Dynamic warm up exercises should be the staple for every soccer practice warm up. However, knowing which sequence and which stretches and movement patterns are best for your soccer players can make all the difference. We already know quality of movement and movement speed are some of the secrets to soccer success. However, the flexibility of individual players can have a significant impact on their ability to move on the field as well as protect themselves from injury. Another important issue is how players warm up before practice, before critical games and what they do before and after exercise can either add value or detract from their results.’ All too often I see players spending way too much time performing static stretches (holding a stretch for more than 2-3 seconds). While this may have a place in the role of warm-up, research has shown this can tire out your nervous system and pre-fatigue a muscle. The result is that the player can start the game feeling flat and result in a greater chance of injury.’

Follow the articles in this section to help guide you through appropriate pre game warm up routines and stretches designed to maximize your range of motion. You will also learn…

• How to get the most from your flexibility program
• Learn the specifics of our functional flexibility series to prepare your players for the speed ahead
• Video footage and exercise photos of warm ups, drills, stretches, and ways to maximize your players range of motion
• Understand which stretching methods NOT to use and ones that will actually decrease soccer performance