Planning Effective Sessions

​As a coach you cannot just “wing” a practice session. Your athletes will immediately know if you have not effectively prepared for the session. Your athletes will see it, sense it, and will respond to your lack of structure. Effective session planning takes time, skill, and thought. Coaches should create a session plan, similar to a lesson plan used by classroom teachers, for every session with athletes. Good session planning is a skill that requires training, patience, practice, and guidance. When a coach plans well, most of the work is done and then all that is left is to have fun coaching the session. Coaches who do not plan effective sessions end up struggling with behavior iisues, off-task athletes, and general chaos. In addition, for athletes to learn a new skill or perform better, the session must be well thought out and well executed.
​Dr. Jon Metz, Methods of Coaching

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