Soccer Coach Weekly

The different ways to structure a soccer training session

by

Carl Wild

When planning for training, consider your topic, the type of practices you’ll use and what you will need to make it work.

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Director of Coach Education

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Grassroots Director

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Coaches' Testimonials

Gerald Kearney, Downtown Las Vegas Soccer Club

"I have been coaching competitive soccer for over 20 years in Las Vegas. I feel like you are my personal club director. My players and myself have learned a lot from your sessions. The exercises from Soccer Coach Weekly are easy to understand and implement. I never run out of ideas and there is always an exercise for whatever problem we need to fix. Thank you!"

Paul Butler, Florida, USA

"First and foremost, Soccer Coach Weekly is truly unique and exceptional for its clarity and for explaining the "why?", in addition to the "how?". Soccer Coach Weekly is also professionally managed - any issues, which are infrequent, are resolved in an expedient and courteous manner. I place Soccer Coach Weekly at the top of my recommendation list for any new or seasoned coach of the beautiful game."

Rick Shields, Springboro, USA

"I coach both young club players as well as players at the High School level and both genders. The talent range is wide at times, however with the use of Soccer Coach Weekly I am able to apply the information to all talent levels and player ages and make the session fun and challenging for all players. It has helped spark me at times when I am at a loss for what to do at the next training session or offers a different approach to a current problem."

Tony Green, Pierrefonds Titans, Quebec, Canada

"My team and myself are truly enjoying the Soccer Coach Weekly downloads. Pierrefonds Titans are a great group of U16 Females who compete in the Lac St-Louis Association of Montreal, Quebec, Canada."

Coaching Advice

How to use the STEP principle to adapt your sessions

If a session isn’t working, there are plenty of parameters you can alter to create new challenges for the players – just remember: space, ...

Beating nerves on a return to coaching

If you have been away, keep it simple and get support, says Steph Fairbairn

Creating a healthy, happy environment

You will get the best from your players if they are part of a team culture that is inclusive, welcoming, safe and also allows for mistakes, ...

Structuring a soccer training session: 'Up the steps'

It’s the most commonly used method of session design. SCW consultant coach Carl Wild explains why, how to utilise it and the benefits it ...

Soccer Warm-Ups

Warm-up: Through the thirds

Develop your players’ ability to play through a crowded midfield with this session.

Warm-Up: Defending in our half

A three-part session focusing on defensive principles and developing defensive techniques.

Warm-up: Passing with purpose

Encourage players to be adventurous and create angles in this three-part session plan.

Warm-Up: Principles of pressing

Introduces some of the key elements around pressing.

Soccer Drills

Warm-up: React to losing the ball

A session to help your players work on their reactions to losing possession. Use this session as a standalone activity, or combine it with ...

Practice: React to losing the ball

A session to help your players work on their reactions to losing possession. Use this session as a standalone activity, or combine it with ...

Small-sided game: React to losing the ball

A session to help your players work on their reactions to losing possession. Use this session as a standalone activity, or combine it with ...

Clever out wide

Improve your wingers’ quality of delivery into the feet of attackers, who need to escape their markers and score.

Small-sided Soccer Games

Small-sided game: Defending 1v1

A session which focuses on the basics of 1v1 defending – protecting space, closing down and tackling. Use this session as a standalone ...

Small-sided game: Long-range finishing

Encourage your players to get shots away from distance more often.

Practice 1: Long-range finishing

Encourage your players to get shots away from distance more often.

Small-sided game: Exploiting overloads

Develop players’ understanding of when and how to make the most of a numerical advantage.

Practice Plans

Movements to lose a defender

This session is designed to improve movement off the ball in order to lose a defender and receive a pass.

The shield

This session is crucial to develop a competitive edge in your players. Learning how to challenge for the ball and shield it from an ...

Coping with pressure

Players can find the game mentally tiring and it is important they retain their composure. This session will help them pass and receive the ...

England’s number one

Goalkeeping is not simply about making eye-catching dives to the top corner of the goal. This session will help improve your goalkeepers’ ...