How To Structure Your Week

Module: Master The Opponent: 7-12 Years Old Classroom: Use The 360TFT Game Model Original Location: https://www.skool.com/football-coaching-academy-5676/classroom

TLDR

Each week in the 16-week programme targets a specific technical focus, but the way that focus is delivered is what makes this development model genuinely effective. Rather than teaching skills in isolation, every session blends technique with context, progressing systematically from repetition to decision-making, and ending with match transfer.

Every session follows the same four-part progression: Ball Mastery Warm-Up with short, high-repetition exercises focused on individual technique development; Contextual Game Scenario where players apply that week’s technical focus within scenario-based practice situations; Small Sided Game with themed rules that specifically highlight and reinforce the weekly topic; and Match-Related Play with minimal constraints giving players genuine opportunities to try what they’ve learned.

This progression builds both technical fluency and tactical transfer. Players don’t just repeat isolated actions but learn when and why to use them effectively. The model reflects how authentic learning happens in football through repetition at the start building technical fluency, context in the middle building decision-making skills, and freedom at the end building transfer to real matches.

My role as coach focuses on four essential elements: clarity with one topic delivered with crystal-clear purpose; consistency by sticking to the four-stage structure; connection by helping players link actions to actual game situations; and challenge by adding complexity when they’re genuinely ready. This systematic approach ensures that technical development becomes tactical understanding, and practice becomes performance.

One topic. Four stages. Real learning.

Each week in the 16-week programme targets a specific technical focus. However, the way that focus is delivered is what makes this development model genuinely effective.

Rather than teaching skills in isolation, every session blends technique with context, progressing systematically from repetition to decision-making, and ending with match transfer.

This isn’t just about what you coach. It’s about how you coach it.

The Four-Part Session Structure

Every session in this programme follows the same purposeful progression:

Ball Mastery Warm-Up

Short, high-repetition exercises focused on individual technique development. Maximum 1-2 touches to build fluency and confidence.

Contextual Game Scenario

Players apply that week’s technical focus within a scenario-based practice situation (e.g. 1v1 duels, small overload situations).

Small Sided Game (SSG)

A themed small-sided game where rules or conditions specifically highlight and reinforce the weekly topic.

Match-Related Play

Free play with minimal constraints - giving players genuine opportunities to try what they’ve learned in realistic conditions.

This progression builds both technical fluency and tactical transfer. Players don’t just repeat isolated actions - they learn when and why to use them effectively.

Why This Works

This model reflects how authentic learning happens in football:

Repetition at the Start

Builds technical fluency and confidence. Players experience success before facing pressure.

Context in the Middle

Builds decision-making skills. Players learn to apply technique when it matters, not just when it’s easy.

Freedom at the End

Builds transfer to real matches. Players experiment with their learning in game-like conditions.

Because topics spiral throughout the programme, players encounter key themes repeatedly - just in more challenging, match-realistic forms each time.

Your Role as Coach

Each week, focus on four essential elements:

Clarity

One topic, delivered with crystal-clear purpose and progression. Avoid diluting the learning with too many focuses.

Consistency

Stick to the four-stage structure religiously. This predictability helps players learn more effectively.

Connection

Help players link their actions to actual game situations. Make the learning relevant and meaningful.

Challenge

Add complexity when they’re genuinely ready, not before. Progressive challenge builds confidence; premature complexity destroys it.

Let the structure do the heavy lifting. Let the session do the teaching. Let the player do the learning.

This systematic approach ensures that technical development becomes tactical understanding, and practice becomes performance.

This content is part of the 360TFT Football Coaching Academy - Use The 360TFT Game Model