Cool Downs
Stretch & Reflect Cool Down
Bring the heart rate down gradually
Cool Downs
Stretch & Reflect Cool Down is a 8-minute cool downs drill for 4-24 players, suitable for Under 5 to Adults at beginner, intermediate level. You need balls. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.
Back to drill libraryCool Downs
Cool Down
Beginner
Intermediate
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Foundation Phase
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Quick 10 Minutes
Duration
8 min
Players
4-24
Pitch size
Centre circle
Ability levels
Beginner / Intermediate
Pitch diagram
Stretch & Reflect Cool Down — Circle — pass around and through · Centre circle
Step 1 of 3Two minutes of easy jogging and light passing.
- 1. Two minutes of easy jogging and light passing.
- 2. Stretch calves, hamstrings, quads, hip flexors and glutes for 20 seconds each side.
- 3. Finish with three questions about the session.
- Ball
- Dotted arrow = rotation between repetitions
- Circle organisation — players on the outside
- Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble
Objectives
- -Bring the heart rate down gradually
- -Stretch the main muscle groups
- -Reflect on the session topic
Setup
- 1Gather the group in a circle.
- 2One ball between two players.
- 3Coach in the middle so everyone can hear.
Coaching instructions
- 1Two minutes of easy jogging and light passing.
- 2Stretch calves, hamstrings, quads, hip flexors and glutes for 20 seconds each side.
- 3Finish with three questions about the session.
Coaching points
- -Breathe out into each stretch, no bouncing
- -Keep the tone calm and positive
- -Name two specific things players did well
- -Set one thing to practise before next session
Common mistakes
- -Skipping the cool down when time is short
- -Coach talking too long
- -Stretching cold muscles