Supporting grassroots coaches to improve the player experience on matchdays
Ensure this is used a guide and applied correctly to your context – whether that is in grassroots or representative football.
Matchday Areas
Pre-Game
| Before Kick off | SAP |
| 30-45 min | Arrival – set up the pitch – check attendance – modify game plan – set up warm up |
| 30-35 min | Player preparation |
| 25-30 min | Warm up start – all players ready (equipment, ball, drink bottle, bibs etc) |
| 5 min | Pre-game talk – set up for kick-off |
Pre game talk : Starting players – Overview of the week – Objectives of the game (ideally linked to the week of training) – How to reach the objectives
Warm up : we want the players physically, technically and mentally ready to play a game. Organise GK warm up if possible
E.g. : FIFA 11+ kids – Ball mastery – 10 min
Rondo 3v1-4v1 then 4v2-5v2 – 7 min
4v4-5v5 + 1 – end zone (BP team in overload) – 7 min
| Before Kick off | Youth |
| 60+ min | Arrival – set up the pitch – check attendance – modify game plan – set up warm up |
| 55 min | Pre game talk |
| 45 min | Player preparation – individual talk |
| 35 min | Warm up start – all players ready (equipment, ball, drink bottle, bibs etc) |
| 5 min | Players preparation – Pre-game talk – set up for kick-off – Check injuries |
Pre game talk : Starting players- Impact players – Overview of the week – Objectives of the game (ideally linked to the week of training) – How to reach the objectives – Opposition – Set pieces
Warm up : we want the players physically, technically and mentally ready to play a game. GK must have his routine.
Ex : FIFA 11+ – 15 min
Rondo 4v2-5v2 or passing practice- 5 min
4v4-5v5 + 1 – end zone (BP team in overload) – 10 min
During the Game
- Focus on the team you are working with
- Focus on the opposition and their role to positively impact each other and the teams performance
- Record data – number of shots, set pieces, offsides, player challenges
- Plan and anticipate – game checklist, tasks, plan the substitutes
| After Kick off | SAP & YOUTH |
| 0 to 10 min | Our team: Is the intensity satisfying? Do the players understand their role? If not, eventually take a Player off 1 or 2 min to explain and reinforce the message. – tying in with rotation of subs Opposition: formation, strength and weaknesses, what is the impact on our team – take notes/stats |
| 10 min to Half time | Manage Substitutions – Identify the main ideas for half time – Take notes/stats – opposition substitution and impact on our team – Assess players |
| After Half time | SAP & YOUTH |
| 0 – 10 min | Our team: are the players trying to apply what has been said at half time? If not, eventually take a player off 1 or 2 min to explain and reinforce the message Opposition: look for changes and impact on our team Take notes/stats |
| 10 min to End | Manage substitutions – opposition substitution and impact on our team. Take notes/stats – Assess players |
Half Time
- Players need to recover – hydration and time to self-reflect initially
- Give the right amount of information
- Plan and anticipate – Plan the intervention – 3-4 points maximum
- What are the main areas that the group need support in following the first half?
| Half time | SAP & YOUTH |
| 0 to 3 min | Players are recovering – informal chat – players chat with each other – coach quiet, observe and finalise the 3-4 main points |
| 3-6 min | Open chat with players – What are we doing well? What can we do better? Introduce some of the 3-4 main points if players are raising them |
| 6-9 min | Chat with the players individually – raise the points not mentioned before |
| 9-10 min | Recap/summarise what has been said – learn by repetition, use a different communication approach (i.e., Q&A, trial and error – have you tried this?) |
End of the Game
- Cool down – stretch
- Game review
- Plan and anticipate – 1st 5 minutes after the game
| End of the game | SAP |
| 0 to 5 min | End of the game protocol – players chat – plan what to talk about in the review |
| 5 – 10 min | Stretch & game review |
| 10 min + | Eventually individual talk / talk with parents |
| End of the game | YOUTH |
| 0 to 5 min | End of the game protocol – players chat |
| 5 to 15 min | Cool down : slow dynamic stretch – static stretch |
| 15 – 20 min | Game review & next week focus |
| 20 min + | Eventually individual talk / talk with parents |
Game review: Consider the players’ emotional state. Identify what went well and what need to be improved, collectively and individually.