using this Aussie rules drill. Players hold the ball in their hands and volley it to pass – when they catch the ball they have to stand still before making the next volleyed pass. The opposition has to intercept

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