In soccer, warming up has significant advantages for effectively preparing the body for the training session that will follow. Its main purposes are to:
- Prepare the joints for the necessary efforts during the session;
- Gradually increase muscle temperature (referred to as muscle vascularization);
- Gradually raise body temperature, which is perhaps the most well-known benefit of warming up;
- Gradually elevate heart rate to allow the heart and organs to adapt to the physical demands of the practice.
But warming up is not limited to these physiological aspects. It also plays a crucial role in the mental preparation of players, their concentration, and the cohesion of the group from the first minutes of the session. The
preparation of a warm-up is essential if you want to offer your players a complete session and allows you to gradually increase your players' body temperature. The warm-up in soccer also serves as a transition between what happens before the session and the concentration needed during the training session.
The different types of warm-up
A good warm-up should be structured in several phases, each complementing the others.
1. The general warm-up
This is a global awakening of the body, often done without a ball. It includes light running exercises, joint mobilization (ankles, hips, shoulders…), small jumps, and motor coordination work. This phase generally lasts 5 to 10 minutes.
2. The specific warm-up
This second phase incorporates movements closer to the efforts that will be made during the session. You can add exercises such as kicking,
short passes, ball control, or even
small-sided games to get into the intensity. It allows a smooth transition to the day's technical or
tactical objectives.
3. The warm-up with the ball
Ideal for younger categories or the start of
fun sessions, the warm-up with the ball allows working on
basic technique while maintaining a gradual increase in intensity. It can include passing exercises, dribbling, juggling, or rondos to promote contact with the ball.
Why is warming up essential?
Besides the physical benefits, a well-designed warm-up:
- Reduces the risk of injury, especially muscular (hamstrings, quadriceps, calves);
- Mentally prepares players to enter a performance mindset;
- Promotes individual and collective concentration, often absent at the start of a session;
- Allows the coach to communicate instructions in a more relaxed setting while observing the general state of the group.
Adapting the warm-up to the session
The warm-up should never be generic. It must be adapted to the theme of the session: a session focused on speed or power will not require the same warm-up as a session on positional play or possession.
It can also vary depending on the weather, the planned intensity, or the time of the season.
Example of a typical structure:
- 5 minutes of joint mobilization and light jogging;
- 5 minutes of motor skills, footwork, athletic drills;
- 5 to 10 minutes with the ball (passing, dribbling, small-sided game);
- Dynamic stretching and gradual accelerations.