Warm-Upπ₯ πΎ π₯
Please click here for YouTube link for warmup tutorial
π§ Purpose
To activate childrenβs bodies, improve balance and coordination, and get them engaged and smiling before the session begins!
π Set-Up
π Use one colour of round cones in a large circle in the middle of the space
πΆ Optional: play fun music to get energy levels up
β No rackets or balls at the start β just bodies, cones, and imagination
πΆ How to Begin
π― Start with basic warm-up movements inside the circle:
o β¨ Star jumps
o 𦡠One-leg balance
o π€Έ Gentle stretches
π Children then move around the cone circle in different ways:
o πΆ Walk
o π March
o π Jog
o π Backwards
o π¦ Crab walk IMPORTANT!
o π Horse gallops
π§ Coach shouts βFreeze!β intermittently β kids stop and hold a pose or balance!
π§± Obstacle Challenge Build-Up
Coaches begin to add progressively challenging obstacles to the circle as warm-up continues:
π Movement Obstacles
πΆ Cone Lines β jump over two-foot lines
π Traffic Cones β higher jumps (π§βπ€βπ§ parents can assist little ones)
π Cone Snake β place cones in zigzag to step between (two feet either side)
π Slalom β weave through a line of cones
πͺ Gate Game β βopen and closeβ gate shapes with legs
π§ Crawling & Balance Challenges
π― Pole Crawl β tall cones + poles to crawl under
πͺ Ladder Hops β hop through agility ladder
πΆStepping stones (throw down dots)
πͺ΅ Walk the Plank β throw-down lines like tightrope
π Tyre Run β jump between hoops like a boot camp
π§€ Ball + Balance Add-Ons
πͺ Add rackets + beanbags β balance while walking
πΎ Coach rolls footballs slowly as moving obstacle
π₯ Coach frisbees cones gently toward feet (kids dodge them!)
π« Use foam balls to fire at footballs in path β kids must avoid!
π£ Feathers (For Younger Tots)
π¬ Narrate movements (βLetβs march like soldiers!β)
ποΈ Encourage parent/assistant to hold hands for support
πͺΆ Remove difficult jumps/slaloms if too tricky
βοΈ Coach Tips
π£οΈ Give BIG energy and be silly β kids will copy you
π Adjust pace to suit group β add obstacles gradually
π Praise effort and bravery, not perfection
π Mix imagination (e.g. βCrawl under the dragonβs tail!β)