Wave Ball and Body Warm Up

Objective

• -Raise the heart rate with a ball at every player's feet
• -Take the main joints through their range of movement
• -Start the session with energy and involvement

Setup

1. 1An open square with cones marking the outside edge in a 22 x 22 yards area.
2. 2Form three waves of players behind the start line.
3. 3One ball per player.

How to play

1. 1Players dribble freely, mixing surfaces and speeds.
2. 2On each coach call they add a mobility movement — lunges, hip openers, heel flicks.
3. 3Finish with 30 seconds of quick feet on the ball.
4. 4Each wave sets off two seconds after the one in front.
5. 5Every wave completes six journeys before the practice ends.

Progressions

• +Reduce the gap between waves
• +Raise the demand once the group is consistently successful

Regressions

• -Increase the gap and slow the tempo
• -Simplify the area or the service until success returns

Variations

• -Back wave starts facing away and turns on the whistle
• -Run the practice on the opposite side of the pitch

Common mistakes

• -Static stretching before movement
• -Starting at full intensity
• -Waves bunching into one crowd