In order to be successful in coaching, the coach must be well prepared and plan ahead. The importance of planning cannot be underestimated.
A team’s training schedule should be organised and planned to ensure goals are achieved.
Contents
1. Phases of a Yearly Plan
2. The Weekly Plan
3. Training Session
4. The Training Session – In Season
5. Match Day
6. The Match
PHASES OF A YEARLY PLAN
A yearly training program has to be simple and flexible. All coaches should have a yearly plan dividing the training year into small phases.
Each of these phases will have specific training objectives. This enables the coach to work within manageable segments. It helps them ensure the team achieves the best possible performance at a set time.
The yearly plan is divided into 3 main phases of training:
1. Transition Phase (Off-Season)
2. Preparation Phase (Pre-Season)
3. Competition Phase (In-Season)
Note Well
All coaches should adopt an annual training program. A planned and systematic approach to training is crucial to the on-field success of the team. Prior to the planning of any phase of a new season, a thorough evaluation of the previous season must be conducted.
Individual player and team performance assessment should be carried out by the coach. This should include all aspects of team fitness, skills, match performances, nutrition, lifestyles and relationships between coaching staff and off field personnel.
1. Transition Phase
This period follows the intense competitive season. The aim during this time should be to maintain physical conditioning and facilitate recovery. The following principles apply to the transition phase:
- Maintain a general level of fitness.
- Change the training venue and alter the type of training.
- Analyse past performance and construct a yearly plan for the new season.
During this period players should stay active to maintain fitness. Off-season recreational activities are useful.
This period is the most suitable time for overcoming weaknesses in conditioning and skill.
2. Preparation Phase
During this time the player’s general physical preparation and skills can be developed.
The early phase is a period of high volume training which must be increased at a gradual rate. Volume continues to increase progressively until the middle of the preparation phase, when intensity is gradually increased as volume decreases. During the later stages of this phase increasing emphasis should be placed on skill and strategy practice.
The following principles apply:
- Provide a high volume of training.
- Aim to develop endurance, strength and speed as the foundation of the season ahead.
- Progressively increase the workload devoted to improving individual and team skills.
3. Competition Phase
During the competition phase coaches should emphasise skill practice and the development of team plays, while working to maintain fitness levels which were developed in the preparation phase.
Principles to apply include:
- Maintenance and improvement in level of conditioning.
- Develop and practise team plays and tactics.
- Reduction in the volume and intensity of training prior to the finals.
Coaching effectively is heavily dependent on how well the coach is organised and how effectively the training plan is structured.
THE WEEKLY PLAN
Just as the football year can be divided into 3 main phases (transition, preparation and competition) so too can these phases be further subdivided.
Training progresses in cycles of activity usually considered to be of 7 days duration. The format of these cycles will depend on the number of training sessions held each week.
In planning the typical competitive week the coach should take into account both the volume and intensity of the training. The coach must allow for the physical nature of the game and the limitations of the players in coping with heavy training loads without adequate rest.
Overtraining is a real problem and can lead to a sudden drop in performance. The coach must be able to evaluate all these factors in planning the weekly program.
The effective coach must monitor the players’ performances and tailor the volume and intensity of training to have the team at a peak prior to each match.
Most senior clubs organise 2 training sessions per week with rest days between sessions. A complete rest day or a light training session becomes an important consideration during the normal rigours of a Footy season. This ‘hard-easy’ approach to the planning of a weekly training program is a sound principle to follow. It allows players to progressively adapt to greater levels of work without suffering undue fatigue.
Sunday Rest
Monday Rest
Tuesday Footy training
Wednesday Rest
Thursday Footy training
Friday Rest
Saturday Match
Be Aware
The following training variations should be kept in mind:
- Senior or older players require less intensity of training.
- Avoidance of injuries during training is an important consideration.
TRAINING SESSION
The training session is the basic building block of coaching. At training, football skills are learned, conditioning and fitness levels are achieved and team confidence is developed.
In Footy, the training session will contain various drills set between a warm-up at the beginning and a cool down at the end. To decide on what drills are suitable for a particular session the coach must first evaluate the team performance and then plan for optimal practice time.
Goals should be established before each segment of a training session. This will ensure individual and team deficiencies and strengths will be focused on.
When planning a training session the following considerations should be noted:
1. Venue
Various venues can be used during the football year, particularly in the pre-season period. In addition to their home ground, coaches should seek alternative venues ranging from an athletics track or swimming pool, to a well grassed hilly surface, indoor gym or basketball court. If carefully selected, these venues can greatly improve the general standard of training.
2. Equipment
The well prepared coach will have a variety of equipment on hand at training. This can include:
- Footballs
- Pump
- Cones or witches hats
- Whistle
- Bibs for internal games
There should also be an adequate supply of water for players during training, with players encouraged to bring their own water bottle.
3. Outline of the Training Session
Many coaches now provide the players with an outline of the training session prior to training. Players can be informed on the overall aims of the session in addition to the approximate length and intensity of the practice.
4. Be Specific
Training must be specific to the demands of the game. With running training, the distance covered, the intensity of the running and the number of repetitions must be appropriate to the match and the various playing positions. It is essential that running work be supplemented with drills using footballs.
5. Quality not Quantity
In general terms the emphasis should be on a quality non-stop training session rather than one of low volume and long duration.
THE TRAINING SESSION – IN SEASON
The primary objective during the playing season is to maintain the current level of match fitness of every player. In addition, it is important to develop individual and team skills through a good selection of drills.
Format of a Training Session
1. Warm Up
This consists of two parts:
1. General warm up involving running and ‘loosening up’ exercises.
2. Specific warm-up to include stretching and flexibility exercises. Skill exercises should also be included – for example handball, marking and short kicking.
There are no time limits to the average length of the warm-up. An adequate warm up must ensure the players muscles are prepared for action and the players themselves are ‘tuned in’ ready to perform to their optimum. Generally 10-15 minutes is adequate for this activity.
2. Skills Section
Following the warm up the coach usually instructs the players on the individual skills or team strategies to be practised during the session. Skill practice should occupy 40-50 minutes of the session.
Drills will be performed involving single players or groups of players working together. Specific skills e.g. kicking, marking, handball, shepherding etc. may be emphasised.
Training drills which emphasise team plays are also practised. These can include kickout practice, specialised ruckwork or forward plays.
Drills must be realistic and complement the game situation. Functional training is the key to success on match day. Conditioning or fitness work may follow the skill activities.
3. Warm Down
After a strenuous training session, players should be given a cool down period of 5 to 10 minutes to allow the body to gradually return to its resting state. A slow jog followed by mild stretching exercises can be used.
4. Post Training Evaluation
The training session should be evaluated immediately after it has concluded. The coach and his assistants should readily assess the effectiveness of the session and the performance of individual players. The information gained will be valuable in planning future training activities and in the selection of the team for the forthcoming match.
MATCH DAY
The period before a match is a critical planning and management time for the coach. This time is important for team bonding and reinforcing the team plan and giving individual players specific instructions.
Pre-Match Meeting
In this meeting the coach must reinforce team tactics decided earlier in the week and practised at training. Little new information should be given. This brief meeting should aim to:
- eliminate all confusion and distraction
- calm anxious players
- unite all players in the sense of belonging to a team
- clearly spell out the team plan for the game with reference to the ground condition and opposition team
General Warm Up and Stretching
Players should start preparing physically for the game with the pre-match warm up. They should commence their own physical preparation with individual stretching and ball handling. Following this, there is a general team warm up of 4 to 5 minutes to get ready for the match.
During the warm up period the build-up should be gradual. The coach must maintain a calm approach and use this time to individually talk to players giving final instructions and reassuring them with positive words of encouragement.
At the end of the group warm up, allow time for individual preparation. All players react differently prior to a match and therefore should be given the opportunity to have a few minutes to themselves.
Pre-Match Address
Finally, just prior to going out on the ground the coach should address the team as one. The final instructions should provide a concise summary of the team plan with reference to the key areas of that plan.
Concentrate on gaining the early initiative and working hard against the opposition. Look no further than the first quarter or half. Given the stress of the pre-match situation, players can absorb a limited number of instructions, therefore the message should be brief.
On Ground Warm Up
Many coaches ignore the final few minutes prior to the start of a match. However, the on ground warm up provides a great opportunity for players to ‘acclimatise’ to the ground and prevailing weather conditions.
A short, sharp skills warm up should be organised. Team leaders can be given responsibilities in this situation with the captain giving a last minute reminder to fellow team members.
THE MATCH
Full concentration is required during the course of the game. A well organised coach will be prepared to meet all contingencies and deal with them in a quick and efficient manner.
On The Bench
Select the personnel you require to sit with you in the coach’s box to observe the game. Try to avoid interference or distraction from outside influences.
Use of Assistants
An assistant coach or injured player can be used to note down key plays as they occur. These can be useful for the quarter time address.
Team Runner
Use the runner to relay messages and to positively reinforce passages of team play. The runner can also provide feedback from the players to the coach.
Quarter Time Break
The quarter time break should be used productively to allow players to rest. The coach can seek out individual players for special instruction. Speak briefly to the team, commenting on the general pattern of play with emphasis on your attacking and defensive play. Look toward the next quarter of the game highlighting the type of team play required.
Half Time Interval
The half time interval alows players to rest and give the coach time to assess the team’s performance and make adjustments to the team line up. The coach should spend time talking positively to individual players suggesting ways they can improve. If the team is playing below its ability, it should be told so. The coach can be critical of the team performance but should avoid individual criticism.
In the half time address the coach can review the first half performance and suggest ways of improving the team effort in the next half.
Post Match
Immediately after the game, briefly sit the players down and provide some general feedback on the team’s performance. Be positive outlining the good features of the game. You might ask the players ‘What did we do well?’ followed by ‘What can we improve on?’. Listen carefully to the players’ responses. They will provide valuable information on the team’s performance.
Match Day Procedure
All players have varying preparations on match day. As a general rule the following format is widely used:
12.30pm approx – Arrive at ground
1.00pm – Pre-match meeting
1.30pm – General warm up and stretching
1.50pm – Pre-match address
1.55pm – On ground warm up
2.00pm – Game commences
SUMMARY
- Understand the importance of adopting a yearly coaching plan
- Recognise the various phases of the yearly plan and how they relate to the training program
- Be able to plan and organise the training session and a set match day procedure
