Objectives in Season Practices
As a youth coach,we always think about planning according to training concepts and working consistently toward long-term objectives. But how do you create a weekly practice schedule for adult or high level teams in season. On one hand, you have to think in the long term, but on the other, you also have to talk to the team about what they did right and wrong in their last game, and respond accordingly. And you have to think about the next match too.
Objectives during the season
In the spring or fall, most coaches’ agendas include the following objectives:
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Continued improvement of basic skills
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Refinement of team tactics and formation
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Specialized training for individual players and groups
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Position-specific training,
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Stabilization of condition.
Each week, these concepts function as guideposts as you work on what you’ve learned from your last match. At the same time, you should also be working on concepts that prepare you for the playoffs at the end of the season.
The weekly practice schedule,
The majority of all amateur/ pro adult teams have three practice sessions each week: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Tuesday’s practice usually focuses on soccer-specific condition training. Thursday is devoted to intensive technique training, and on Friday the emphasis shifts to group and team tactics. As a fundamental rule, all practice sessions should be complex and play-oriented. Individual condition exercises may be included, but they should always be soccer-specific