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Cool Downs

Recovery Stretch Circle Cool Down

Lengthen the main muscle groups after work

Cool Downs

Recovery 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 Downs
Cool Down
Beginner
Intermediate
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Foundation Phase
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Quick 10 Minutes
Recovery

Duration

8 min

Players

2-24

Pitch size

16 x 16 yards

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate

Pitch diagram

Pitch set-up: Recovery Stretch Circle Cool Down1216 x 16 yards

Recovery Stretch Circle Cool Down — Circle — pass around and through · 16 x 16 yards

Step 1 of 5Players take turns leading a stretch for the group.

  1. 1. Players take turns leading a stretch for the group.
  2. 2. Hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds without bouncing.
  3. 3. The ball is passed to whoever speaks next.
  4. 4. Players move at conversation pace throughout — no sprinting at all.
  5. 5. No score. Finish with the group in a circle for feedback.
  • 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

  1. 1A wide circle with players spaced an arm's length apart in a 16 x 16 yards area.
  2. 2Mark a wide, calm walking loop around the working area.
  3. 3One ball for the talking point.

Coaching instructions

  1. 1Players take turns leading a stretch for the group.
  2. 2Hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds without bouncing.
  3. 3The ball is passed to whoever speaks next.
  4. 4Players move at conversation pace throughout — no sprinting at all.
  5. 5No score. Finish with the group in a circle for feedback.

Coaching points

  • -Hold, don't bounce
  • -Breathe out into the stretch
  • -Every player leads one
  • -Breathe steadily and bring the heart rate down

Common mistakes

  • -Rushing through the holds
  • -Coach doing all the talking
  • -Turning a cool down into another competition

Where this drill fits

Build a session with this drill

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