This practice is designed to provide players an opportunity to warm-up in an enjoyable manner using a non football small-sided game. The game allows players to achieve a variety of movements to warm up in a fun, competitive setting with principles of football (attack, defence, transition) still present.
About the Video
In the video below, Dan will talk you through the structure of the practice, various outcomes and how you can adapt it for your players.
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Practice Overview
Topic: Warm-Up
No. of Players: 6 – 10
Goalkeepers: N/A
Practice Type: SSG
Offsides: N/A
Pitch Size: 26 x 16
Timing: 15 mins
Age Group: U9+
Interpreting the Diagrams
The key below outlines what the images mean on the diagrams.
If you have questions about the practices, contact the PDP Team or share your views on the Player Development Project Coaching Community.
Key For Diagrams
Diagrams
Objectives
This practice is designed to provide players an opportunity to warm-up in an enjoyable manner using a non football small-sided game. The use of a netball game can provide players an opportunity to receive the benefits of a warm-up and include transferable skills to football such as creating / denying space, evading opponents, and collaborating with teammates to solve gamebased problems. Ideally you will see similar individual and team playing behaviours as you’d intend for them when playing football, for example, pressing, counter-attacking, quick combinations to move the ball forward.
Organisation
Set up a small sided playing area with two end zones marked out. Two teams of four players play a small sided game against each other. Some rules of netball apply, specifically, the ball is moved by players using their hands to throw and catch the ball, once a player is in possession the ball they cannot travel across the ground. Teams aim to score by receiving the ball in the end zone. Play for a set time or to a score limit.
Observations & Interventions
What you might see
- Players running with the ball in their hands.
Actions you might take
- Implement a turnover rule if more than 2-steps are taken after catching the ball.
Adaptations:
Is the session too easy?
- Reduce the size of the end zone for scoring
- Change the ball being used (e.g., tennis, rugby)
- Challenge players to only have one foot on the ground when in contact with the ball
Is the session too hard?
- Play with a larger ball
- Allow 3-steps to be taken after catching the ball.
- Introduce a 1-step safe zone around the player in possession of the ball.
Want to understand more about warm ups and physical preparation?
Sign up to our Physical Performance Through Soccer online course here
Physical Performance Through Soccer Course