Soccer Drills – Joint Exercises

FLEXIBILITY. What exactly does it mean when you play soccer?

It means that you have been doing your joint exercises during each warm-up and are now feeling the results. Doesn’t that feel good?

Now think about your joints and how they work when you’re playing the game. Why are your ankles, knees and hips so important and why must you continually exercise to keep them strong and flexible? Oh yeah, and don’t forget your shoulders, elbows and neck, they work hard, too.

When exercising your joint muscles for soccer, you should focus on those surrounding the hips and lower back, knees and ankles. They get a real workout. You should use two or three exercises for each joint and remember to stretch safely and regularly so that your muscles are warm before playing. (Why do you think they call it a warm-up?)

Be sure to stretch to the point of mild discomfort and hold the position for 10 to 30 seconds. Repeat, trying to stretch the muscle joint a bit further. (Don’t force the muscle to do more than it’s ready for – remember stretching should never be painful.) Oh, and don’t forget to perform the exercises on both sides. Also remember to relax and breathe, that’s important, too.

So, think about it. Soccer drills are absolutely necessary before heading out on to the field. These drills increase your flexibility while warming up your muscles and getting you ready to play. And, finally, warm muscles and sufficient conditioning assure improving your game and reducing the risk of injuries. Now doesn’t that sound like a good deal?