Let me tell you that stretching is an vital part of soccer training tips and professional coaches highly recommend it along with almost every player in every sport practicing it daily? Soccer is one of such sports that is always growing and developing in its complexity.
In kid’s training for soccer, there are two types of stretching, dynamic and static stretching that are integrated.
Static stretching requires players to stretch their muscles to a point of resistance 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.
This article discusses some benefits of stretching that go a long way in making a good player great.
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 an effective way of enhancing the muscle size and strength.
Stretching shapes flexibility: Stretching puts a stop to any loss of flexibility. But, stretching is more beneficial in the long run when performed continuously rather than during the shorter periods of time.
Performing stretching for a few minutes before starting any playing activity is likely to enhance flexibility. But the best of all soccer training tips is to spread a stretching program over a period of months, leading to a constant increase in range of motion.
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 varying the warm-up activities you do before stretching. Try games like the tag game, ball tag, and keep away.
Focus mentally on the stretching and feel and understand each stretch, checking for stiffness or soreness.
For almost all players, one single 15-30 minute stretch for each muscle group is sufficient but some may need longer stretches and more repetitions.
This is because when the temperature of muscles is higher than normal, tightness decreases and extensibility increases. Kids who hope to retain or boost their flexibility can somewhat reach this goal by stretching. It’s advisable to perform stretching exercises when the body temperature is higher than normal as it is safer and more useful.
This is why some coaches tend to make their kids perform stretching exercises after a workout as well. If your kids stretch for 5-10 minutes after performing soccer skills, their muscles will not tighten too fast.
Generally, players who exercise an active warm-up prior to stretching get a better range of motion than those 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 to our youth soccer coaching community and you can get access to numerous articles, videos, and periodic newsletters.
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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