How you prepare for competition on the pitch can make a big difference in your performance. A study published in The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness compared the effects of static stretching to other warm up protocols.

Analyzing 27 peer-reviewed papers published between 1995 and 2015, researchers determined that using dynamic stretching or postactivation potentiation-based exercises enhanced on-field performance by 3.46% and 4.21% respectively while the FIFA 11+ warm up increased strength, jumping, speed and explosive performance by between 1% and 20%.

Postactivation potentiation practices and multidirectional speed drills were also considered effective half time re-warm up protocols. Static stretching either before the game or at half time reduced performance.