GCFA Warm Ups
In our travels it is clear that the warm-up, which is really an important part of preparing players for the match ahead, is neglected somewhat. And it's not restricted to preparation for the match. We have observed training sessions where preparation was almost non existent.
So what do you as a coach or player in striving to get yourself or the squad prepared for what lies ahead? First recognise that there are many elements to a warm up and that a training session will most likely be different from a game. Recognise that the warm up is not just physical. Its psychological too. Its building confidence and enhancing teamwork prior to a session or a match. It's getting the players acclimatised to the current playing conditions like the cold, the rain, the heat, the humidity or the wind. And it's a chance to test those playing conditions and the pitch as to how it responds. All these factors are involved.
Coaches and players should also think on these two terms when considering warm ups and how they conduct them both collectively and as individuals. The terms are generic and specific. The most obvious specific one easily recognised by most, is warming a keeper up before a game. This usually takes place after a generic start and then translates to specifics like handling the ball at pace, distribution, dealing with crosses and shots etc.
Not so obvious would be that most players should then move to a specific warm up in preparation for the session or the game. You may see this in a hard fought rhondo etc. But often we have witnessed just a generic warm-up and then straight into the match through lack of time, preparation or even ignorance. The warm up should always reflect the type of training and game play that is to be undertaken with players focusing on those muscles that will be used more in the session or match.
And lastly, it is important to understand that a player be allowed time and space to conduct his own rituals. This may include stretching dynamically or statically and it is important to them psychologically that they do so, as well as physically.
So what do you as a coach or player in striving to get yourself or the squad prepared for what lies ahead? First recognise that there are many elements to a warm up and that a training session will most likely be different from a game. Recognise that the warm up is not just physical. Its psychological too. Its building confidence and enhancing teamwork prior to a session or a match. It's getting the players acclimatised to the current playing conditions like the cold, the rain, the heat, the humidity or the wind. And it's a chance to test those playing conditions and the pitch as to how it responds. All these factors are involved.
Coaches and players should also think on these two terms when considering warm ups and how they conduct them both collectively and as individuals. The terms are generic and specific. The most obvious specific one easily recognised by most, is warming a keeper up before a game. This usually takes place after a generic start and then translates to specifics like handling the ball at pace, distribution, dealing with crosses and shots etc.
Not so obvious would be that most players should then move to a specific warm up in preparation for the session or the game. You may see this in a hard fought rhondo etc. But often we have witnessed just a generic warm-up and then straight into the match through lack of time, preparation or even ignorance. The warm up should always reflect the type of training and game play that is to be undertaken with players focusing on those muscles that will be used more in the session or match.
And lastly, it is important to understand that a player be allowed time and space to conduct his own rituals. This may include stretching dynamically or statically and it is important to them psychologically that they do so, as well as physically.