Priming the Brain, Sparking the Joy: The Power of Warm-Up Games →

Warm-Up Games: More Than Just Fun

When kids arrive at training and the first thing they see is a game, it’s easy to think it’s just for fun. A way to burn some energy before the “real” session starts. But warm-up games are far more than that. They’re one of the most powerful tools we have as coaches.

Why? Because they work on three levels at once: the brain, the body, and the motivation system.

1. Priming the brain.
Warm-up games activate focus, decision-making, and awareness. They switch athletes from “everyday mode” into “training mode.” Instead of standing in lines waiting for instructions, players are instantly engaged. Scanning, moving, solving problems. Their brains are alert and ready to learn.

2. Hitting multiple developmental targets.
A single game can build agility, coordination, communication, and tactical thinking all at once. Small-sided tag variations, for example, train balance, reactions, and spatial awareness while also encouraging creativity. The beauty is in the overlap: one activity, many benefits.

3. Creating the joy–joy-consistency loop.
When training starts with play, kids associate practice with enjoyment. That joy is what keeps them coming back. And consistency — showing up, again and again — is the foundation of long-term growth. Without it, no amount of perfect drills will matter.

So no, warm-up games aren’t “just for fun.” They’re scientifically powerful. They prepare the brain, develop the body in holistic ways, and build the motivation to keep going.

As coaches, we should embrace them not as fillers, but as vital building blocks. Because when players are primed, developed, and motivated, growth doesn’t just happen faster, it sticks.

And that’s the real purpose of a warm-up game: not to pass the time, but to unlock potential.