First Training Session with a New Team: What to Do When You Don't Know the Players

The First Session Challenge

You’re standing on the sideline, looking at 15-20 players you’ve never coached before. Some might be stars, others struggling. You don’t know their names, personalities, or abilities.

What you need to accomplish in 90 minutes:

• Assess individual technical abilities
• Understand player personalities and leadership qualities
• Establish your coaching philosophy and expectations
• Create a positive first impression
• Start building team chemistry
• Set the foundation for your coaching relationship

The Problem Most New Coaches Face: They either try to do too much (overwhelming players with new systems) or too little (just letting players “play” without learning anything useful).

The 360TFT approach gives you a systematic first session that accomplishes everything while keeping players engaged and positive.

Pre-Session Preparation (30 minutes before players arrive)

Essential Information to Gather:

• Player names and numbers (make a simple list)
• Age group and experience level (youth, adult amateur, semi-pro)
• Previous coach’s approach (if available - helps understand what players expect)
• Season goals and expectations (from club/parents/players)
• Available equipment and space (balls, cones, goals, etc.)

Mental Preparation:

• Be authentic - don’t try to be someone you’re not
• Stay flexible - your session plan might need adjusting
• Focus on learning - you’re gathering information, not proving anything
• Remain positive - first impressions matter for players too

The Perfect First Session Structure (90 minutes)

Phase 1: Welcome & Introduction (10 minutes)

Gather everyone in a circle:

“Hi everyone, I’m [Name], your new coach. I’m excited to work with you this season. Before we start, I want to know about you.”

Quick introductions:

• Name, position they usually play, one thing they want to improve
• Keeps it simple but gives you immediate insight
• Shows you care about them as individuals

Your coaching philosophy (2 minutes max): “My approach is simple: I want to help every player improve, I believe in playing good football, and I expect everyone to work hard and support each other. We’ll have fun, but we’ll also challenge ourselves.”

Phase 2: Movement & Ball Familiarity (15 minutes)

Activity 1: Numbers Game (8 minutes)

Setup: All players with balls in 30x30 area
Rules: Coach calls number 1-5, players form groups of that number
Progression: Add ball skills between calls

What you're assessing:
- Individual ball control under pressure
- Speed of movement and reaction
- Who naturally becomes group organizers
- Personality types (leaders, followers, jokers)

Activity 2: Name Game Passing (7 minutes)

Setup: Circle of 12 players, 2-3 balls
Rules: Pass to someone and call their name
Progression: Limit touches, add movement

What you're assessing:
- Passing accuracy and weight
- Learning ability (remembering names)
- Communication willingness
- First touch quality

Phase 3: Technical Assessment (25 minutes)

Station Rotation (8 minutes per station, 1 minute transition)

Station 1: 1v1 Duels

Setup: 15x10 area with small goals
Rules: Players take turns attacking/defending
Coaching: Minimal - let them play

Assessment Focus:
- 1v1 attacking and defending ability
- Competitive mentality
- Technical skill under pressure
- How they handle winning/losing

Station 2: Passing Under Pressure

Setup: Triangle passing with defender in middle
Rules: Keep possession, defender tries to intercept
Coaching: Encourage quick passing and movement

Assessment Focus:
- Passing accuracy under pressure
- Decision making speed
- Movement and support play
- Communication between players

Station 3: Finishing Challenge

Setup: Various shooting scenarios
Rules: Different finish types (power, placement, volleys)
Coaching: Focus on technique, not outcome

Assessment Focus:
- Shooting technique variety
- Composure in front of goal
- Both foot ability
- Response to missed chances

Phase 4: Small-Sided Games (25 minutes)

4v4+2 Possession Games (3 games of 7 minutes, 2 min rest)

Setup: 40x30 area, two neutral players
Rules: Keep possession, neutrals always with ball team
Conditions: 
- Game 1: Free play (assess natural game)
- Game 2: Maximum 3 touches (assess technical pressure)
- Game 3: Must use both neutrals before scoring (assess tactical understanding)

What you're learning:
- Natural game understanding
- Position preferences and comfort zones
- Leadership and communication in games
- Stamina and work rate
- Problem-solving abilities
- Team chemistry (who plays well together)

Phase 5: Team Challenge (10 minutes)

Passing Relay Competition

Setup: Two teams, passing circuit with various challenges
Rules: Complete circuit fastest with quality
Include: Short passes, long passes, 1v1, finishing

Purpose:
- End on positive, fun note
- Team building through shared challenge
- Final technical assessment under competitive pressure
- Opportunity to celebrate success together

Phase 6: Cool Down & Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

Group reflection circle:

• “What did you enjoy most today?”
• “What’s one thing you want to work on this season?”
• Preview next session
• Positive individual comments to 2-3 players

What to Look For: Your Assessment Checklist

Technical Abilities:

• First touch: Clean under pressure or needs work?
• Passing range: Short accurate, long distribution capable?
• 1v1 skills: Confident attacking/defending or hesitant?
• Finishing: Composed or rushed?
• Weak foot usage: Comfortable or always avoids?

Physical Attributes:

• Speed: Who’s quickest over short/long distances?
• Stamina: Who maintains intensity throughout?
• Strength: Who wins physical duels?
• Agility: Who changes direction smoothly?
• Balance: Who stays on feet under pressure?

Mental/Social Qualities:

• Leadership: Who organizes, encourages, takes responsibility?
• Coachability: Who listens, applies feedback, asks questions?
• Competitive spirit: Who hates losing, fights for every ball?
• Team mentality: Who supports teammates, celebrates others’ success?
• Confidence: Who takes risks, backs themselves?

Tactical Understanding:

• Position awareness: Do they understand their role?
• Decision making: Quick, smart choices or slow/poor ones?
• Game reading: Do they anticipate or just react?
• Communication: Do they talk to teammates?
• Adaptability: Can they adjust to different situations?

Immediate Post-Session Notes

Take 10 minutes immediately after to write down:

Player Categories:

Potential Stars: High ability, good attitude, natural leaders Solid Contributors: Reliable, coachable, good team players
Development Needed: Willing but lacking skills or confidence Concern Areas: Attitude, effort, or significant skill gaps

Team Dynamics Observed:

• Natural friendship groups
• Personality clashes or tensions
• Communication patterns
• Competitive balance

Priority Development Areas:

• Team-wide technical weaknesses
• Tactical understanding gaps
• Physical fitness levels
• Mental approach improvements

Setting Expectations Moving Forward

At the end of first session, communicate:

“Here’s what I learned about our team today and what we’ll focus on:

Our strengths: [2-3 specific positives you observed] Our development areas: [1-2 areas to improve] How we’ll improve: [Brief outline of approach]

What to expect from me:

• Fair treatment and clear communication
• Sessions that challenge and develop you
• Support when you make mistakes
• Recognition when you improve

What I expect from you:

• Give maximum effort in training and games
• Support your teammates
• Be coachable and willing to learn
• Have fun while working hard”

Planning Session Two

Based on your assessment, plan your second session to:

Address Immediate Needs:

• Work on the 2-3 biggest technical weaknesses you observed
• Include activities that challenge the most confident players
• Support players who seemed hesitant or lacking confidence

Build on Strengths:

• Use your naturally gifted players as examples
• Create opportunities for leaders to emerge
• Incorporate the playing style preferences you noticed

Continue Assessment:

• Position-specific work to see where players fit best
• More complex tactical situations
• Individual challenges to test coachability

Common First Session Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Talking Too Much

• Players want to play, not listen to long speeches
• Keep instructions brief and demonstrate

Mistake 2: Being Too Demanding Too Soon

• You’re still earning their respect and trust
• Set standards but don’t overwhelm with criticism

Mistake 3: Favorites Too Early

• Don’t obviously prefer certain players in session one
• Everyone deserves equal opportunity to impress

Mistake 4: Ignoring Team Chemistry

• Technical ability matters, but so does who plays well together
• Notice natural partnerships and connections

Mistake 5: Not Learning Names Quickly

• Use names as much as possible during the session
• Players respond better when you know who they are

Building Long-Term Success From Day One

Your First Session Should Plant Seeds For:

Individual Development:

• Every player should feel they can improve under your guidance
• Identify each player’s potential development pathway
• Show you notice their efforts and improvements

Team Culture:

• Establish that improvement and effort matter more than just ability
• Create environment where mistakes are learning opportunities
• Build foundation for mutual support and encouragement

Your Coaching Relationship:

• Be authentic but professional
• Show you care about them as people, not just players
• Demonstrate knowledge without showing off

Season Success:

• Give players confidence that you have a plan
• Show them that training will be purposeful and enjoyable
• Create excitement about what they can achieve together

The Day After: Reflection and Planning

Ask Yourself:

• What surprised me most about this group?
• Which players exceed or fell short of my first impression?
• What’s our biggest opportunity for improvement?
• What’s our greatest strength to build upon?
• How can I adjust my coaching style for this group?

Create Your Development Priority List:

1. Immediate needs (safety, basic skills, team harmony)
2. Short-term goals (first month of training focus)
3. Medium-term development (skills to develop over season)
4. Long-term vision (where this team can be in 12 months)

Remember: Your first session is just the beginning. The relationships you build and standards you set in those first 90 minutes will influence everything that follows.

Focus on creating a positive foundation where players feel valued, challenged, and excited about improving. The technical and tactical development will follow naturally when you’ve established the right environment.

Build Your Coaching Foundation

Master the complete coaching system with these essential guides:

• Football Coaching Mistakes to Avoid - Essential beginner coaching guidance
• Football Coaching Methodology Hub - Systematic coaching approaches
• Session Planning System - Structure effective training sessions

Age-Specific Development Guides:

• Youth Development Hub - Complete age-appropriate development system
• U8 Coaching Guide - Foundation phase methods
• U12 Coaching Guide - Development phase approaches
• U16 Coaching Guide - Performance phase preparation

Need more guidance on seasonal coaching progression? The 360TFT Academy provides complete coaching frameworks for building successful teams from the first session through to season success. Join 1200+ coaches developing better relationships and better players.