3 Fast & High Tempo Warm-Up Games For Pre-Season

It's almost a given that a possession-based team will start a session with some kind of rondo activity - but the choice of rondo can prove to be the difference between a high tempo session, and a low tempo one. This week on the MSC Breakdown, we take a look at some ways that coaches can create more movement and intensity in their warm-up games, in order to prepare the players, mentally and physically, for a pre-season session ahead. If you enjoy the ideas, please check out our MSC Six Week Pre-Season Training Program (with 18 full session plans and a webinar to go alongside it). You can get your copy here.

You can watch the full breakdown below. If you enjoy the content, please 'like' and subscribe to the MSC YouTube page.

You can also get the breakdown of each rondo here:

5v2 Ajax Warm-Up

• Players are organized into two teams of five

• Each team starts in a 20x20 yard square, with three mini-goals

• On the coaches signal, a ball is played into one of the areas and two defensive players must go across

• With a 5v2 now created, the possession team are looking to complete five passes before scoring in any of the mini-goals

• If they are successful, the coach restarts the game in the same zone and two new defenders must come across

• If the defensive team win possession, they must play the ball back across to their own square and the roles simply switch

• Play 4x3 minute games with a 90 second recovery between each one

3v2+2 Transfer Game

• Ten players are organized into two teams of four plus two neutrals (this is a great game to involve GKs in the possession work)

• Game takes place in a 15x20 yard pentagon area

• Possession team starts with two players in each zone and one neutral occupies the highest points in the zone

• Four defensive players start in the middle

• Game starts in one zone with two defenders going to press and two defenders staying in the middle to screen

• Objective of the 3v2 is to use the overload to move the pressing pair and transfer the ball to the other side for one point

• If defenders win the ball, they can score in either mini-goals for two points

• Play 4x4 minute games and change roles each time

5v3 Transition Rondo

• Twelve players are organized into two teams of five players each and two goalkeepers.

• The exercise takes place in a 20x30 area with a 15x15 yard square in the middle.

• One teams starts off as the possession team (blue team), with all their players in the central grid.

• The opponents will start as the defensive team and have three players in the square and one player on each side.

• The possession team begin with the ball in the square and look to make as many consecutive passes as possible. After 5 consecutive passes, they can score in the mini-goals for one point.

• If the defensive team win possession, they look to play out to either outside players and then attack the closest goal immediately.

• All players can go in support during the transition, both offensively and defensively.

• Play 3x3 minute games with one-minute recovery and rotate players after each set.