Does it sound familiar when I say that stretching forms an integral part of soccer training tips and is widely recommended and practiced by almost all sportspersons? Talking about soccer, it is constantly growing and developing in its difficulty.
There are two types of stretching that can be incorporated in kid’s training for soccer; static and dynamic stretching.
When doing the static stretching, players draw out their muscles to a given point of resistance and hold it right there for a given amount of time. Rebounding, rhythmic bouncing, and recurring motions are involved in dynamic stretching. In comparison with static stretching, it is more risky and less useful.
In this article, you’ll find some good points of stretching that can help average players become great players.
Stretching reduces injuries: Stretching helps bring down the risks of injury when performed over a period of time by stretching the muscles daily, thus promoting their growth. Stretching also provides a way of improving the size and strength of muscles.
Stretching shapes flexibility: Stretching puts a stop to any loss of flexibility. Nevertheless, stretching works best when performed for a greater length of time than for 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 sure that the kids enjoy stretching: Make stretching fun for the kids by including a variety of soccer drills into your session. Keep changing the type of warm up exercises that you perform before stretching. Try various activities like tag games, ball tag, and keep away.
Focus mentally on the stretching and feel and understand each stretch, checking for stiffness or soreness.
For a majority of kids, one stretch of15-30 minutes is sufficient for each muscle group but some kids may take 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. Players who want to maintain or increase their flexibility can partly achieve this goal by stretching. Doing stretching when the body temperature is higher as against normal makes it more productive, safe, and sound.
This is the reason why some coaches make kids stretch even after a workout. Stretching for five minutes after practicing soccer skills prevents muscles from tightening 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.
One of the most important soccer training tips to keep in mind is that stretching, if done hurriedly, does not help kids gain any flexibility, and becomes worthless and repetitive, so give them sufficient time to warm up before stretching. Join our youth soccer coaching community and enhance your knowledge about soccer through loads of articles, videos, and podcasts available there.
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 coaching sessions fun in less than 29 days! Download your free pdf guide at: Youth Soccer Drills.
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