[Val]

Originally Posted by mcolwell1959

I always like to do a 25 minute pre match warm up. Start with aerobic exercise and then working with the ball, dribbling or passing for 5 - 7 mins; then SSG with restrictions in grid 40 x 30, such as limited number of touches or restricted to certain areas of the grid etc for 10-12 mins; then shooting/finishing routines with some restriction, i.e shoot with weaker foot (warms the keeper up as well) for 5 to 6 mins. Thne have a 1 -2 minute chat on how to play as a team and key points and then let them go straight in to the game.

I've coached younger players for some years and have always found such a warm up superior to what i see others do.

It's taken me a while, but I really do see a pre-game routine as being important. I failed to do this with my team this year, and it was our biggest failing. A routine like mcolwell suggests takes a while to inculcate into your team, so start with it the first thing. Maybe it would help your team take practice seriously if they do the same things as they do game days.