The Warm Up practice segment is the first portion of practice. If an Early Activity was offered, Warm Up signals the beginning of official practice. It should be started on time and conducted for roughly 10 minutes. Dugout Captain recommends executing the warm up inside of the “Dynamic Box” – a set of nine red, white, and blue cones.

EXECUTION – Divide the athletes evenly behind three red cones set on the foul line (2-3 yards apart). Walk out five yards for a half-way cone (white) and another five yards for the end cone (blue). Athletes will move from red, through white, and stop at blue. Always moving on a coach’s verbal, the atheltes will turn around and return to the red cone when appropriate. Mix up the routine appropriately with age-specific exercises designed to prepare athletes’ minds and bodies for practice.

DC KEYS

1. Get a Sweat – Primary goal of the warm up is not to “stretch” cold muscles. Rather, it is to get blood pumping and muscles warm.  Move!
2. Dynamic Movements – Use movement-based exercises as part of the warm up (see specific DC drills for a list of suggested movements)
3. Choose Leaders Wisely – Consider making stretch-line leaders a reward for effort at practice. Or, place your most challenging personalities into a position of leadership. Doing this can really turn an athlete around!

EQUIPMENT LIST