Warm-up is an important part of preparation for competitive performance, while cool-down contributes to more effective recovery after competition. Despite their important role, both are often planned and performed in volleyball practice without a clear connection to the physiological, motor, and competitive demands of the game, as well as without considering age-related differences between players. The aim of this master’s thesis was to develop professionally grounded and practically applicable warm-up and cool-down models for two age groups of volleyball players: players under 18 years of age and players over 18 years of age. Based on a review of professional and scientific literature, an analysis of the characteristics of volleyball, and the physiological and neuromuscular demands placed on athletes, a warm-up model and a cool-down model were developed. The role of stretching, activation, and recovery in the athlete preparation process was also considered. The findings show that appropriately structured warm-up and cool-down contribute to reduced injury risk, improved movement quality, enhanced competitive performance, and support more effective recovery. The developed models allow coaches to adapt the content according to players’ age, skill level, and training characteristics while maintaining key physiological and motor effects.
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