Session Planning for Grassroots Coaches, Stop Overcomplicating It!

Most grassroots coaches don’t struggle because they lack passion. They struggle because they don’t have enough time to plan properly. In this episode of the Coerver Coaching Podcast, Alf shares practical advice on session planning for volunteer coaches working with players aged 5–16. We discuss why sessions often become overcomplicated, how to structure training more effectively, and how to balance development with the reality of competitive football. Topics covered (in order): Why session planning is so difficult for grassroots coaches The biggest mistake: too many drills in one session A simple 3-part session structure that works Clever small-sided games, multi-goal and inverted fields How to handle limited planning time Repeating drills vs constantly introducing new ones Coaching less, letting the drill teach Winning vs development, redefining success -Planning for Under 7s, patience and game-based learning Adapting sessions for 12–16 year olds Work-to-rest ratios and player fatigue Boys vs girls, are sessions different? Whether you’re coaching once a week after work or running multiple teams, this conversation gives you a clearer framework for building sessions that are simple, effective, and player-focused. To support your planning, the Coerver Coaching App provides structured session content, ball mastery libraries, and small-sided game ideas that you can use immediately in training. Coerver App: https://onelink.to/565w67?olbm=1 Level up your coaching at: www.playgreatsoccer.com #coervercoaching #coervercoachingpodcast