Obtaining Soccer Practice Plans

Obtaining Soccer Practice Plans

© CoachingAmericanSoccer.com®

Sample AI-generated suggestions for obtaining soccer practice plans are listed below.

AI Overview

To generate soccer practice plans using AI, coaches can leverage tools like Coach Frank, the Coach’s Sports Practice Generator, or even large language models like ChatGPT or Claude. These tools can be used to create custom plans based on specific age groups, skill levels, and desired outcomes. Some tools even analyze videos of practices to provide personalized training recommendations.

Coach Frank:  This mobile app offers instant, custom soccer session plans tailored to your players and environment.

Coach’s Sports Practice Generator (Magic School):   This tool generates plans for various sports, including soccer, with options for athleticism, skill development, and team strategy.

ChatGPT/Claude:  These large language models can be prompted to create practice plans, including breaking down a season into weekly plans, incorporating reflection questions, and suggesting individual goals. You can provide the AI with information like the team’s schedule, rules, and handbooks to customize the plans further.

This YouTube video suggests how to use AI to generate soccer training sessions:  A.I. for Soccer Coaches

ChatGPT said:

Here are the best ways for youth soccer coaches to ask ChatGPT for practice plans, ensuring clear, relevant, and tailored responses:

  1. Specify the Age Group

Example: “Create a one-hour soccer practice plan for U10 players focusing on ball control.”  ChatGPT can better match activities to developmental stages (e.g., shorter games for U6, technical drills for U14).

  1. State the Skill or Topic Focus

Examples:  “Give me a practice plan that improves passing and movement for youth players.”  “Create a session on 1v1 defending for U12s.”  The more specific, the better the drill recommendations will match.

  1. Include Time, Number of Players, or Equipment

Examples:  “I have 12 players, 6 cones, and 3 balls. Provide a 75-minute practice plan for U8s.”  “Design a practice for 60 minutes that includes a warm-up, technical drill, small-sided game, and cool down.”  This helps create practical sessions that fit your situation.

  1. Mention the Coaching Level or Environment

Examples:  “I coach a beginner U10 rec team with one practice per week.”  “Give me an advanced session for a competitive U14 team preparing for a tournament.”  This guides the intensity and complexity of the drills.

  1. Ask for Printable or Shareable Formats

Example: “Provide the session in a printable format I can use on the field.”  ChatGPT can present the session as a clear outline with headings, time blocks, and bullet points.

  1. Request Variations or Progressions

Examples: “Include progressions to make the drill harder or easier.”  “Offer game-like alternatives to basic dribbling drills.”  This makes your session adaptable on the fly.

  1. Ask for Weekly or Seasonal Plans

Examples: “Give me a 4-week training plan for a U9 team focused on fundamentals.”  “Design a season-long plan for U11s with one 90-minute practice per week.”  Useful for long-term planning or curriculum building.

Bonus: Ask for Help Tweaking or Fixing Existing Plans

Example:  “Here’s my plan. Can you suggest improvements or age-appropriate alternatives?”

ChatGPT also said:

Here are several alternative ways that a youth soccer coach can obtain practice plans:

  1. Coaching Websites and Online Platforms
  • Free Resources: Websites like US Youth Soccer, SoccerCoachTV.com, and CoachingAmericanSoccer.com provide downloadable or viewable practice plans.
  • Subscription Platforms: Paid platforms like The Coaching Manual, MOJO Sports App, and SportSessionPlanner offer customizable session plans and video drills.
  • YouTube Channels: Coaches can find full practice sessions or individual drills demonstrated by professionals on channels like 7MLC or Progressive Soccer.
  1. Coaching Education and Certification Courses
  • National Licensing: Enrolling in courses offered by USSF (United States Soccer Federation), United Soccer Coaches, or state-level associations provides structured plans and teaching methodology.
  • Local Coaching Clinics: Attending clinics or workshops often includes access to session templates and seasonal planning guides.
  1. Books and Manuals
  • Youth Coaching Books: Books like “Soccer Practice Games” by Joe Luxbacher or “The Baffled Parent’s Guide to Coaching Youth Soccer” include age-specific session plans.
  • Technical Manuals: National federations (e.g., U.S. Soccer, England FA) publish coaching handbooks with full session outlines.
  1. Peer Networking and Mentoring
  • Coaching Communities: Joining local or online coaching groups (e.g., Facebook groups, Reddit’s r/CoachingSoccer) allows sharing of successful plans.
  • Mentorship: Experienced coaches often share their session libraries or provide guidance on how to build effective practices.
  1. Mobile Apps
  • MOJO, Soccer Coach Pro, and Planet Training provide easy-to-use mobile apps that deliver pre-built practice sessions based on age and skill level.
  • Many of these apps offer video demonstrations, printable PDFs, and planning calendars.
  1. Club or League Templates
  • Club Curriculum: Many clubs provide coaches with standardized seasonal plans and training session templates.
  • League Resources: Recreational and competitive leagues often publish coaching handbooks or recommend specific developmental frameworks.
  1. Create Your Own Using Templates
  • Excel or Word Templates: Use a basic session plan format to create customized practices based on team needs.
  • AI Tools: Tools like ChatGPT or other AI assistants can help generate session plans based on input criteria (age group, skill focus, number of players).

 

Soccer Coaching Tips:

Be careful with some of the results that are returned.  As with all internet materials, a few products may be questionable or incorrect.  Use a critical eye about what you might receive and test it in advance if you can. Remember that ultimate liability for the protection of players for any given drill or instruction remains with the coach and the organization.  (Two worst case examples:  1.) Participants in a “Low-Impact Aerobics Class” were directed to play indoor soccer with no instructions – a woman lost an eye due to a ball kicked into her face; 2.) Players were instructed to shoot balls at a teammate standing facing away from them at the goal line – fortunately when administrators found out, they stopped the coach before a serious and potentially disastrous concussion was incurred.

© John C. Harves