How to Plan a Soccer Training Session

While game management is what is most open to criticism in coaching, creating a proper training regimen to prepare for games is the most important aspect to building a strong squad. While tweaks to your schedule should be made to keep things fresh, it is important to drill all the important areas in developing your players.

Things You'll Need

  • Soccer balls
  • Cones
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Instructions

    • 1

      Begin practice with a lap or two around the field to get players' legs loose.

    • 2

      Have the team perform stretching drills to help prevent players from injuring a muscle. A good stretching regimen should last 10 to 15 minutes, and should stretch all muscles, with a focus on the lower body.

    • 3

      Follow up stretching with small-sided drills. Start the players with games of keep away, with six to eight players on the outside and one to two players attempting to intercept, then proceed to small-sided scrimmages, with 3-foot-wide goals made from cones as scoring zones.

    • 4

      Train the players with dribbling drills to help them grow more comfortable with the ball. Dribbling should be performed with both feet. A simple drill is to set up a series of cones and have players slalom through.

    • 5

      Spend time during every practice working on set-pieces, as this will allow your offense to practice finishing, and your defense to practice defending these vital kicks.

    • 6

      Use half-field drills if you do not have enough players for a full scrimmage. Separate your offensive and defensive players, and allow the offense to try to bring the ball down and score from midfield.

    • 7

      End practice with a cool-down exercise, such as a slow jog around the field or a drill which involves the whole team but isn't overly taxing. This will help prevent post-training cramps and injuries.