The Coaching Question Problem
It’s 10pm on a Thursday night. Training is tomorrow and you’ve just realized:
- Your session plan doesn’t account for the 3 players who are injured
- You’re not sure how to progress that passing drill that fell flat last week
- The parent who questioned your approach is still in your head
Sound familiar?
Most coaches have been there. You post a question in a Facebook group, hoping someone responds before training. You scroll through YouTube looking for inspiration. You second-guess yourself because there’s no one to ask.
The reality of grassroots coaching is that you’re often on your own. You don’t have an assistant coach to bounce ideas off. You don’t have a director of coaching to consult. You have questions that need answers, and you need those answers now - not when someone gets around to replying to your forum post.
That’s why we built FootballGPT.
What Is FootballGPT?
FootballGPT is an AI coaching assistant trained specifically for football coaches. It’s not a generic chatbot that happens to know some football terms - it understands:
- Session planning and drill progressions
- Age-appropriate coaching methods
- Player development principles
- Team management challenges
- The reality of grassroots coaching
Ask a question. Get an answer. It’s that simple.
Unlike generic AI tools, FootballGPT has been trained on football coaching methodology. It understands the difference between coaching U8s and U14s. It knows why certain drills work and others don’t. It can help you think through tactical problems, player development challenges, and the human side of coaching.
What Can You Ask?
Coaches are using FootballGPT for everything from quick tactical questions to detailed session planning.
Session Planning
- “How do I adapt a 5v5 game for U8s who struggle with spacing?”
- “What’s a good warm-up for a session focused on defending?”
- “How can I progress this passing drill to add more challenge?”
- “I only have 8 players tomorrow - what sessions work with this number?”
- “Create a 60-minute session focused on switching play for U12s”
Player Development
- “One of my players is technically good but won’t take risks - how do I help them?”
- “What should a U10 player be working on technically?”
- “How do I develop a player who only wants to play striker?”
- “What’s appropriate to teach U9s about positioning?”
- “How do I help a player who’s physically behind their teammates?”
Team Management
- “How do I handle a parent who keeps shouting instructions during matches?”
- “What’s the best way to rotate players fairly in matches?”
- “How do I manage different ability levels in the same training session?”
- “How do I communicate with parents about their child’s playing time?”
- “What’s the best approach when two players don’t get along?”
Tactical Questions
- “How can I teach my U12s to press effectively?”
- “What’s the best formation for a team that struggles with width?”
- “How do I stop my team getting overrun in midfield?”
- “When should my U14s play out from the back vs. go direct?”
- “How do I help my striker understand movement off the ball?”
Match Analysis
- “We keep conceding from corners - what should I look at?”
- “My team starts well but fades in the second half - why?”
- “How do I analyse opponent weaknesses before a match?”
Why Evidence-Based Matters
FootballGPT doesn’t just make things up. Its guidance is grounded in:
- Modern coaching methodology
- Age-appropriate player development research
- Best practices from grassroots to professional coaching
- The 360TFT systematic approach to player development
You’re not getting random opinions from someone who played Sunday league twenty years ago. You’re getting guidance that aligns with how football should be coached - evidence-based, age-appropriate, and focused on long-term player development.
This matters because bad advice is everywhere. Social media is full of drills that look impressive but don’t transfer to matches. Forums are full of “coaching experts” whose advice would harm player development. FootballGPT filters through all of that to give you guidance you can trust.
Comparing Your Options
When you have a coaching question, you have several options. Here’s how they compare:
| Option | Response Time | Quality | Cost | Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coaching course | Weeks/months | High | $$$ | Limited dates |
| Facebook groups | Hours-days | Variable | Free | Anytime |
| YouTube search | Minutes | Variable | Free | Anytime |
| Mentor coach | Hours-days | High | Free-$$$ | Limited |
| FootballGPT | Instant | Consistent | Free-$9.99/mo | 24/7 |
FootballGPT doesn’t replace comprehensive coaching education or mentorship - those remain valuable. But it fills the gap when you need an answer now, at 10pm the night before training.
How It Works
- Go to FootballGPT - Visit footballgpt.co
- Ask your question - Type naturally, like you’re asking a fellow coach
- Get your answer - Receive detailed, actionable guidance instantly
No account required to start. No waiting for someone to reply. No scrolling through irrelevant videos. No second-guessing.
Tips for Better Answers:
- Include the age group you’re coaching
- Mention any specific constraints (player numbers, space, equipment)
- Describe what you’ve already tried
- Be specific about what you want to achieve
Example: Instead of “How do I teach defending?”, try: “I coach U11s and they struggle to press as a unit - how can I develop coordinated pressing in training?”
Free to Start
You can try FootballGPT free:
- Free tier: 3 messages per day
- Pro tier: Unlimited messages for $9.99/month
Most coaches find the free tier is enough for their quick questions. When you need more depth or you’re planning an entire season, Pro gives you unlimited access.
The free tier is genuinely useful - it’s not a teaser that forces you to upgrade. Three daily messages handles most coaches’ regular questions.
Real Questions From Real Coaches
Here are some recent questions coaches have asked and the type of guidance FootballGPT provides:
Question 1: Midfield Ball Loss
“My team keeps losing the ball in the middle of the park. We play 4-3-3 with U14s. What can I do?”
FootballGPT provided a detailed response covering:
- Common causes of midfield ball loss at U14 level
- Specific training exercises to improve ball retention
- Tactical adjustments to the 4-3-3 to provide better support
- In-game coaching points to reinforce the learning
- How to identify whether the problem is technical or tactical
Question 2: Invisible Player
“I have a player who’s technically brilliant but invisible in matches. How do I bring out their confidence?”
FootballGPT explored:
- Understanding the difference between training confidence and match confidence
- Specific strategies to build in-game decision making
- How to create “safe to fail” environments
- Parent communication around player development
- Signs to watch for that indicate progress
Question 3: Session Adaptation
“I planned a session for 12 players but only 7 turned up. How do I adapt quickly?”
FootballGPT suggested:
- Immediate modifications to the planned activities
- Alternative games that work well with 7 players
- How to maintain the session’s learning objectives
- Building flexibility into future session plans
Question 4: Parent Management
“A parent keeps shouting tactical instructions during matches and it’s confusing players. How do I address this?”
FootballGPT provided:
- Communication strategies for approaching the parent
- How to explain why single-source coaching matters
- Ways to involve parents positively
- What to do if the behaviour continues
The Coach’s Second Brain
Think of FootballGPT as a knowledgeable colleague who’s always available:
- Before training - Get quick ideas to adapt your session
- After matches - Process what happened and plan improvements
- Late at night - When that coaching question won’t leave your head
- Between sessions - Continuous learning without the time commitment
- During planning - Generate ideas and structure your thinking
- When stuck - Break through when you’re not sure what to do
The best coaches are always learning. FootballGPT makes that learning accessible whenever you have a few minutes.
What FootballGPT Won’t Do
Being honest about limitations helps you use the tool effectively:
- It won’t watch your players - It can’t give specific feedback on individuals it hasn’t seen
- It won’t replace coaching education - Formal qualifications and courses still matter
- It won’t guarantee success - Coaching is complex; no tool provides magic answers
- It won’t know your local context - League rules, facility constraints, and club culture are yours to factor in
FootballGPT is a thinking partner and knowledge resource, not a replacement for your own coaching judgment.
Try It Now
Stop waiting for answers. Stop second-guessing yourself.
Every question you don’t ask is a development opportunity missed. Every hour scrolling through forums is an hour you could spend actually coaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is FootballGPT just ChatGPT with football prompts?
No. FootballGPT has been specifically configured for football coaching, with knowledge of coaching methodology, age-appropriate development, and the practical realities of grassroots coaching. Generic AI tools don’t have this specialisation.
Can FootballGPT create complete session plans?
Yes. You can ask for full session plans including warm-ups, main activities, progressions, and games. Specify the age group, focus area, player numbers, and time available for best results.
Is the advice suitable for all age groups?
FootballGPT provides age-appropriate guidance when you specify the age group you’re working with. Coaching U7s is different from coaching U15s, and FootballGPT understands this.
Can I use FootballGPT for my coaching qualifications?
FootballGPT can help you understand concepts and prepare for assessments, but it shouldn’t be used to complete coursework or substitute for actual learning. Use it as a study aid, not a shortcut.
What if I disagree with FootballGPT’s advice?
Good coaching involves professional judgment. FootballGPT provides guidance based on evidence and methodology, but you know your players and context. Use the advice as input to your thinking, not as instruction to follow blindly.
Is my conversation data stored or shared?
Conversations are processed to generate responses but are not used to train models or shared with third parties. See the full privacy policy at footballgpt.co.
FootballGPT is part of the 360TFT coaching ecosystem. For the complete systematic approach to player development, join the Football Coaching Academy.