The shape of a good session
In short: One focus, mostly games, a question at the start and the same question at the end.
A shape that works at any age
- Intro (about 5 minutes): a welcome, one focus for today, one question to keep in mind.
- Warm-up game (5 to 10 minutes): a tag or dribbling game with a ball each beats laps and static stretching for young players.
- Skill focus (10 to 15 minutes): introduce today's idea and build it up in two or three steps.
- Small-sided games (15 to 20 minutes): 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 with a rule that rewards today's focus.
- Game (10 to 15 minutes): let them play, and coach with questions.
- Wrap-up (about 5 minutes): what did we learn, what will you try next time, shout-outs.
One focus is plenty
It's tempting to cover dribbling, passing, shooting and defence in one hour. Players remember more when the whole session points at one idea, seen in several different activities.
Small things that make a big difference
- Set up before players arrive, so the first activity starts the moment they walk in.
- Plan the changeovers: who gets the bibs, where the balls go.
- Keep water breaks short and regular.
- Have one spare game ready in case something isn't working.
- Write down one thing that went well and one to change, while it's fresh.
Try this at your next practice
- Write next week's plan with one focus and at least half the minutes in games.
- Add an intro and a wrap-up block with a question in each.