Six Steps to a More Effective Practice
by Robert Parr

As coaches, it seems we never have enough training time to cover all the topics on our list of priorities. We could practice every day of the year and this likely would still be the case, but the truth is that many coaches don't make the best use of the time they do have with their players. So, with efficiency as our goal, here are six simple steps you should take to ensure that your players are getting the maximum benefit possible from your training sessions:

Have a plan.

It seems obvious, but you can't run an effective practice without a plan! Before you ever step on the field, you must first spend some time organizing your ideas into a cohesive training session. A good practice plan will focus on a specific topic, follow a logical progression, and be written down so you can refer to it as you move through each activity in your session. In addition, your plan should include a list of the specific teaching points you intend to make during your practice, as this will help you stay focused on the corrections that are most important.

Organize your equipment.

Using your plan to guide you, set up all the equipment you'll need for your session before practice begins. Arrive at the training site early enough to get your goals and nets in place, grids marked off with cones, vests set out, and balls inflated properly. As you move through each activity in the practice, keep extra balls close by so that you can keep play moving without having to stop and chase stray balls during each exercise. Finally, seek ways to simplify the transitions between activities--have your players help you re-organize your equipment before taking water breaks, set up "grids within grids" that allow you to expand playing areas by just removing a few cones, and keep extra vests available to modify teams quickly.

Use the lines on the field.

A properly-marked soccer field provides you with many different areas that you can use to bound your small-sided training activities. By taking advantage of existing lines, you can greatly reduce the number of cones you have to set out while also providing a more game-realistic training environment for your players. For example:

use the centre circle for individual dribbling activities
play 3v2 or 4v2 keepaway in the space between the touchline, the goal line, and the edge of the penalty area
use the penalty area to constrain 4v4 games
play 7v7 games across the width of half a field, between the halfway line and the top of the penalty area

Communicate clearly.

If you want your players to respond to your coaching, you must communicate your thoughts clearly to them. To help do this, be sure to speak in a voice that is loud enough for all players on the field to hear you, and ask questions periodically to confirm that they actually heard and understood what you said. When you are setting up a new activity, bring your players close to you (as a group), and give them a concise explanation of what they will be doing next. As you talk with your team, make eye contact with each player (remove any sunglasses so that they can actually see your eyes). Finally, use brief demonstrations whenever possible to "paint a picture" for your players, especially if your activity is somewhat complex or involves a large number of coaching points.

Minimize distractions.

As the coach, you need to be aware of any environmental factors that may distract your players' attention from you or the task at hand, and take steps to minimize their impact on your session. Perhaps the most common concern is the sun -- when you address your players (individually or as a group), be sure to orient yourself so that they don't have to look into a bright sun to see you. However, each location will have its own unique concerns -- such as traffic on nearby roads, other teams practicing on adjacent fields, or well-meaning parents getting too involved in your session -- and you must actively manage these conditions so that they don't negatively influence your players' focus during the practice.

Keep play moving

As mentioned previously, you should keep a plentiful supply of balls nearby so you can serve in a new ball as soon as the previous one is knocked out of play. In addition, to keep your training as economical as possible, you should employ other methods that will keep play moving. For example, you can award throw-ins and kick-ins to whichever team grabs an out-of-play ball first, or penalize both teams whenever the ball stops moving during an activity. You can also pull individual players aside to make corrective comments without stopping play, or allow one group to continuing playing while you address comments to a different group.

Again, our goal is to make the best-possible use of the limited training time we have with our players. Invest a little time getting organized before each practice, provide clear and concise explanations to your players, and keep everyone working as much as possible, and you may find you have enough time with your players after all!