Session plans - typically we outline the session following the match the previous week and then I'll do the session plan to work on those areas. So that might be passing, shooting, GK specific. We try and do two, occasionally three drills with a 30 minute match time in there where we'll try and get them to put what we did in practise. 

Player ownership is a harder one. I coach U15 so it's a lot easier now than it used to be, and we're lucky to have a tight knit group who all get on and are puling in the same direction. We've challenged them a bit more this season in taking more ownership both on and off the pitch - fitness, preparation (one kid was always late so we encouraged him to pack his bag and look his kit out the night before for example) and the like. We've encouraged them to lead on the pitch, get each other organised and communicating which has always been a bugbear in our team but is getting better every week now. We've also encouraged them to make each other accountable - so if someone isn't tracking back, how can you get them to help the team more (by good communication not yelling and winding each other up!)

As for go-to practises, we do a lot of variations on rondos. One we did the other week was a whole team rondo in a big circle with two in the middle. The two in the middle were working on communicating and pressing, one going to the ball, the other working out the next pass and trying to cut the passing lane out. After ten passes, the circle moves in (while the drill is ongoing) to a small circle with one touch, and the two in the middle had to hold onto bib so they had to work closely. Then back out to a wide circle again. Really improved their thinking about working better together. 

Session plans - typically we outline the session following the match the previous week and then I'll do the session plan to work on those areas. So that might be passing, shooting, GK specific. We try and do two, occasionally three drills with a 30 minute match time in there where we'll try and get them to put what we did in practise. 

Player ownership is a harder one. I coach U15 so it's a lot easier now than it used to be, and we're lucky to have a tight knit group who all get on and are puling in the same direction. We've challenged them a bit more this season in taking more ownership both on and off the pitch - fitness, preparation (one kid was always late so we encouraged him to pack his bag and look his kit out the night before for example) and the like. We've encouraged them to lead on the pitch, get each other organised and communicating which has always been a bugbear in our team but is getting better every week now. We've also encouraged them to make each other accountable - so if someone isn't tracking back, how can you get them to help the team more (by good communication not yelling and winding each other up!)

As for go-to practises, we do a lot of variations on rondos. One we did the other week was a whole team rondo in a big circle with two in the middle. The two in the middle were working on communicating and pressing, one going to the ball, the other working out the next pass and trying to cut the passing lane out. After ten passes, the circle moves in (while the drill is ongoing) to a small circle with one touch, and the two in the middle had to hold onto bib so they had to work closely. Then back out to a wide circle again. Really improved their thinking about working better together. 

Hi, Euan, thanks for sharing your insight - this is great!

Some real good examples here for coaches to try. I like the fact you're keen on linking matchday to practice and giving the team a heads-up on what to expect at training.

Sounds like you've made some good progress with giving your players ownership as well. Reflecting on your experience, do you have any advice to help coaches try this for the first time?

I guess there are two aspects.

As coaches it’s up to us to set the culture of our teams. We’ve always had a team based on fair playing time etc, knowing players develop at different rates. You can’t be shouting instructions at them all the time in games, as otherwise they’ll never develop a sense of ownership.

Equally, trust the players. We’ve all seen coaches who are running teams from authority, but I can’t believe anyone enjoys that. If the kids are engaged and enjoying it and you’ve made it interesting, they’ll go with you. It takes time though, and I’m sure every group is different as to when they’re ready. I can’t imagine doing it with our lot when they were u8 for example but we set the ground rules then that have enabled it to happen over time.