How To Write A Training Session Plan
How To Write A Training Session Plan
General Parameters
Do not plan too many activities in a single session
Stay focused on your topic
After each session, evaluate the activities by asking the following questions:
• Was the activity too easy, too hard or appropriate to the players’
capabilities?
• Did things flow smoothly?
• Did the players learn?
2. Including the Modified Laws of the Game for the Age Group
Factors to Consider:
Laws of the Game for the Age Group
In planning the training
session be sure to account for
the modified rules to the Laws
of the Game for the age
group.
A good coach though is flexible, as it will occasionally happen that not all of the players
planned for will show up at the training session.
Be adaptable!
Consider how you can keep all of the players active in the training session.
For example if an activity calls for six players to be involved – possibly a 3v3 game.
However, there are twelve players at the training session. Then set up two grids side by
side. The same activity can take place in both grids. You go back and forth between
the two grids coaching the players.
Factors to Consider:
Length of the Training Session
The length of the training session depends on the age group and the days of the week
that you have games and training sessions (Also called your weekly cycle.4 )
Here are some age group guidelines for the length of a training session:
– U6 = 45 minutes
– U8 = 45 to 60 minutes
– U10 = 60 to 75 minutes
– U12 = 75 minutes
– U14 = 75 to 90 minutes
– U16 = 90 minutes
– U19 = 90 to 120 minutes
Once you know the training space available then consider for each training activity the
size and shape of grids. Grids are sometimes needed to conduct an activity, but not
always. Generally a grid is rectangular in shape – like a soccer field. Do though
change the shape and dimensions of the grid based on the objective of the activity.
Field Space Available
Grids can be set up in open space or use
existing field markings to help distinguish
the area.
Grid
Samples
Grid Samples
Weather Conditions
If the temperatures are extremely hot or cold then a shorter training session is in
order.
If the wind is blowing strongly that day then for example a training session on crossing
is unlikely.
Objective of Each Activity
The training session must have a topic. That topic could be anything within the four
components of the game.
– Fitness
– Psychology
– Tactics
– Technique5
The teaching objective of each activity in the session plan must guide the players toward
the topic of the training session.
You must understand the objective of each activity in order to design it properly.
– Then coach the players correctly within the activity.
5. Details on technique can be found in the US Youth Soccer Skills School Manual.
Approximate Time per Activity
The amount of time spent on each activity in a training session is an approximation.
While it is fine to note on your session plan the time allotted to each activity, do not
restrict the activity to that time.
If an activity is going poorly then you may want to stop and move onto the next
activity.
If an activity is going well then give it more time than what you had originally planned.
Weekly Cycle
Coaches at every age group and level of play must have a weekly cycle planned for the
team. That is the number of training sessions and matches per week.6
Consider when in the week are the matches and the training sessions.
Do not conduct a long or physically heavy training session with less than 48 hours
recovery time until the next match.
A training session could be held the day before a match, but it should be relatively
short and light in the workout load.
Consider using:
• Non-contact fun games
• Soccer marbles
• Soccer golf
Demanding matches require a recovery
• Light exercise – with and without the ball
training session
• Juggling the ball
• Slow jogging
• Easy dynamic stretching
• Static stretching and massage for older
players
Include on the Plan
Topic
The topic of a training session must first and foremost be age appropriate. What
topics should be taught from U6 to U19 are available in the US Youth Soccer
Player Development Model.7
A training session topic should also be based on the capabilities of the players.
Age Group
Your session plan must be age specific.
You must have a first aid kit, a ball pump and your own water bottle.
At the top of your session plan write out the equipment that you’ll need for that
training session. Use only the equipment you’ll need to conduct a productive training
session. Manage the equipment throughout the training session.
Activity Description
On the session plan briefly write out the rules of the activity and the equipment needed.
For example:
– Six-Goal Game
– 4 vs. 4 + 2 + 2
• Use the plus two target players on your team for passing combinations
• Score at any of the three goals
– Variation: cannot score at the same goal consecutively
– One ball (spares with the coach)
– Four cones
– 12 corner flags
– Six white pinnies | Six red pinnies (pinnies must be of contrasting colors)
Activity Diagram
For each activity draw a simple diagram that shows the dimensions and shape of the
playing area, the location of goals (if any), location of cones (if any), placement of corner
flags or other markers (if any).
Key Coaching Points
For each activity in the session plan, note the key coaching points that you’ll emphasize
during the activity.
The question must be on the main teaching objective of the activity. So for the six goal game the
question will be about width.
– “How do you open up space between and behind the defenders to give you a chance to
go at any of your three goals?”
A question could be asked at the beginning of the activity, during the flow of play, at a natural
stoppage of the activity, such as the ball out of bounds or when you have paused (freeze) the
activity.
Players need to solve soccer challenges, so between giving too much information and too little,
lean toward the too little side – too many coaches talk too much.
The overall objective of guided discovery questions is to have the players solve the soccer
challenge given to them by their coach in the training activity. Guided discovery will aid the
players in reading the game, thus becoming “anticipation players”.8
With older players, let them know what you will cover that day. Ask for their best effort, which
increases the odds of a great session.
U.S. Soccer
Best Practices (http://www.ussoccer.com/Coaches/Resources.aspx)
Curriculum (http://www.ussoccer.com/Coaches/Coaching-Education/Coaching-Home.aspx)
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