In Soccer practice , it’s a fact that both players and the coaches have a tendency to take warming up and stretching lightly. You musk know the importance of a practice session in shaping a player’s career as a whole. Just doing drills in soccer training everyday will not help.
It is strength, agility, and resistance which ensure that a player will survive in the game. So start every practice session with warm up followed by stretching. It should then be followed by technique teaching, 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 a few drills that act as great warm up and stretching exercises.
1. Running in Formation: In this warm up activity, make all the members of the team run, two abreast, staying in step. This is a great team activity that develops stamina as well as instills team spirit among the kids. 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. Ask the assistant coach or an advanced player to lead the team. This player should try a lot of new things which should be imitated in turn by the rest of the pack.
3. Reaching out: In soccer practice, this is a popular and very effective stretching exercise. Make the players stand with their legs apart and direct them left, right, and center. Then instruct them to touch their toes on all sides. At first, they may find it hard but will eventually be able to do it.
4. Lift legs up behind: This exercise helps the kids work their thighs. In a standing position, the players must fold their right leg up behind them and hold it for as long as they can. The repeat the exercise with the left leg. It is crucial that the kids do not look below at the ground else they will fall.
Every practice must have an aim. As a coach, try to focus on 1 or 2 skills per week. Create games and exercises that warm up the players as well as help them stretch after the training and also develop their abilities.
Physical fitness is important. It must be noted that the team that gets exhausted loses. It is extremely important that every drill uses a soccer ball. Do not let the kids run around the field without a ball, ask them to dribble with it.
Make a move and use these tips for soccer practice. If you are looking for more knowledge, tips, and tricks, subscribe to our youth soccer coaching community today.
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