Planning a Football Training and Competition Season Planning a Training Session Special Olympics athletes respond well to a simple, well-structured training routine with which they can become familiar. An organized plan, prepared before you get to the field, will help establish such a routine and help make best use of your limited time. A recommended training plan is outlined below. Warming Up/Stretching • • • • Every player warms up with a ball; i.e., low-intensity dribbling drills. Stretch each muscle group. Have players lead the stretching while coaches assist individual players when necessary. Finish the warm-up with a fun dribbling/tag game. Essential Components of Planning a Football Training Session Skills Instruction • • • • • • Quickly review and practice previously taught skills. Introduce the theme of the skills activity. Demonstrate skills simply and dramatically. Divide into groups of six or less for practice. Physically assist and prompt lower ability players when necessary. Introduce and practice new skills early in the practice session. Competition Experience • • • • Players learn a lot by simply playing the game. The game is a great teacher. Use minigames (one vs. one / three vs. three) to teach basic rules and game understanding. Use scrimmages to teach basic positions and restarts. Always allow at least 10 minutes of free play where the coach says nothing. Let them play. Cool Down • • • Slow run/walk/stretch. As the players cool down, comment on the session and the next game. Finish with a team cheer. Special Olympics Football Coaching Guide Created: February 2004 9