Koaching Tip # 5 - Plan your training session

The coldest weather in Queensland for 50 years. Think positive-at least the mozzies are gone. Cold windy arvos are a challenge for coaches. Get them warm and keep them warm. How? PREPARE YOUR SESSION BEFORE YOU GET TO THE GROUND. DON'T TALK: SHOW AND DO! Here's a suggested session to keep them moving:

5-10 minutes . . . All in the centre circle or similar sized area. One player with a ball tries to tag one of the rest. As a player is tagged he/she gets a ball and helps the first tagger. Keep going until all are tagged. Repeat 2 or 3 times. Good warm up and helps youngsters to develop dodging skills.

5-10 minutes . . . In pairs and one ball between two. Players in a pair face each other 5 to 10 metres apart. One player jogs backwards and one jogs forward as they continually pass the ball to each other. Reverse direction after 20 to 30 metres. Simulates game movements. Make sure the retreating player moves on the balls of the feet and not the heels. Alternative exercise-same set up, but the retreating player should be encouraged to challenge for the ball. Simulates jockeying and timing of the tackle against a dribbler.

15 minutes . . . 3 versus 3 in an area 15m square with one goal and a goalkeeper. Each team takes turns to attack and defend. Change when a goal is scored by the attackers. Encourage dribbling for 6, 7 & 8 year olds and passing triangles for older players.

15 minutes . . . 4 versus 2 in a 10m square set up 20m from a goal with goalkeeper. The 4 must keep the ball from the 2. The coach calls the name of one of the 4 who must then receive a pass, move out of the square and shoot for goal. Opportunity to coach the wall pass on the edge of the penalty area and to coach the goalkeeper in one on one situations. Change attackers and defenders so that all get a turn at shooting. When advancing from goal, the goalkeeper should stay on a line between the centre of the goal and the ball. Alternatively, all players have a ball and dribble in the square and go for goal when named by the coach.

10 minutes . . . Complete the session with a free from coaching game BUT impose one condition such as-all passes on the ground-no passes longer than 10 metres-must beat an opponent before passing, etc. Please don't play in these sessions yourself. The club is not insured for injury caused to or by adults.

Special Note: 80% of the above session is ball work. Don't run them round the oval-they're naturally fit. In any case, one session of fitness work per week will not improve fitness. Definition: FITNESS EQUALS RESPIRATORY RECOVERY TIME. If you don't check pulse rates, how do you know if they are fit or not?

Happy coaching. Keith