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Cool Downs

Relay Stretch Circle Cool Down

Lengthen the main muscle groups after work

Cool Downs

Relay 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
Competitive

Duration

8 min

Players

2-24

Pitch size

14 x 14 yards

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate

Pitch diagram

Pitch set-up: Relay Stretch Circle Cool Down1214 x 14 yards

Relay Stretch Circle Cool Down — Circle — pass around and through · 14 x 14 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. First player goes on the whistle and tags the next on return.
  5. 5. First team to complete three full rotations wins the round.
  • 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 14 x 14 yards area.
  2. 2Split into teams of three or four behind separate start cones.
  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. 4First player goes on the whistle and tags the next on return.
  5. 5First team to complete three full rotations wins the round.

Coaching points

  • -Hold, don't bounce
  • -Breathe out into the stretch
  • -Every player leads one
  • -Control before speed — a lost ball costs more than a slow run

Common mistakes

  • -Rushing through the holds
  • -Coach doing all the talking
  • -Setting off before the tag

Where this drill fits

Build a session with this drill

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