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.

Mastering the flanks – Warm Up

in Warm Ups

Develop your players’ ability to create goal-scoring opportunities from wide areas. By STEVE GREENWOOD MORE

Third-man running

in Attacking, Warm Ups

This session develops players’ awareness and movement for third-man combinations. By DAVID ALTENDORFF MORE

First touch warm up

in Passing, Warm Ups

Great activity to use before a game or training to warm players up with a simple passing exercise MORE

Line chase

in Passing, Warm Ups

Simple to set up and simple to do, but this does need accurate passing and good player movement. Good for match days when you want a quick warm up for movement and technique MORE

Pre-match warm-up

in Passing, Warm Ups

This session works on encouraging communication and good passing and getting players to drive into space and hit the target. MORE

Rondos: great fun, great learning

in Arrival activities, Rondos, Warm Ups

My go to activities when players have had been on the summer break are Rondos – and with this being one of the longest breaks from playing due to lockdown I am going to be using Rondos over the next few weeks to get players back up to speed. MORE

How are you starting your coaching sessions?

in Email newsletters, Warm Ups

I cannot second guess when we will all be out of this strange way of coaching with no opposed sessions but hopefully it will be fairly soon. To that end I continually remind myself that I will be going back to getting my players warmed up in a different way to how I am doing it at the moment. MORE

Agility square

in Ball Control and Footwork, Warm Ups

Get brains and muscles into gear with this quick warm-up for training. It works on movement, agility and vision. MORE

Player positions for support

in Ball Control and Footwork, Warm Ups

Use this fast-paced training game to get two centre midfielders and a defensive midfielder moving quickly into positions to support each other, just like they would in a match. MORE

Give goalkeepers confidence

in Goalkeeping, Warm Ups

This goalkeeper warm up is all about reacting to balls played close to the keeper and getting them to take ownership of the ball. The goalkeeper can make a huge difference to a team, with a confident player who can clear the ball taking the pressure off defenders. MORE

Goalie handling and distribution

in Goalkeeping, Warm Ups

Warming the goalkeeper up needs more than just taking a few shots at him to see his reactions. This is a great workout that you can use as a warm up that tests goalkeeper handling and distribution. MORE

Warm up circle

in Arrival activities, Fun soccer games, Warm Ups

Great for any age group, getting brains warmed up with gentle running and getting players to concentrate and think about what they have to do. Simple but very effective. MORE

Start games strongly

in Arrival activities, Email newsletters, Warm Ups

What I love about my U9s team is that when I come out to warm them up before a match they are all ready and sitting there waiting for me... with a cheer they all descend on the bag of training balls and start warming themselves up. MORE

Why do teams warm up like this!

in Blog, Warm Ups

How often do you turn up at a match and watch the players doing something that just isn’t a warm up or preparation for playing a game? MORE

Dribble turn

in Arrival activities, Warm Ups

This simple and fun activity is perfect for use on match days, allowing you to warm up your players with a quick burst of movement and a focus on technique MORE

Dribble and change direction

in Ball Control and Footwork, Warm Ups

This is a great warm-up to get your players ready for a match or training session. Running with the ball under control, changing direction and passing MORE

One-two work out

in Arrival activities, Passing, Warm Ups

This five minute warm up drill is all about first touch and anticipating the pass. Good for fitness and getting players ready for movement and passing in matches. MORE

Get sleepy heads ready to play

in Email newsletters, Warm Ups

Warm ups or arrival activities are the best way to get fuzzy minds focused on the game ahead. Afterall you don't want to be 3-0 down after 10 minutes before they wake up and react to the fact they are playing a game. MORE

Fast feet

in Arrival activities, Warm Ups

A warm-up that will teach your players practise dribbling the ball with two feet and help them to learn how to change direction quickly MORE

Diamonds sharpen skills

in Arrival activities, Warm Ups

This session sharpens an array of soccer skills at the beginning of a season when players need to get their bodies back into balance and refresh their technique on the ball. This is a great session to use for sharpening awareness and coordination. MORE