Show Notes
Planning is a crucial skill for coaches but knowing where to start and what a plan should look like can be a challenge.
In this episode, FA physical education officer, Debbie Barry, returns to Coachcast to share her expertise on creating effective plans that support both players and coaches.
Debbie works with trainee teachers and coaches in schools, helping them use football as a tool for physical development. We cover everything you need to know to get started with planning.
Debbie breaks down how to put together the range of plans we use, from short-term session plans to season-long strategies, offering practical advice for coaches at all levels.
Whether you’re a coach looking to improve your approach to planning or just starting out, Debbie’s insights will help you create plans that make a real impact.
In this episode, we cover:
why planning is so important and what a plan should look like
how to approach planning for different age groups and ability levels
the difference between short, medium, and long-term plans and how to link them to the overarching themes of the season
practical tips for planning when you’re short on time
when to be adaptable and when to switch things up
advice for reviewing plan progress so you know what to tweak
what individual development plans are and when to use them
where coaches can find support with planning
and much more.
Transcript on the England Football community (https://bit.ly/3BhYUvi)
—————
Do you have any coaching questions you’d like answers to? Or perhaps you’re facing a coaching challenge that you’d like help with? Simply head over to our England Football Community forum (https://community.thefa.com/coaching/f/youth-club-football-forum) and post them there. Or leave them in the comments below. We can then put them to our guests in future episodes to get their advice!
Already listened to this episode or the previous seasons of Coachcast? We’d love to hear from you! Pass on your feedback by contacting us via [email protected].
LEARN MORE
England Football Learning - https://learn.englandfootball.com/
England Football Community - https://community.thefa.com/
England Football Learning on YouTube -
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCisPO86aEIhWRTnTS1vrSVw
England Football Learning X/Twitter - https://twitter.com/EnglandLearning
Email - [email protected]
LISTEN
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4sA9fHoldaH1x5Wn3vdmsB
Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coachcast/id159180480
Editing and show notes by Claricast.(https://www.clarioncast.com/)
More from Coachcast
Matchday is about more than just what happens during the game. It's an opportunity to enjoy playing, build confidence and feel part of the team. To get the most out of matchday, though, it’s a coach's job to create a positive experience. Zahid Patel, regional manager for the grassroots workforce, returns to Coachcast to explore how coaches can create a more positive matchday experience for players and everyone else involved. Zahid shares practical ideas that coaches can use before, during and after matches to support players and encourage parents to do so too. If you’ve got a matchday coming up, and want to ensure the experience is a positive one for your players, regardless of the outcome, this episode is for you. In this episode: 0:00 – Intro
What can the latest game insights tell you about how you coach? You don’t have to coach the top levels of the game to get valuable insights from how the game is played at the top levels. Luke Saunders and Jess Saunders, FA game insights analysts, join us in this episode to explore what the latest insights from the top level of the game can teach grassroots coaches. We dive deep into what the data tells us about possession starts, transitions, finishing and much more. Luke and Jess explain how you can use these insights to create more realistic and effective practices for your players. Whether you're planning your next practice or looking for new ways to challenge your players, this episode gives you practical insights you can start implementing today. Covered in this episode: 0:00 – Intro.
Are you getting the most out of your players? The format of the game can have a huge impact on how players learn, make decisions and enjoy football. Understanding why each format exists can help you create better learning experiences every week. In this episode, Chris Welburn, coach development manager, explains the thinking behind each format. You'll learn which formats are right for which stage and help build your players’ decision making skills. We also explore how to create the right environment for learning and how to help players get the most from every stage of their development. Whether you're planning sessions or for matchday, this episode will help you get more from every format. Access the webinar: https://learn.englandfootball.com/ongoing-learning/Grassroots-Webinars/2627/develop-my-players-across-different-game-formats Get the Know Your Format guide: https://futurefit.englandfootball.com/futurefit/faqs/where-can-i-find-out-more-about-the-changes-to-youth-football/index.html FutureFit Hub: https://futurefit.englandfootball.com/futurefit/ Covered in this episode: 0:00 – Intro.
Every coach has an impact on the players they support. What kind of impact are you having? In this episode, Preeti Shokar joins Coachcast to explore what it means to be a positive role model and why it matters. Preeti coaches the Derby County U18s with a focus on analysis. She shares practical advice to help coaches create fun learning environments and support players in training and on matchday. Whether you're coaching your first session or preparing for a new season, this conversation will help you understand how your words, actions and behaviours can shape a player's experience of football and leave a long lasting impression. Covered in this episode: 0:00 – Intro.
A session that’s fun, safe and welcoming is one that ensures players not only want to come back for more every week, but also continue to develop. And in this episode, Andy Somers, senior manager for grassroots coach development, shares practical advice on planning and delivering sessions that are fun, safe and welcoming for every player. From helping children feel excited to attend sessions, to adapting practices and responding positively to mistakes, Andy explains how even the smallest actions can have a lasting impact. Whether you’re new to coaching or have years of experience, this episode is full of practical ideas to help you create an environment where players feel confident and motivated to keep coming back. Covered in this episode: 0:00 – Intro.