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Your first steps with We Are Matchday

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New to coaching? Start here

You do not need any experience. Follow these 5 steps and you will have a safe, fun first session ready to go.

  1. Get safe first. If you coach under-18s you need an FA DBS check and safeguarding training. Read our safeguarding summary and talk to your club welfare officer.
  2. Pick your age group. Each age group has its own programme. It also shows the FA age phase: Foundation Phase (5-11), Youth Development Phase (12-16) or Professional Development Phase (17-21).
  3. Build a session in 2 minutes. Open the Session Builder. Choose the age, how many players and coaches you have, what to work on, and how long. It gives you a full plan to print.
  4. Run it. Each drill tells you What you need, How to set it up, What to do and What to look for. Show it once, then let them play. Praise often.
  5. Review and adjust. Ask players what went well. Next time, make drills harder or easier using STEP: change the Space, Task, Equipment or Players.

Stuck on a word? Look it up in the glossary, or tap any dotted word.

Want to learn more? England Football Learning has free courses and articles, including the Introduction to Coaching Football course: learn.englandfootball.com. Aligned with England Football coaching guidance, not endorsed by The FA.

Where next?

A coach running a training session with cones Coaches Sessions and drills Age-right plans for every band. Healthy food laid out for a meal Fuel Nutrition and meal planner Recipes by age and a weekly shopping list. Gym equipment ready for a strength session Players Gym and tracking Workouts, progress and your player card.