Plan, deliver and review like a UEFA C coach

Simple principles of the game

In possession (attacking)

• Penetrate — think forward, look forward, run forward.
• Creativity — individuals and combinations to unlock defences.
• Movement & support play — help the player on the ball.
• Create space — for yourself or a teammate.
• If you can’t go forward, keep the ball until you can.

Out of possession (defending)

• Delay & press — win it back quickly when you can.
• Patience — if not, get ball-side / goal-side.
• Cover, compact, balance — stay together.

Technical Guide goals

• Skilful players — notice and nurture skill across ages, abilities and positions.
• Inspirational opportunities — match needs to the right game problems.
• Transformational coaches — positive climate, quality relationships, empowerment.

Skill is more than a mazy dribble: capabilities before, during and after the ball — attacking and defending.

Development Framework themes

• Player — know players to help them become more skilful.
• Game — formats, characteristics and principles of play.
• Coaching — short-term programmes, aligned behaviours, engaging practices.
• Self — strengths, areas for development, solutions in role.

Assessment language moves from Emerging → Developing → Acquiring → Accomplishing.

Structuring sessions

• Whole–Part–Whole — game, focused practice, return to game.
• Carousel — related stations, then matchday transfer.
• Up the Steps — build complexity from technique toward the game.
• Practice spectrum — unopposed → opposed → game-related → games.
• Protect ball-rolling time and realistic decisions.
• Use STEP (Space, Task, Equipment, People) to differentiate.

Session plan checklist

• Learning outcomes & coaching points
• Player engagement & coach behaviours
• Safety considerations
• Arrival / warm-up
• Practices linked to principles of play
• Game / matchday transfer
• Review against intentions

Game format matters

From your UEFA C Activity 1 reflections: 3v3 can maximise touches and ball-rolling time; larger formats emphasise decision-making, positioning and communication; futsal-style constraints can overload receiving, intercepting and 1v1s. Choose the format that serves the intention.