An easily organised warm up suitable for all ages and abilities that will improve communication, passing awareness and decision-making.
Use the centre circle of your pitch and mark out a five-yard square in the middle of the circle. We’ve used 16 players. You need cones and balls.
Place 10 players equally spaced out around the circle. Put six players in the centre, each with a ball.
Players must run through the square and then pass to one of the outside players, run around the back of them and receive the ball back.
They then run through the square again and this time pass to an outside player and swap places with them. The outside player then does the same routine.
The numbers of players in the warm-up can be easily adjusted but just make sure there are three or four more players on the outside than on the inside when it starts.
Passing the ball, receiving, running with the ball, running with head up, control, communication and decision making all come into play in this effective and game realistic warm-up exercise.
The speed of execution will depend on the ability level of the players but even younger players will be able to gradually build up their pace and skill level.
The beauty of this warm-up is that it can begin slowly and gradually build up in intensity. Top-level players may soon get to one-touch passing. Others can build up to it.
4. After receiving the ball back the player then dribbles through the box again and passes to an outside player
5. This time the player swaps places with the outside player, who dribbles onto the pitch to repeat the warm-up
In a recent survey 89% of subscribers said Soccer Coach Weekly makes them more confident, 91% said Soccer Coach Weekly makes them a more effective coach and 93% said Soccer Coach Weekly makes them more inspired.
*includes 3 coaching manuals
Get Weekly Inspiration
All the latest techniques and approaches
Soccer Coach Weekly offers proven and easy to use soccer drills, coaching sessions, practice plans, small-sided games, warm-ups, training tips and advice.
We've been at the cutting edge of soccer coaching since we launched in 2007, creating resources for the grassroots youth coach, following best practice from around the world and insights from the professional game.