Not playing hard at the start of game - how to improve my team's start?

Sportplan TeamAdministrator, United Kingdom

Hi Larry,

We've searched through the previously answered questions and came across this one which seems to be very similar to yours:

Question: Slow starts in the 7s games

Hope this helps and that you get more responses from other coaches for ideas to try and perk your side up at the start of their game.

All the best,
The Sportplan Team

JOEL BONNAUDCoach, United States of America

Hi Larry, 

2 elements I have in mind:

1/ Warm-up length and time lapse between warm-up and actual kick-off. I personally run the warm-up (15 to 20mn long top) as close as possible to the kick-off. That way, players don't have the opportunity to lose focus, they stay on top of it up to the beginning. As well, in terms of content - as stated in the previous answer - I end the warm-up with some real phase play...

2/ Within the few words before kick-off, I always ask my players to solely focus on one thing: the kick-off itself. Whether we receive or kick, what is our first step, what do we do first? And I'm looking straight at them and they must speak up and say out loud what they will do... Usually, when I have satisfying answers (accurate and detailed), our first 10mn are not a problem...

Hope this can help.
All the best!

Larry BerriochoaOther, United States of America

Thanks all for your comments.  I appreciate the response.  We implemented a more focused and basic warm up ending as close to kick off as possible and it seems to be working!  Thanks Joel!