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Cool Downs

Wave Walk and Talk Cool Down

Bring the heart rate down gradually

Cool Downs
Warm Ups

Wave Walk and Talk 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
Warm Ups
Cool Down
Beginner
Intermediate
Full Squad
Minimal Equipment
Foundation Phase
Youth Friendly
Adult Suitable
Quick 10 Minutes
Continuous

Duration

8 min

Players

2-24

Pitch size

26 x 14 yards

Ability levels

Beginner / Intermediate

Pitch diagram

Pitch set-up: Wave Walk and Talk Cool Down1226 x 14 yards

Wave Walk and Talk Cool Down — Circle — pass around and through · 26 x 14 yards

Step 1 of 5Players walk the loop in small groups at conversation pace.

  1. 1. Players walk the loop in small groups at conversation pace.
  2. 2. Each group answers one reflection question from the coach.
  3. 3. Finish in a circle with light stretching.
  4. 4. Each wave sets off two seconds after the one in front.
  5. 5. Every wave completes six journeys before the practice ends.
  • 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
  • -Reflect on the session while moving
  • -Finish with the group together

Setup

  1. 1A gentle walking loop marked with cones in a 26 x 14 yards area.
  2. 2Form three waves of players behind the start line.
  3. 3A few balls for light passing on the loop.

Coaching instructions

  1. 1Players walk the loop in small groups at conversation pace.
  2. 2Each group answers one reflection question from the coach.
  3. 3Finish in a circle with light stretching.
  4. 4Each wave sets off two seconds after the one in front.
  5. 5Every wave completes six journeys before the practice ends.

Coaching points

  • -Conversation pace throughout
  • -Deep, steady breathing
  • -Everybody contributes one thought
  • -Stay in your wave so the picture stays clear

Common mistakes

  • -Racing the loop
  • -Skipping the cool down entirely
  • -Waves bunching into one crowd

Where this drill fits

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