Recreation and Sports
Soccer Training Tips: 4 Action Ideas On Stretching
August 24, 2010 by drewloupsen · Leave a Comment
Did you know that Soccer training tips has an important feature; stretching, that is highly recommended as well as practiced by almost every sports person? Soccer is a sport which is continuously growing and developing in its intricacy.
When it comes to kid’s training for soccer, two types of stretching i.e. static and dynamic stretching are included in it.
Static stretching requires the kids to extend their muscles as far as they can and hold for a given duration of time. Recurring motions, rebounding, and rhythmic bouncing are performed by the players while doing dynamic stretching. Generally, static stretching is considered as more effective and involves less risk than dynamic stretching.
There are some advantages of practicing stretching discussed in this article that improve a player’s ability to become an exceptional player.
Stretching reduces injuries: Constant stretching by players during the day and continuing it over a period of time helps the growth of their muscles, thus diminishing the risk of injury. Stretching also provides a way of improving the size and strength of muscles.
Stretching affects flexibility: Stretching prevents loss of flexibility. But, stretching is more beneficial in the long run when performed continuously rather than during the shorter periods of time.
Stretching for some minutes prior to any occasion is liable to improve flexibility. One of the most important soccer training tips is to focus on enhancing the player’s range of motion by spreading out the stretching program over a period of months together.
Stretching enhances performance: Player’s performance improves when stretching exercises are designed to be soccer specific.
Make stretching fun for the kids: You can do this by including a variety of soccer drills into your training regimen. Keep changing the type of warm up exercises that you perform before stretching. Try tag games, ball tag, and keep away.
Focus mentally on the stretching and feel and understand each stretch, checking for stiffness or soreness.
In most of the cases a single 15-30 minute stretch for each muscle group is enough for kids but some may need longer stretches or more repetitions.
The reason for this is that when the temperature of muscles is higher than normal, stiffness decreases and extensibility increases. Kids who hope to retain or boost their flexibility can somewhat reach this goal by stretching. When their body temperature is higher as against normal, it makes it safer and more productive to stretch.
That’s why some experienced coaches recommend stretching after a workout also. If your kids stretch for 5-10 minutes after performing soccer skills, their muscles will not tighten too fast.
In general, players who do an active warm-up before stretching get an improved range of motion than kids who only stretch. So if injury prevention is your aim, stop stretching before exercise and increase the warm up time.
Some food for thought; one of the most important soccer training tips is that hurried stretching is meaningless and boring and doesn’t help your players gain flexibility, so allow them some extra time when they are feeling inflexible or stiff. You can subscribe to our youth soccer coaching community and get your way to innumerable articles, videos, and periodic newsletters.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andre Botelho is the author of “The Expert Youth Soccer Coaching Guide” and he’s a recognized expert in the subject of youth soccer coaching. Learn how to explode your players’ skills and make training fun in less than 29 days! Download your free pdf guide at: Soccer training tips
