August 28, 2023

8 Dynamic Stretches for Soccer You Can’t Skip

What is dynamic stretching?  

Dynamic stretching involves the active and controlled movement of muscles and joints through a full range of motion. Unlike static stretching, where you hold a stretch in a stationary position, dynamic stretching mimics the motions and activities you’re about to engage in.

Dynamic stretching can be a fun and effective warm-up routine for both kids and adults who play soccer. It helps to prepare your body for the physical demands of the game and can be a great way to interact with your team before you hit the field.

The goal of dynamic stretching is to gradually increase your heart rate, blood flow, and muscle temperature while simultaneously preparing your muscles, tendons, and joints for the demands of the game. But you should be cautious about stretching in a controlled manner—without pushing your muscles to their limits. The goal is to gently stretch and activate your muscles, not to cause discomfort or strain.

In this article, we’ll explore the top eight dynamic stretches from TOCA Football, tailored to the needs of soccer players. But before that, let’s jump in and take a closer look at the benefits of dynamic stretching and the optimal duration for a dynamic stretching routine.

Benefits of Dynamic Stretching  

Dynamic stretching movements help reduce soreness and improve flexibility, enhance range of motion, activate muscles, and stimulate the nervous system in a way that primes your body for optimal performance.

American athlete, Edwin Moses, said, “I never struggled with injury problems because of my preparation—in particular my stretching.”

Dynamic stretching has a myriad of benefits, the most important one being reduced risk of injuries. Here’s a brief list of the various ways in which dynamic stretching can help you shine on the soccer field.

  • Improved muscle function: Enhances muscle coordination and activation, optimizing their responsiveness during active movements.
  • Increased blood flow: Boosts circulation by delivering oxygen and nutrients to muscles.
  • Reduced risk of harm: Warms up muscles and increases tissue elasticity.
  • Better overall performance: Readies the body for dynamic actions by enhancing agility, speed, and overall soccer performance.
  • Increased flexibility and joint mobility: Expands muscle and joint range to help you maneuver effectively on the field.

When and how long should you stretch?  

Dynamic stretching should be a part of your warm-up routine, ideally before your practice sessions, after cooling down, before soccer matches, and after post-training sessions. You can spend ten to fifteen minutes stretching, dedicating 20 to 30 seconds for each dynamic stretch. You mustn’t rush through the stretches but focus on gently activating and mobilizing your muscles and joints.

The repetition of each dynamic stretching can vary based on your individual preferences and requirements. You can adjust the routing to suit your comfort levels, but ensure to strike a balance between effectively warming up and avoiding overexertion.

8 Dynamic Stretches for Soccer You Can’t Skip  

Whether you're an aspiring amateur or a seasoned enthusiast, integrating these soccer stretches into your pre-game ritual will help you unlock your full soccer potential.

1. Butt-kicks  


Image Source

Butt kicks help warm up your leg muscles, increase circulation, and improve the range of motion around the hip and knee joints. To perform butt-kicks:

  • Maintain an upright posture with your feet positioned at a width equivalent to your hips.
  • Start jogging in place, lifting one heel towards your glutes while keeping the other foot on the ground.
  • As you jog, continue alternating your legs, lifting each heel towards your glutes in a kicking motion.

2. Walking Toe Touch  


Image Source

Toe-touch walks help warm up your hamstrings, improve flexibility and promote a better range of motion in the lower body. To perform walking toe touch:

  • Maintain an upright posture with your feet positioned at a width equivalent to your hips.
  • Start by bending at the hips and reaching your hands towards your toes.
  • Take small steps forward and continue reaching down toward your toes with each step.

3. High-knees  


Image Source

High-knees is yet another dynamic stretching exercise that helps warm up the lower body, improve flexibility, and activate the hip flexors and core muscles. To perform high-knees:

  • Maintain an upright posture with your feet positioned at a width equivalent to your hips.
  • Start jogging in place, lifting your knees toward your chest with each step.
  • As you jog, alternative lifting each knee as high as comfortable.

4. Closed-knees  

This dynamic stretch warms up the hips, improves mobility, and activates the muscles in your hamstrings and calves. To perform closed knees stretch:

  • Maintain an upright posture with your feet positioned at a width equivalent to your hips.
  • Swing one leg forward and upward, positioning your knee at a 90-degree angle.
  • After swinging the leg forward, swing it back behind you in a controlled manner.
  • Switch and repeat the same motion in the other leg.

5. Open-knees  

Much similar to the previous exercise, open-knees contribute to the same benefits but require you to move your legs in and out. To perform open knees:

  • Maintain an upright posture with your feet positioned at a width equivalent to your hips.
  • Start by swinging one leg inward across your body while keeping your toes pointing forward.
  • Raise your knee toward the leg on the opposite side until it forms a 90-degree angle.
  • After bringing the leg inward, swing it outward away from your body, moving your leg in a semi-circular motion.
  • Switch and repeat the same motion in the other leg.

6. Leg Swing  

Leg swings promote blood circulation in your limbs. To perform leg swings:

  • Maintain an upright posture with your feet positioned at a width equivalent to your hips.
  • Keeping one leg straight or with a slight bend in the knee, gently swing it forward and then backward, resembling a pendulum.
  • Start with small and gentle swings and gradually increase the height of the swing as you feel more comfortable and warmed up.
  • Switch and repeat the same motion in the other leg.  

7. Lateral Hip Swing  


Image Source

This dynamic stretching exercise is great for enhancing your hip joint flexibility and improving specific movements, balance, and coordination on the lateral side. To perform lateral hip swing:

  • Maintain an upright posture with your feet positioned at a width equivalent to your hips.
  • Keeping one leg straight or slightly bent, swing it out to the side in a lateral motion along a horizontal line.
  • Switch and repeat the same motion in the other leg.

8. Arm Circles  


Image Source

Arm circles warm up your shoulder joints, increase blood flow to your upper body, and improve shoulder flexibility. To perform arm circles:

  • Maintain an upright posture with your feet positioned at a width equivalent to your hips.
  • Extend both arms out to the sides, parallel to the ground, forming a “T” shape.
  • Start making small circular rotations with your arms by moving them forward.
  • Gradually increase the pace and size of the rotation.
  • Switch to circling your arms in the opposite direction, making backward circles.  

Prepare for Optimal Performance with TOCA Football  

Dynamic soccer stretching has emerged as an indispensable tool to boost athletic performance, injury prevention, and improved overall flexibility. By eating the right foods and seamlessly integrating these eight types of stretches into your pre-game rituals, you're not only priming your body for the game but also setting the stage for remarkable strides on the field.

To help you experience a sensational soccer game with the right stretching program and on-field play, consider TOCA Football’s soccer programs for all ages. Offering experiences tailored to every member of your family, our TOCA community presents a spectrum of opportunities, ranging from weekly adult leagues to seasonal camps designed for kids.

Excited to dive into the TOCA experience? Book your free kickoff session today and get ready to embark on this exciting journey!

 


What is dynamic stretching?  

Dynamic stretching involves the active and controlled movement of muscles and joints through a full range of motion. Unlike static stretching, where you hold a stretch in a stationary position, dynamic stretching mimics the motions and activities you’re about to engage in.

Dynamic stretching can be a fun and effective warm-up routine for both kids and adults who play soccer. It helps to prepare your body for the physical demands of the game and can be a great way to interact with your team before you hit the field.

The goal of dynamic stretching is to gradually increase your heart rate, blood flow, and muscle temperature while simultaneously preparing your muscles, tendons, and joints for the demands of the game. But you should be cautious about stretching in a controlled manner—without pushing your muscles to their limits. The goal is to gently stretch and activate your muscles, not to cause discomfort or strain.

In this article, we’ll explore the top eight dynamic stretches from TOCA Football, tailored to the needs of soccer players. But before that, let’s jump in and take a closer look at the benefits of dynamic stretching and the optimal duration for a dynamic stretching routine.

Benefits of Dynamic Stretching  

Dynamic stretching movements help reduce soreness and improve flexibility, enhance range of motion, activate muscles, and stimulate the nervous system in a way that primes your body for optimal performance.

American athlete, Edwin Moses, said, “I never struggled with injury problems because of my preparation—in particular my stretching.”

Dynamic stretching has a myriad of benefits, the most important one being reduced risk of injuries. Here’s a brief list of the various ways in which dynamic stretching can help you shine on the soccer field.

  • Improved muscle function: Enhances muscle coordination and activation, optimizing their responsiveness during active movements.
  • Increased blood flow: Boosts circulation by delivering oxygen and nutrients to muscles.
  • Reduced risk of harm: Warms up muscles and increases tissue elasticity.
  • Better overall performance: Readies the body for dynamic actions by enhancing agility, speed, and overall soccer performance.
  • Increased flexibility and joint mobility: Expands muscle and joint range to help you maneuver effectively on the field.

When and how long should you stretch?  

Dynamic stretching should be a part of your warm-up routine, ideally before your practice sessions, after cooling down, before soccer matches, and after post-training sessions. You can spend ten to fifteen minutes stretching, dedicating 20 to 30 seconds for each dynamic stretch. You mustn’t rush through the stretches but focus on gently activating and mobilizing your muscles and joints.

The repetition of each dynamic stretching can vary based on your individual preferences and requirements. You can adjust the routing to suit your comfort levels, but ensure to strike a balance between effectively warming up and avoiding overexertion.

8 Dynamic Stretches for Soccer You Can’t Skip  

Whether you're an aspiring amateur or a seasoned enthusiast, integrating these soccer stretches into your pre-game ritual will help you unlock your full soccer potential.

1. Butt-kicks  


Image Source

Butt kicks help warm up your leg muscles, increase circulation, and improve the range of motion around the hip and knee joints. To perform butt-kicks:

  • Maintain an upright posture with your feet positioned at a width equivalent to your hips.
  • Start jogging in place, lifting one heel towards your glutes while keeping the other foot on the ground.
  • As you jog, continue alternating your legs, lifting each heel towards your glutes in a kicking motion.

2. Walking Toe Touch  


Image Source

Toe-touch walks help warm up your hamstrings, improve flexibility and promote a better range of motion in the lower body. To perform walking toe touch:

  • Maintain an upright posture with your feet positioned at a width equivalent to your hips.
  • Start by bending at the hips and reaching your hands towards your toes.
  • Take small steps forward and continue reaching down toward your toes with each step.

3. High-knees  


Image Source

High-knees is yet another dynamic stretching exercise that helps warm up the lower body, improve flexibility, and activate the hip flexors and core muscles. To perform high-knees:

  • Maintain an upright posture with your feet positioned at a width equivalent to your hips.
  • Start jogging in place, lifting your knees toward your chest with each step.
  • As you jog, alternative lifting each knee as high as comfortable.

4. Closed-knees  

This dynamic stretch warms up the hips, improves mobility, and activates the muscles in your hamstrings and calves. To perform closed knees stretch:

  • Maintain an upright posture with your feet positioned at a width equivalent to your hips.
  • Swing one leg forward and upward, positioning your knee at a 90-degree angle.
  • After swinging the leg forward, swing it back behind you in a controlled manner.
  • Switch and repeat the same motion in the other leg.

5. Open-knees  

Much similar to the previous exercise, open-knees contribute to the same benefits but require you to move your legs in and out. To perform open knees:

  • Maintain an upright posture with your feet positioned at a width equivalent to your hips.
  • Start by swinging one leg inward across your body while keeping your toes pointing forward.
  • Raise your knee toward the leg on the opposite side until it forms a 90-degree angle.
  • After bringing the leg inward, swing it outward away from your body, moving your leg in a semi-circular motion.
  • Switch and repeat the same motion in the other leg.

6. Leg Swing  

Leg swings promote blood circulation in your limbs. To perform leg swings:

  • Maintain an upright posture with your feet positioned at a width equivalent to your hips.
  • Keeping one leg straight or with a slight bend in the knee, gently swing it forward and then backward, resembling a pendulum.
  • Start with small and gentle swings and gradually increase the height of the swing as you feel more comfortable and warmed up.
  • Switch and repeat the same motion in the other leg.  

7. Lateral Hip Swing  


Image Source

This dynamic stretching exercise is great for enhancing your hip joint flexibility and improving specific movements, balance, and coordination on the lateral side. To perform lateral hip swing:

  • Maintain an upright posture with your feet positioned at a width equivalent to your hips.
  • Keeping one leg straight or slightly bent, swing it out to the side in a lateral motion along a horizontal line.
  • Switch and repeat the same motion in the other leg.

8. Arm Circles  


Image Source

Arm circles warm up your shoulder joints, increase blood flow to your upper body, and improve shoulder flexibility. To perform arm circles:

  • Maintain an upright posture with your feet positioned at a width equivalent to your hips.
  • Extend both arms out to the sides, parallel to the ground, forming a “T” shape.
  • Start making small circular rotations with your arms by moving them forward.
  • Gradually increase the pace and size of the rotation.
  • Switch to circling your arms in the opposite direction, making backward circles.  

Prepare for Optimal Performance with TOCA Football  

Dynamic soccer stretching has emerged as an indispensable tool to boost athletic performance, injury prevention, and improved overall flexibility. By eating the right foods and seamlessly integrating these eight types of stretches into your pre-game rituals, you're not only priming your body for the game but also setting the stage for remarkable strides on the field.

To help you experience a sensational soccer game with the right stretching program and on-field play, consider TOCA Football’s soccer programs for all ages. Offering experiences tailored to every member of your family, our TOCA community presents a spectrum of opportunities, ranging from weekly adult leagues to seasonal camps designed for kids.

Excited to dive into the TOCA experience? Book your free kickoff session today and get ready to embark on this exciting journey!

 


Connect with us

Thank you!

Your message has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.