Elements+of+a+Training+Session

There are certain elements, regardless of age or skill level, that should be included in training sessions for an improvement in performance to occur. These elements include:

OVERVIEW OF SESSION

A brief meeting between the coach and players at the beginning of the training session where the coach outlines the activities and the objectives of the session.

WARM UP The warm up should take atleast 10-15 minutes and include whole body movements eg; running to make the body sweat, specific stretching exercises, callisthenics, and skill rehersal to physically and psychologically prepare the player.

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SKILL INSTRUCTION

Is a lead up to the skills practice and should involve instructions on how skills are to be practiced and performed. Skill instruction can also be repeated at any stage during the skill practice component. Effective instructions should be: Brief, well timed, specific, constructive, clear, informative and demonstratable.

SKILL PRACTICE Usually occupies the majority of the training session. The coach should aim to revise skills already learnt and practice new skills. Skills practice should include individual and group work. It should cover skills practice, individual and group drills, competion like situations and modified games.

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CONDITIONING Many coaches incorporate the conditioning phase of the training session and the skills practice into one component as many drills require speed, power, srength, endurance, agility and coordination. The belief is that this simulates the game situation.Can be done in the form of circuits, interval training, callisthenics and continuos training.

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WARM DOWN

The warm down or cool down should last for 5-10 minutes. It should consist of light whole body movements and stretching to allow players to recover and remove lactic acid build up in the muscles, return breathing, body temperature and heart rates to normal.

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EVALUATION

Allows the coach to recieve feedback on the training session. They can note problems perceived and make necessary changes to the training session. Were the objectives of the session met? If not what worked well what didn't.

SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS

Should be ongoing throughout the training session. The coach should be skilled in injury prevention and management, encourage the use of protective equipment and inspect playing surfaces and equipment before each training session.

HANDOUT ON SOCCER TRAINING SESSION

GLUE IN TIME ALLOCATION OF A 90 MINUTE TRINING SESSION.

GLUE IN THE 5 CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE COACH

ACTIVITY 1

Design a training session for a sport of your choice. Plan for the session to last for approximately 30 minutes. Remember to include the elements of a training session. Use the template from HSC PDHPE Improving Performance Bultitude and Wright 2008 pg; 95.