Making a Soccer Lesson Plan

Design, Diagram and Make Sense

When making a lesson plan remember the following points:

• Design your session for no the number of players on the team.
• Make sure your drills and activities are age specific.
• Design activities to flow from simple to complex – add elements of the game as you progress.
• Design session to include:
  1. Warm-up.
  2. Small-sided activity (e.g. 4v2 keep away).
  3. Expanded small-sided activity, with discretion.
  4. 6v6 (5v5 plus keepers) to two large goals.
• Use progression for teaching techniques or tactics as a guide for planning session.
• Use the appropriate space on the lesson plan to diagram your activity, describe the organization and list the key coaching points.
• Include the objectives of the game or exercise and the method of scoring.
• If using restrictions, make sure they are applicable to your objective and topic.
• Include the general dimensions for the playing area – you should be prepared to adjust the size during your session if needed.
• Use the area of the field that is most applicable to your topic if possible to provide a clearer reference for your players.
• Make sure your activities are realistic to the game.

When diagramming, remember the following points:

• Keep diagrams simple.
• Use a straight line for a pass – a dotted line for a run – a scribbled line for a dribble.
• Indicate size of the area on lesson plan next to diagram.
• Indicate neutral players with an N.

Make sure your practice makes sense:

• Does it look like soccer?
• Will your players understand where the practice fits in the game?
• Are the objectives you set for the players to achieve realistic?
• Are your instructions clear and to the point?
• Does the activity or practice bring out the actual elements of the game?