3. Planning and Delivering Sessions

Module: UEFA C Guidance Classroom: Get UEFA Licence Guidance Here Original Location: https://www.skool.com/football-coaching-academy-5676/classroom

Welcome to Module 3

This is where the rubber meets the road. You can understand coaching principles perfectly, but if you can’t plan and deliver sessions that work in real grassroots conditions, none of it matters. This module covers the practical skills that turn theory into effective training sessions.

What You’ll Master in This Module:

• Age-appropriate session design that actually works
• The five-phase structure every UEFA C session needs
• Clear objective setting that drives real development
• Organisation and delivery techniques for maximum impact

Lesson 3.1: Age-Appropriate Session Design

Tailoring Sessions to Developmental Stages

Designing training sessions that align with the developmental stage of players is a fundamental skill for any coach. The UEFA C Licence emphasises the importance of structuring sessions based on the players’ age, skill level, and learning capabilities to maximise development and enjoyment.

Young Players (Ages 5-8): Fun and Exploration

Young players require game-based activities that are fun, engaging, and focus on fundamental movement skills. Their cognitive abilities are still developing, meaning instructions should be simple and drills should encourage exploration rather than rigid structure.

Session characteristics:

• Small-sided games promote creativity, basic motor skills, and social interaction
• Simple instructions and minimal tactical complexity
• Emphasis on ball contact and basic movement patterns
• Short attention spans require frequent activity changes
• Focus on enjoyment over technical perfection

Developing Players (Ages 9-12): Technical Foundation

As players progress, training sessions should start integrating technical and tactical concepts in an enjoyable and constructive manner. The emphasis should be on refining basic techniques such as passing, dribbling, and shooting, while also introducing elements of decision-making under pressure.

Session focus:

• Technical skill development through varied practice
• Introduction of basic tactical concepts
• Building confidence through achievable challenges
• Problem-solving opportunities within structured activities
• Sessions remain varied and dynamic to maintain engagement

Teenage Players (Ages 13-16): Tactical Understanding

For teenage players, training becomes more structured, incorporating position-specific training and tactical understanding. Sessions should focus on game intelligence, such as understanding different formations, pressing strategies, and positional responsibilities.

Advanced elements:

• Position-specific technical work
• Complex tactical scenarios
• Greater player autonomy in decision-making
• Analysis of their own performances
• Independent thinking and problem-solving on the field

Older Youth and Adults: Match Replication

For older youth players and amateur adults, training should replicate match conditions as much as possible. Tactical drills, conditioned games, and match scenario simulations should form the core of training.

Session priorities:

• Match-realistic scenarios and intensity
• Refined decision-making under pressure
• Team cohesion and tactical understanding
• Physical conditioning within football context
• Developing match fitness alongside technical skills

By tailoring training sessions to the specific developmental needs of players, coaches can ensure that they not only improve technical skills but also enjoy the process, fostering long-term engagement with the sport.

Lesson 3.2: The Five-Phase Session Structure

Building Sessions That Flow and Develop

A well-planned training session is essential for achieving coaching objectives and maintaining player engagement. The UEFA C Licence underscores the importance of meticulous planning and organisation to maximise the effectiveness of each session.

A structured training session typically consists of five key components:

Phase 1: Warm-Up

A period of low-intensity activity that prepares players physically and mentally for the session. This may include dynamic stretching, activation drills, and small passing sequences.

Purpose:

• Physical preparation for higher intensity work
• Mental engagement and focus
• Ball familiarisation
• Social interaction and team bonding

Phase 2: Technical Development

A phase that focuses on refining a specific skill (e.g., passing, dribbling, finishing). This should progress from unopposed drills to opposed scenarios that replicate match conditions.

Progressive structure:

• Unopposed practice for technique refinement
• Passive opposition for skill under pressure
• Active opposition for match realism
• Variable conditions to test adaptability

Phase 3: Tactical Application

Small-sided games or positional drills that reinforce tactical principles, such as pressing, counter-attacking, or maintaining possession under pressure.

Key elements:

• Link individual skills to team concepts
• Introduce decision-making challenges
• Practice specific game situations
• Develop understanding of roles and responsibilities

Phase 4: Game-Based Learning

The session should culminate in a game scenario that integrates the skills and tactics practised earlier. This could be a small-sided game with specific conditions to encourage the use of targeted skills.

Implementation:

• Apply session themes in game context
• Encourage transfer of learning
• Provide realistic match pressure
• Allow for creative problem-solving

Phase 5: Cool-Down and Reflection

A period where players reduce their heart rate through light jogging and stretching, followed by a brief reflection on what was learned during the session.

Components:

• Physical recovery through light activity
• Mental processing of session content
• Brief feedback and key learning points
• Preview of next session themes

Lesson 3.3: Organisation and Delivery Excellence

Maximising Training Effectiveness Through Preparation

Proper organisation and time management are critical to delivering structured practices effectively. The difference between good sessions and great sessions often lies in the details of preparation and delivery.

Pre-Session Preparation:

• Prepare all necessary equipment before the session begins
• Set up training areas and mark boundaries clearly
• Have contingency plans for weather or facility changes
• Know your session plan thoroughly

During Session Delivery:

• Use clear and concise instructions to avoid excessive downtime
• Maintain a high tempo during drills to keep players engaged
• Ensure smooth transitions between different phases of training
• Adapt the session if needed based on player responses and engagement levels

Key Delivery Principles:

• Demonstrate clearly before explaining
• Give one instruction at a time
• Check understanding before starting activities
• Provide specific, actionable feedback
• Maintain energy and enthusiasm throughout

Delivering structured sessions consistently helps players develop a routine, understand expectations, and improve their ability to perform under match conditions. Structured training also allows for incremental learning, where players progressively build on their skills over time in a logical and methodical manner.

Lesson 3.4: Setting Clear Development Objectives

Creating Purpose-Driven Training

For training to be effective, it must be goal-oriented. The UEFA C Licence encourages coaches to establish clear objectives for individual players, training sessions, and overall team development.

Individual Player Objectives

At the individual level, coaches should assess players’ technical, tactical, physical, and psychological strengths and weaknesses. For example, a player with strong passing ability but weak decision-making under pressure should focus on improving their composure and scanning during possession drills.

Setting personalised development goals:

• Identify specific strengths and areas for improvement
• Create measurable targets for each player
• Provide regular feedback on progress
• Adjust objectives based on development rates

Session-Level Objectives

Each training session should have a primary learning outcome. For example, if the focus of a session is pressing and defensive organisation, drills should be designed to reinforce proper defensive positioning, communication, and timing of pressing triggers.

Session objective criteria:

• Clearly communicated to players at the start
• Linked to previous and future sessions
• Measurable and observable outcomes
• Assessed for achievement at session end

Team-Level Objectives

At the team level, coaches should work on implementing an overarching playing philosophy that aligns with the club’s or team’s identity. This could involve focusing on possession-based football, high-intensity pressing, or defensive solidity.

Long-term development planning:

• Break down season objectives into monthly targets
• Create progressive skill and tactical development
• Align individual goals with team objectives
• Regular assessment of progress against targets

Tracking Development Progress

To track development, coaches should employ continuous assessment methods, including:

• Observation during training and matches to evaluate improvements
• One-on-one discussions with players to understand their progress and mindset
• Video analysis sessions to provide visual feedback
• Data collection (e.g., passing accuracy, sprint speed, shot conversion rate) to objectively measure improvement

By setting clear objectives at multiple levels, coaches can provide structured guidance that helps players track their growth and stay motivated. Clear objectives also help ensure that training sessions remain purpose-driven, reinforcing concepts in a way that leads to real progression on the pitch.

Your Module 3 Action Plan

Assess your current session structure:

• Do your sessions follow the five-phase model? Which phases need strengthening?

Age-appropriate check:

• Review your last three sessions. Were they truly appropriate for your players’ developmental stage?

Objective setting practice:

• Write clear objectives for your next three sessions at individual, session, and team levels.

Organisation audit:

• Time your transitions between activities. Where can you reduce downtime?

This content is part of the 360TFT Football Coaching Academy UEFA C Guidance