PRE MATCH

ON PITCH

Warm-Up Routine

Stretches & Jogs

Duration: 5 minutes

• Begin the session with light jogging to gradually raise the heart rate and prepare the muscles for activity.

• Incorporate a series of dynamic stretches, focusing on the major muscle groups used during play, to enhance flexibility and reduce the risk of injury.

• Have each player choose a static stretch.

• Ensure all participants move continuously throughout the five minutes, alternating between jogging and stretching exercises.

 

Number exercise (to include keepers)

Duration: 5 minutes

Each player is assigned a number, as determined by the team.

Participants pass the ball sequentially to the next numbered teammate, then move away, gradually increasing from one to two, then three footballs.

 

Whole team (no keepers)

Duration: 5 minutes

Create a rectangle or square, or even a triangle.

Players pass the ball to the next player at each base, keeping the action continuous; gradually add more balls.

Once the basic exercise is satisfactory, introduce a 1:2 element.

 

Rondo Drill: 4 v 4 v 4

Duration: 5 minutes

• Organise three groups of four players each on the pitch.

• The drill focuses on quick passing, movement off the ball, and maintaining possession under pressure.

• Players rotate between attacking, defending, and supporting roles, ensuring continuous involvement throughout the five-minute period.

• Emphasise communication and teamwork to effectively retain possession and challenge the opposition.

 

Unit Work (1): Defence, Midfield, and Forwards

Duration: 5 minutes

Defence – Working in Fours

Defensive players operate in groups of four, concentrating on coordination, positioning, and collective movement.

The unit works together to maintain a strong defensive line, communicate effectively, and cover space as a cohesive group.

Midfield – Passing and Control

Midfielders focus on passing accuracy and ball control, ensuring fluid transitions and maintaining possession.

The group works on moving the ball efficiently and supporting both defensive and attacking phases, emphasising quick decision-making and teamwork.

Forwards – Shooting and Link Play

Forwards practice shooting techniques, aiming for precision and power.

After their shooting drills, they connect with the midfield to integrate attacking movements, combining passing and finishing in coordinated play.

 

 

Unit Work (2): Defensive and Attacking Exercises

Duration: 5 minutes

Defensive Organisation – Large Square and Long Balls

Defenders set up in a large square formation, focusing on dealing with long balls.

This exercise encourages spatial awareness and the ability to cover greater distances, as well as communication and anticipation when responding to

passes delivered over longer ranges.

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THEN MOVE TO ATTACK V DEFENCE

Back Four – Facing Crosses

The defensive unit transitions into a back four, preparing to face crosses from wide positions.

This drill emphasises positioning, collective movement, and readiness to defend aerial deliveries, helping

the group maintain a solid line and react quickly to threats from the flanks.

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Midfield and Attack – Small Rondo

Midfielders and attackers work together in a compact rondo, concentrating on quick passing, close control, and fast decision-making.

The exercise is designed to enhance technical skills and promote teamwork in tight spaces, ensuring effective support for both offensive and defensive

phases.

Then they break out of rondo for forward to attack the box and midfielder to deliver the ball

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Finish: General Stretches and Passing

Duration: 5 minutes

To finish the session, players take part in a series of general stretches to loosen up their muscles and prepare their bodies for activity.

This phase is conducted in a “social” manner, ensuring everyone eases into the match. Following the main warm up, the group

engages in light passing exercises (long & short), forwards doing shooting practice and players doing “tricks & fun stuff” focusing on

maintaining a calm tempo pre going back to changing room.

TOTAL WARM UP DURATION: 35 minutes max

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IN CHANGING ROOM

• Players come back in to relaxed music

• Toilet breaks, fluid replacement & energy food taken

• Connect before correcting-players respond better when they feel understood; they can’t absorb information if processing

       emotions.

• Be clear, not loud.

• Only one voice at a time.

• NO mixed message

• Deliver clear, respectful messages; connect first, limit to 2–3 points, confirm understanding.

• Ask: “Can we do this?” and clarify: “We need to do this, and this is how.”

• Finish on a positive message

• Leave the dressing room to LOUDER, INSPIRING, music

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BACK ON PITCH

• Re exercise when back on pitch (cone work to get muscles going)

• Team huddle and leader reinforces coach’s comments

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HALF TIME

Use box breathing to help calm players on arrival:

• Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds

• Hold for 4 seconds

• Exhale through your mouth for 4 seconds

• Hold for 4 seconds

• REPEAT

 

Video Coach’s “performance” at Half-Time

• The most impactful sense during half-time discussions is sight rather than hearing; therefore, visual aids are recommended.

• Coaches generally believe their half-time speeches influence the outcome of the game.

• On average, coaches speak for more than six minutes during half-time, which exceeds the time required to read the American

       Declaration of Independence aloud.

 

Hierarchy of needs (consider these in your coaching “delivery”)

1. Physiological (food, water, rest)

2. Safety (physical safety, role security, predictable routine)

3. Belonging (team, trust, inclusion)

4. Esteem (respect, status, confidence)

5. Self-actualisation (achieving potential, creativity, purpose)

 

Common player issues at HT

• No processing time (was still thinking about self and own opinion on first half)

• His behaviours directed me (focused on his activity not the words!!)

• I wasn’t clear on my changes (adrenaline too high to plan properly)

• The follow up with the assistant helped (as they checked my understanding and personalised it)

 

SOME KEY DELIVERY MESSAGES

• Connect before correcting — players respond better when they feel understood; they can’t absorb

        information while processing emotions.

• Be clear, not loud.

• Player input boosts engagement and recall for everyone.

• Balance emotional awareness with tactical guidance.

• Foster a supportive environment.

• Deliver clear, respectful messages; connect first, limit to 2–3 points, confirm understanding.

• Ask: “What are we seeing?” and clarify: “We need to improve here, and this is how.”

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Impacts of doing this well

• Players feel trusted & accountable

• Higher engagement and ownership

• Clear behavioural changes

ALL LEADING TO A MUCH BETTER CHANCE OF PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENTS

 

A TYPICAL COACH PERSPECTIVE

• Doubtful about technology and visual aids

• Prefer longer speeches

• Psychological topics make up 60% of content

 

A TYPICAL PLAYER PERSPECTIVE

Players want tech and visual tools, shorter talks with more breaks, and tactical plus technical info at

halftime.

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Preassign speaking roles before game (e.g. captain, unit coach)

• ONE voice at a time – if two, both stop, and reset

• Use visual aid and only holder speaks

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How to deliver to maintain trust

• Talk in units, not individuals

• Say “I was wrong” occasionally!

• Use stats/data

• Give roles, not criticism (e.g. “full backs your job is to get higher earlier”)

• Talk to players 1:1if changing or “criticising”

 

REVIEW CURRENT HALF TIME

• What issues exist with current HT? Possibly none.

• Who benefits most from Halftime?

• Who belongs in the changing room at Halftime? And when?

 

TIMEPLAN FOR HALFTIME

Minute 1

Players rush to dressing room for a quick toilet break.

 

Minutes 2-5

Breathe deeply

Start calming music

Review first half in groups, eat, hydrate

Write four main points on whiteboard

Coaches outline speech separately

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Minutes 6-14

Announce substitutions to keep everyone attentive.

The Head Coach reviews the first half using visual aids, covering four main points with help from other

coaches if needed.

Keep the remarks under four minutes, aiming for a 60-second summary.

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Minute 14-15

This is the players' last chance to talk before the second half begins. Exit to energetic music, then complete

re-warm up and activation exercises.

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BACK ON PITCH

• Re exercise when back on pitch (cone work to get muscles going)

• Team huddle and leader reinforces coach’s comments