Pre-pitch routines matter because they prepare your body and brain for match-speed before the first sprint, cut, or contact.
- Injury prevention: They raise body temperature, “wake up” key stabilizers (ankles, hips, trunk), and expose tissues to gradual intensity—so you’re not going from cold → max speed in one play.
- Performance optimization: You switch on the nervous system for faster reactions, sharper first steps, better coordination, and cleaner mechanics in sprinting, jumping, and changing direction.
- Consistency: A repeatable routine creates rhythm and confidence—so you start games ready, not searching for the feeling.
Simple line: The warm-up is your insurance policy and your performance switch.