1. Warm-up progression - FIFA Training Centre

The warm-up performed prior to a training session or match is key to enabling players to meet the physical demands of what lies ahead and to perform to the best of their ability. Great importance should therefore be attached to this part of a session.

PART 1: REACTION DRILL – CONE SNATCH

Reaction drill in pairs

Organisation

Divide the players into pairs.
Place as many cones as the number of pairs in a line.
Assign each pair to a cone.
Position each member of the pair either side of each cone.

Explanation

The coach randomly calls out the following commands: “Head”, “Shoulder”, “Knees” and “Feet”, and each player has to touch the relevant body part.
When the coach calls out “Grab”, the members of each pair race each other to pick up the cone.
The first player to pick up the cone wins.

PART 2: BASKETBALL GAME

Players must throw the ball to each other and cannot dribble in order to get in the end-zone.

Organisation

Mark out a 20m x 20m exercise area using cones.
Mark out a 1m x 2m target zone at either end of the exercise area (one using red cones and the other using yellow cones).
Divide the group into 2 teams and assign each team a direction in which to attack.

Explanation

The exercise starts with a tipoff.
Players must throw the ball to each other and cannot dribble.
A basket is scored when a player runs into the target zone and catches a pass played by a team-mate.
An attacking player cannot occupy the target zone for a prolonged period. If a player in the target zone does not receive a pass, they must leave the zone before re-entering.

PART 3: DYNAMIC WARM-UP – MOBILITY EXERCISE

Organisation

Lay out 2 cones 12m apart and place another identical set parallel to them.
Divide the group into 2 teams (the same teams as in the previous part of the warm-up).
Assign a team to each row of cones.

Explanation

The coach asks the players to perform a series of mobility exercises, as shown in the video.

PART 4: PASSING AND DRIBBLING DRILLS

Players positioned in diagonally opposite corners of the exercise area dribble simultaneously towards the central cone.

Variation: When players reach the central cone, they perform a change of direction to dribble back towards their starting station

Organisation

Mark out a 12m x 18m exercise area using cones.
Place a cone in the middle of the exercise area.
Position an equal number of players in each corner of the exercise area.
Give the players at each corner station a ball between them.

Explanation

Players positioned in diagonally opposite corners of the exercise area dribble simultaneously towards the central cone, bypassing each other en route to the diagonally opposite corner.
Players should get as close to the central cone as possible without bumping into each other, staying on the right side of the central cone.
When they reach the diagonally opposite corner, the player plays the ball to the player at the front of the queue.
Once each of the players has performed the sequence several times, ask the players to stay on the left side of the central cone.

Variation

When players reach the central cone, they perform a change of direction to dribble back towards their starting station before passing the ball to the player at the front of the queue.

Coaching points

The exercise involves hidden running.
Players should keep up the intensity.
Players should perform a range of dribbling actions.
Take the opportunity to intervene to offer technical input and increase the demands on players.