How to Coach a Kids' Soccer Warm-Up Drill

A proper warm-up sets the tone for a good practice and game. Try this fun game, called "Stuck in the Mud," to start your practice out right.

Instructions

    • 1

      Give three kids pinnies (vests) to wear and have them run around the soccer field trying to tag the other players. A tagged player is frozen, i.e. "stuck in the mud."

    • 2

      Have teammates crawl through frozen players' legs to have them released and resume running around.

    • 3

      Give the three taggers a minute to see how many players they can tag.

    • 4

      Repeat the game by passing the pinnies on to other players.

    • 5

      Spend about 10 to 15 minutes playing this game. Let the game go awhile, even if things aren't going well. It's good to let players sort out their own confusion.

    • 6

      Stretch after the warm-up. You don't need to do as much with younger children, although it is good to get them into the habit.

    • 7

      Focus on having fun.