442 PERFORMANCE APPLICATION

Welcome to the first edition of performance, a Four Four Two coaching initiative.

In this weeks edition of The Round Ball Blog we will be highlighting the importance of organisation in your training programs.

First of all, lets get your first session of year sorted for you. Get there early, set up your drills, I like to use cones in grids that can be easily moved around to expand the training area as your session progresses.

x x x x x
x x x x x

Greet each parent as they arrive and introduce yourself to each new parent and welcome them to the session. I like to have a handout ready with a few organisational pointers, time of sessions, required training items like shin pads and water bottle, my mobile number and so on.
As each player arrives get them started on warming up, they can start passing with a friend in the grids set up earlier and this will make a easy transition later on.
When the session begins bring the group together and discuss the objective of the session and the content to be covered.
I like to have short and sharp sessions that keep the players on their toes, no standing around and no lines whenever possible. I like 75 minute training sessions but I am aware that most coaches find 90 minutes ideal.

Here is a common break-down for a 90 minute session

Warm-up 15 minutes (5 minutes light jogging, 10 minutes stretch)

Soccer Drills 10 minutes (1st Drill)

10 minutes (2nd Drill)

10 minutes (3rd Drill)

Fitness 30 minutes

Game 10 minutes

Cool Down 5 minutes

If you use this as a rough guide you can easily change the time values and number of drills performed to suit your needs for each session.
The first drills at training are vital, they need to capture the attention of the players and they set the standard for the entire session. After setting the goals of the session the warm up follows, now there are heaps of great warm ups around however I tend to like the Coerver Drills both with and without the ball and the FIFA 11+ Warm Up is great to cover the essential requirements. it can be downloaded at...

http://f-marc.com/11plus/index.html

The cards are very good and can be added to your coaches notes and I also like the beginner, intermediate and advanced options.
Yes, that is a good point, a coaching scrapbook or folder with drills added is a great way to keep track of the drills you pick up at workshops or in observations of other coaches.
I like to keep session notes as a record and for reflection, if something doesn't work, change it and note the changes, that way you will avoid the same mistakes next time around.

(Thats all I can fit in to the 500 words, hope it is okay?)