The best soccer practice to help players warm up will depend upon the individuals we’re working with, and we should always try to tailor it to their individual needs. “If the players are younger, perhaps think about better ways to start training. Maybe tag games or fundamental movement games,” suggests Wright. Fun soccer warm up games are great ways to engage players as soon as they arrive and help prepare them to learn, and can even include opposed or semi-opposed practices. “It primes them for whatever key principle we’re working on that night,” says Ric Marchioli, Assistant Coach and Analyst at Newcastle Jets, outlining one of his player-led soccer warm ups with PDP. “And the players actually start to take ownership. There’s a bit of banter and some competition, so they loosen up a little bit.” “Warm ups are great coaching opportunities,” adds Coutts. “Be prepared. Don’t just get kids running up and down in lines.”