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.
in Arrival activity, Soccer dribbling drills, Warm Ups
The idea of the session is to work towards possession with a purpose which includes understanding how to exploit space. So players begin by learing dribbling decisions then passing decisions MORE
Arrival activities are an ideal way to kick off training when you are waiting for all your players to turn up – they are set up so you can easily slot players in as they arise without disrupting the session MORE
This arrival activity is great for any age group once players have got into the swing of passing one way and running the other. You can use any number of players and add more as they turn up for training. MORE
in Arrival activity, Ball Control and Footwork, Warm Ups
As an arrival activity this works because you can add players as they turn up to training. It develops a high level of skill and movement. It is good for technique and uses both feet. MORE
in Arrival activity, Rondos, Warm Ups
This is a simple 5v2 keep away game made harder by having a triangle in the middle which the two defenders must protect or stay in the middle longer MORE
in Arrival activity, Small Sided Games, Warm Ups
This simple and fun activity is perfect for use on match days, allowing you to warm up your players with ball control and good touch MORE
in Email newsletters, Warm Ups
Every piece of research I have read agrees that the pre-match warm-up plays a vital part in enhancing player performance and reducing the risk of injury. Try these warm-ups with your team MORE
in Arrival activity, Passing, Warm Ups
An easily organised warm up suitable for all ages and abilities that will improve communication, passing awareness and decision-making. MORE
Get defenders to play like Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk, whose clever positioning in seemingly irretrievable situations often leads to attacks breaking down. MORE
in Arrival activity, Attacking, Soccer drills and skills, Warm Ups
You can use this fun warm up to teach young players the basics of attacking and defending. Awareness of where players are and the ability to control, pass and stop the ball can all be coached with this drill. MORE
in Soccer drills and skills, Warm Ups
I was asked at training last week: “How do you warm a striker up?” The answer has to be: “The same as everyone else.” A striker has to control, pass and run with the ball. They will not be shooting the whole time, indeed they may only shoot once or twice in a game. I... MORE
This training warm up helps to create a passing team capable of playing up the pitch at speed. It is easy to set up and excellent for fast feet, with players not only having to think but look to see where the spare man is. MORE
This tricky warm up may be hard to perfect, but once your players get the measure of it, you will soon see their passing improving MORE
in Practice plans, Soccer dribbling drills, Warm Ups
Dribbling with the ball is a skill that must be mastered by all players. This session will help you teach your squad this simple, but vital, discipline. MORE
This is a great session for getting attackers to be open to the pitch and it will help your striker learn when to shoot and when to tee up a team-mate MORE
in Email newsletters, Warm Ups
Make sure you have some different warm ups to try with your players like these four favourites of mine MORE
If you want to sharpen up your players in front of goal, this is a continuous exercise that will help strikers perfect the art of shooting first time with either foot MORE
This warm up is ideal for training sessions about retaining possession and finding players in key positions. MORE
in Email newsletters, Pre-season, Warm Ups
Everything you want from pre-season training is to be found in rondo. It makes for a simple session that works on every aspect of a player’s game: technique, tactics, physical and psychological. MORE
in Goalkeeping, Warm Ups
This fun pre-season training session for goalkeepers is based on one used by former Arsenal and Germany keeper Jens Lehmann MORE
in Pre-season, Warm Ups
This fun rondo game has everything your team needs for a good pre-season workout. It offers plenty of movement for your players and sharpens their control and technique too. MORE
Get brains and muscles into gear with this quick warm-up for training. It works on movement, agility and vision. MORE
in Team Management, Warm Ups, World Cup 2018
Sadio Mane and Senegal have a sensational warm up routine ... watch the video and try it at your next coaching session! MORE
in Goalkeeping, Warm Ups
This session is all about reacting to balls played close to the goalkeeper and getting them to take ownership of the ball, just like Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois MORE
