Cooling Down Phase for Soccer Training - A Coach's Perspective and Focal Point

Cooling down,accomplishments.When a group of individuals gets
I term this the reflection phase. It is a time totogether and focuses on something other than the
prepare for physical and mental relaxation. Thisimmediate task at hand then the task becomes
includes stretching and flexibility work as well as lightanother routine within the training regime.
group jogging and limbering down exercises.This isThis is switching the focus from the actual cooling
the time of mental reflection of the practice, gamedown process and focuses on the socialization aspect
or even the day's events.This is especially neccesaryof cooling down. It deals with the fresh experiences
while at and during tournamentsThis important phasethat have just occured. Let the team discuss the
is usually over-looked by most teams as they areevents first before the coach talks or the meeting is
trying to either celebrate the win or discuss the lossheld in the locker room. Young minds need to also
and any related issues. If this aspect is incorporatedvoice opinions to each other before they talk to the
every practice then it will be a natural process afterlarger group. This helps build unity within and a power
the games as well. Yes the practices need toof responsibility throughout.It is a time to also talk
incorporate warm up as well as cool down.about the other aspects of sports activities. These
Apart from the physiology of increasing strengthare nutritional and additional aspects of concentrating
through stretching regimes. This helps the teamon mental focus.Steve September of On The Ball
members understand their bodies and it's needs.It isSoccer Training has been involved in soccer for over
also a great time for the coaches to get feed backforty years and on three continents. As a player,
on the events. This gets the team to contribute toplayer coach and high performance coach Steve
their immediate experiences, whether is be awants to share the knowledge and experiences with
competition or practice. It helps everybody paint aall levels of people involved in the soccer scene.
mental picture of their collective