Cool Downs
Challenge Stretch Circle Cool Down
Lengthen the main muscle groups after work
Cool Downs
Challenge Stretch Circle Cool Down is a 8-minute cool downs drill for 2-24 players, suitable for Under 5 to Adults at beginner, intermediate level. You need balls, cones. Below you will find the objective, the set-up, how to run it, coaching points, common mistakes, progressions, regressions and variations.
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Cool Down
Beginner
Intermediate
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Foundation Phase
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Quick 10 Minutes
Individual Development
Duration
8 min
Players
2-24
Pitch size
12 x 12 yards
Ability levels
Beginner / Intermediate
Pitch diagram
Challenge Stretch Circle Cool Down — Circle — pass around and through · 12 x 12 yards
Step 1 of 5Players take turns leading a stretch for the group.
- 1. Players take turns leading a stretch for the group.
- 2. Hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds without bouncing.
- 3. The ball is passed to whoever speaks next.
- 4. Players pick the challenge level they want to attempt first.
- 5. Each player logs a personal best and tries to beat it next week.
- Ball
- Dotted arrow = rotation between repetitions
- Circle organisation — players on the outside
- Solid arrow = pass, thick = shot, dashed = run / dribble
Objectives
- -Lengthen the main muscle groups after work
- -Give players ownership of the cool down
- -Close the session calmly
Setup
- 1A wide circle with players spaced an arm's length apart in a 12 x 12 yards area.
- 2Write three personal challenges on a cone at each station.
- 3One ball for the talking point.
Coaching instructions
- 1Players take turns leading a stretch for the group.
- 2Hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds without bouncing.
- 3The ball is passed to whoever speaks next.
- 4Players pick the challenge level they want to attempt first.
- 5Each player logs a personal best and tries to beat it next week.
Coaching points
- -Hold, don't bounce
- -Breathe out into the stretch
- -Every player leads one
- -Pick a level that is hard but achievable
Common mistakes
- -Rushing through the holds
- -Coach doing all the talking
- -Choosing the easy level every time
Where this drill fits
- More football cool downs drills
- football drills for U8s
- football drills for U10s
- football drills for U12s
- football drills for U14s
- football drills for U16s
- football drills for beginners
- Football session plans built around this theme