Christmas gifts for football coaches

Tactics board

Tactics board

Every coach loves a good tactics board. It’s the best way to show players what they’re thinking – move a few magnets around, draw up a quick play, job done. This one’s a solid option: sturdy, good size, and easy to carry.

Tactics board

Magnets and markers

Magnets and markers

These magnets are really smart – they even show body shape, so coaches can properly demonstrate positioning on their tactics board. Makes explaining things so much easier.

Magnets and markers

Whiteboard pens

Whiteboard pens

Whiteboard pens go missing faster than cones. Coaches can never have too many! This set’s a good one – nice colours, don’t dry out straight away, and come with their own case.

Whiteboard pens

Electronic coaching board

Electronic coaching board

Bit of modern tech– it’s like a digital tactics board. You can draw things out, erase them with a button, and go again. Makes explaining drills a breeze. Try this one.

Electronic coaching board

Session planning book

Session planning book

Every coach needs somewhere to jot down ideas and session plans. The Duktig notebooks are top quality – simple layout, tough covers, and loads of them are waterproof. Handy when coaching in the rain (which, let’s be honest, is most of the time).

Session planning book

The ultimate coach development pack

The Ultimate Coach Development Pack

Coaches never stop learning, do they? This pack’s brilliant if a coach wants to take things up a notch – online library, webinars, and a couple of cracking coaching books included. Perfect for a bit of self-development.

This coach development pack is a great way to help them do just that – with access to an online library, webinars, and two of the best coaching books on the market.  

The Ultimate Coach Development Pack

Football

Football

Every coach needs a football of their own – something to kick about, try out a few tricks with, or keep in the car just in case it’s needed at training.

If you just want something solid and reliable, this one’s a great shout. But if you fancy really treating your coach, go for this season’s official Premier League ball – proper bit of kit, that.

Football

Cones

Cones

Coaches can never have too many cones – they disappear faster than socks in the wash! This set is cool - a different shape and size to standard cones but equally as effective, and easy to carry. 

Cones

Flat markers

Flat markers

Cones and flat markers might look similar, but they’re not the same thing! Flat markers are brilliant for setting out areas and helping with positioning. Handy bit of kit that’s always worth having a few of. These rectangular ones are great and very useful for marking out the pitch.

Flat markers

Electric ball pump

Electric ball pump

Now this is a proper game-changer. An electric pump gets the balls sorted in seconds – no more faffing about with a hand pump and ending up out of breath before training even starts. It’s an absolute lifesaver!

Electric ball pump

Stopwatch

Stopwatch

Checking your phone all the time during training’s not ideal, and watches can be a bit fiddly. A good old-fashioned stopwatch is perfect for keeping sessions on track. Simple, practical, does the job. This one is a pretty safe and simple bet.

Stopwatch

Electronic whistle

Electronic whistle

This one’s clever – all the noise of a normal whistle without having to blow it! Much more hygienic too, especially if you’re sharing kit around.

Electronic whistle

Net clips

Net clips

Pitch setup can be a bit of a faff sometimes, especially when the nets come loose. These clips are a simple but super handy fix – a few in a coach’s bag means they’ll always be ready.

Net clips

Boots

Boots

You can’t beat a good pair of comfy boots for walking round the pitch. Most coaches go for the classic all-black look – can’t go wrong there. There’s a cracking selection here, just make sure you pick the right ones: soft ground, firm ground, astro or indoor. If you’re not sure, firm ground’s usually the safest bet.

Boots

Socks

Socks

Everyone needs socks, right? Coaches are no different. A few pairs of good quality white or black ones and you’re sorted.

Socks

Laces

Laces

A great way to add a bit of personality to your boots or trainers? Grab a pair of custom laces. Mr Lacy have loads of colours and styles to choose from – nice little touch that makes boots stand out.

Laces

Snood

Snood

Winter training can be brutal! A snood keeps you warm without getting in the way. This one’s nice and light, but if you think your coach would prefer something thicker, there’s a cosier version too.

Snood

Predator trainers

Predator trainers

Adidas Predators are the classic choice, seen by many as the ultimate in football footwear. And now they’re not just made for the pitch, but off it too! If you want to help your coach look stylish, with a football twist, consider getting some of these.

Predator trainers

Backpack

Backpack

A decent coaching bag is harder to find than you’d think. Coaches want something big enough to fit everything in, but not so big it’s a pain to lug about. Pockets are key – can’t be doing with everything rattling around inside.

This one’s spot on – sturdy, good size, space for a ball or a pair of boots, and even a rain cover for when the heavens open.

Backpack

Boot bag

Boot bag

Let’s face it – boots get filthy. A decent boot bag keeps the mud off the rest of a coach’s  gear and makes them easy to find in their bag. This one looks tidy and feels built to last.

Boot bag

Water bottle

Water bottle

You’ll be surprised how much running around a coach does. Staying hydrated’s a must! A decent bottle that won’t leak or crack will help with that – this one’s smart, sturdy, and looks the part too.

Water bottle

Backpack cover

Backpack cover

Coaching in Britain means you’re going to get rained on. A waterproof backpack cover is a small thing, but it’ll save your coach’s stuff from getting soaked. Worth having.

Backpack cover

Lace covers

Lace covers

These are clever little things – they keep laces tucked away so they don’t come undone mid-session. Laceeze has some brilliant options, with loads of colours to choose from too.

Lace covers

Boot dryer

Boot dryer

Nothing worse than putting on soggy boots the next morning. A boot dryer sorts that right out – dries them quickly and gets them ready for the next session.

Boot dryer

The Long Audition

The Long Audition

This one’s a great read. It’s written for players, but coaches get loads out of it too. Helps you see the game from a different angle. It’s by John Allpress – proper legend in the coaching world.

The Long Audition

How I chose the best gifts for Football Coaches

I’ve pulled this list together as a way to help all of you looking to buy the coach you know is a special gift this Christmas. 

It’s a mix of stuff I own, I want, or that my coaching colleagues own and shout about!

Hopefully, there’s a good mix of ideas and prices – meaning you can get something no matter your budget. And believe me when I say, if someone bought me a set of cones I think I’d be just as happy as if they bought me a new pair of boots!