Laps of the Pitch
The simplest way to raise the temperature: three or four laps of the pitch together at an easy, steady pace, running outside the corner cones.
- Age
- U13–Senior
- Players
- 1–30
- Duration
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Intensity
- Low
- Area
- Full pitch / open
- Type
- Physical
- Approach
- Analytical
- Format
- Circuit
- Objectives
- Physical: Endurance
- Concepts worked on
- Physical:Endurance
Training diagram
The group runs together around the outside of the corner cones, without cutting the corners.
Legend
- Attacker
- Run without ball
- Cone
- Goal
Laps of the pitch are basic and need no explanation, so the session can start straight away. At a pace where players can still talk, they raise heart rate and body temperature before work with the ball. Keep it short: it is a way in, not a fitness test. It also works at the end of the session as a very easy cool-down lap.
Objective
Raise heart rate and body temperature progressively with continuous, easy running before the main part of the session.
Organisation
- Full pitch with a cone at each corner, placed a metre outside the corner flag.
- The whole group starts together at one corner.
How it works
- First lap: very easy jog.
- Two or three more laps at a comfortable, steady pace (about 2–2.5 minutes per lap on a full-size pitch).
- The group stays together; nobody runs ahead of the first player.
- Always run outside the corner cones.
Coaching points
- Pace: players must be able to talk while they run.
- Upright posture, relaxed shoulders and arms.
- Steady breathing; no sprints or races.
Progressions
- Last lap: jog the goal lines and build up speed progressively along the touchlines.
Regressions
- Fewer laps or half a pitch.
- Walk along the goal lines and jog the touchlines.
Variations
- On each goal line, change the movement: skipping, side steps, heels to bottom.
- Cool-down: one or two very easy laps at the end of the session.
Key principles
- Easy and steady.
- The group runs together.
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