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It’s both the coaches and players that pay no heed to the fact that stretching and warming up in relation to Soccer practice . It’s important to realize that a player’s complete development is supported by a well designed practice session. 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. Warm up and stretching should therefore be the starting points of any practice session. After that, get on to coaching different techniques, games, and drills. Towards the end, the kids can be made to learn some game tactics.

Warming up and stretching achieve two broad objectives. They make the body ready for a grueling session and stretching after the session tones and relax the muscles. There are some drills that account for amazing stretching and warm up exercises.

1. Running in Formation: Make all team members run in this activity, two shoulder to shoulder and staying synchronized. This activity will result in developing player’s strength along with a feeling of belongingness in the team. Also, when the kids move about in a formation, it gives a direct message to the opposition that your team is a force to reckon with.

2. Follow the leader: Another warm up soccer drills which help players get trained at following orders and dribbling while watching other team players. It’s necessary for each player to have a ball in this activity. Pick a senior player or an assistant coach to start dribbling the ball and everyone else must follow him/her in a line. This player should make a lot of variations with the ball and the rest of the players should emulate.

3. Reaching out: in soccer practice, this is a well-received stretching exercise. Instruct the players to stretch their legs towards left, right, and center in a standing position. Then instruct them to touch their toes on all sides. Initially, the players will find it difficult but will get used to it soon.

4. Lift legs up behind: This is another stretching exercise that works the thighs up. 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 vital that the kids do not look at the ground otherwise, they may fall down.

Every practice must have an objective. 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.

Physical fitness is important. Remember that the team that wears out early is the one that loses. Ensure that the kids use a soccer ball for every drill that they do. Instruct the kids to run around the field while dribbling a ball.

Go ahead and help your team use these tips in their soccer practice. Join our youth soccer coaching community to benefit from our knowledge, tips, and tricks on youth soccer.

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