What are you doing over winter to help your players?

Sessions, fun xmas activities, prep for matches?

  • When the weather is cold wind and wet there are a couple of things I try to do: 

    sketch session organisation with permanent pen so it doesn’t smudge ( visual aids can help players understand)

    I also start them playing in small sided games with key challenges implemented the principle of step to structure the game around the needs of the players attending the training session 

  • For my 11 year old boy, club has indoor practice, joined and indoor league and futsal practice.

  • That is also an excellent ideas and so good for developing skills and a further love of the game.  

  • Ideally I would use an indoor venue during the winter as this is a better environment for young players to learn when the weather is really poor. This also encourages a variety of skills such as playing in tight areas, turning and protecting the ball, quick combinations and a variety of small -sided games. Futsal is a great game for encouraging passing angles and the rules present a variety of tactical problems which develops players decision making skills. 

    If there is no indoor option available I'd try to maximise activity with an arrival activity and smooth transitions from one practice to the next. I'd also encourage coaches to talk less which allows players to play more. In very windy weather players tend to lack concentration and it's difficult to hear the coach, plus the footballs will blow away in the wind. So I'd consider sessions where players are encouraged to stay on the ball with a focus on dribbling and turning along with small sided games in smaller areas so the players are closer to the coach which helps with issues of communication and being heard. 

    Finally if the weather is really you should consider cancelling the session as playing in extreme weather really isn't a positive experience for young players (or their coaches and parents).