Soccer Warm Ups

It is absolutely necessary to carry out some warm ups before one starts playing, as this helps reduce the possibility of an injury to the bare minimum. Soccer is an intensely physical game that involves a lot of exertion and the risk of injury is very high indeed. Soccer warm ups are necessary because they prepare the body for the grueling exertion ahead, and stretch the muscles of the body, and thus help in preventing injuries.

Another crucial fact is that it mentally prepares the players for the game ahead and also increases the performance levels. If one plays a game of soccer without carrying out an adequate amount of warming up, the muscles will be stiff and rigid, and this will severely affect the performance levels of a player.

Apart from helping to avoid various sprains, strains and muscle tears, soccer warm up exercises also help the body produce more energy. The warmed up muscles start working faster and energy is provided to them faster as the rate of breathing rises. All these factors greatly affect the speed and the power of an individual, thus enhancing his performance.

Soccer Warm Up Stretches
There are a variety of exercises that can be undertaken, and these depend on the coach or the trainer. It is advisable to follow a fixed routine, as the body eventually gets used to these drills and gets better prepared. It is not necessary to use a soccer ball for this purpose, and something as simple as running a few laps can help the body by leaps and bounds. Including some aerobic exercises in the soccer warm up drills is also a good idea, as these stretches affect every part of the body and stretch every muscle group.

Any sudden twists and turns at this stage is not a good idea, as the whole concept is about slowly warming up the body. One must avoid explosive running or sudden jumps as a part of warm ups, as sometimes these exercises itself can lead to an injury.

There are certain parts of the body that are more prone to injuries while playing soccer, and the warm ups aim at eliminating the risk of injury for these parts. Stretches should focus on the groin muscles, the calves, the quads, the hamstrings and the ankle. Twisting the waist from side to side and kicking the air is a good exercise to get the lower body muscles ready for the game.

At the end of the warm up it is important to bring the intensity up a little bit. This prepares the secretions and the energy levels in the body for the demands of the game. The perfect way to do this is to sprint from one spot to another as fast as possible. Note that this part of the warm up should be done at the very end. After this, let the player cool down and get ready for the game.

Many people start kicking the ball and jumping as soon as they get on the field, and this raises the possibility of injury a lot. The ideal amount of time that should be given to soccer specific warm ups is between 10-15 minutes, and this will eventually help in the long run. It's just as important for kids as an injury picked up at a young age tends to stay for a long time since kids do not spend enough time recuperating and are always very active.

Warm ups are an integral part of preparing for a game and if they are done in the right manner it can make a world of difference for the players. It is the responsibility of the coach and the trainer to ensure that the team has performed the right kind and the right amount before a game has started.