Starting Point: Why the Test at All
The entry into the test was pragmatic. A U13 team, 14 players, 2 training sessions per week, plus a game on the weekend. Previous training planning: Excel and notebooks, sometimes exercises from YouTube videos.
Previously, planning took about 45 minutes per session – sometimes more. This was unsatisfactory. Not because the sessions were bad, but because time was lacking elsewhere.
The reason for the test: Curiosity. Can an AI training planner really take over the work – without compromising quality?
Day 1: Setup and First Session
The Setup
Setup took approximately 7 minutes:
- Create team (name, age group, average player count)
- Enter season calendar (training days, match dates)
- Brief introduction to the interface structure
No endless tutorial. No manual to read first. After 7 minutes, it was clear how the AI generator works.
The First Session: 25 Seconds
The first test: Training session for Tuesday. U13 team, 14 players, 90 minutes, focus on passing.
Inputting the parameters: approx. 2 minutes.
Result after clicking "Generate": 25 seconds.
What appeared: A complete training session with 5 exercises in 4 phases (Activation, Technical Block, Main Part, Free Play), each exercise with animation, coaching points, time indication, and material list.
First impression: The plan was solid. Not perfect – but as a foundation, significantly better than a blank sheet of paper.
What was adjusted: One exercise in the activation phase was a bit too complex for the start. Replaced with a click, new exercise selected, done. That took 3 minutes.
Total time Day 1: ~12 minutes instead of 45 minutes.
Days 2 and 3: Routine and Initial Findings
On the second and third training days, the process ran more smoothly. The parameters were already saved – only the focus and date needed to be changed.
What stood out:
- The exercise selection was, on average, sensible and methodically structured
- The progression (no opponents → time pressure → opponents) was often correctly integrated
- The time planning was realistic
What was still missing:
A feel for periodization. When is the focus on technique? When is there more free play? The coach still made these decisions manually.
Day 4: Sketch Tested
On the fourth day, Sketch was tested – the drawing tool for creating your own exercises.
Starting point: An exercise from the coach's own repertoire that had only existed in their head until now. It was to be added to the database.
The Sketch process:
1. Field setup via drag-and-drop: player figures, goals, cones, arrows
2. Click on "Let AI describe"
3. Wait: approx. 30 seconds
4. Result: Title, description, 3 coaching points, age recommendation, variation option – automatically generated
Honest assessment: The title and description were accurate. Two out of three coaching points were good. One was a bit generic – and was manually adjusted.
Total time: approx. 4 minutes for a custom exercise that is now permanently in the database and can be suggested by the AI generator.
Days 5 and 6: The Strengths Emerge
After 5 days, it was clear: The AI training planner has real strengths.
Strength 1: Exercise Variety
The database has enough depth to ensure you won't have seen everything in just two weeks. The AI rarely suggested the same exercise in two consecutive sessions.
Strength 2: Time Savings
The average was about 8–12 minutes per complete training plan. Including adjustments. That's at least a 50% reduction in previous time.
Strength 3: Structure as a Prompt for Reflection
What was interesting: The AI suggestions prompted a re-evaluation of one's own planning. "Why do I choose this exercise and not that one?" The AI makes implicit decisions explicit.
Day 7: The Honest Critique
After 7 days, there are also points that are not perfect.
Critique Point 1: Periodization Requires More Clicks
If you want to link the sessions in a season plan – essentially creating a periodization line – it's possible, but not immediately intuitive. You need to delve a bit deeper into the system. This isn't a blocker, but it costs 10–15 minutes of familiarization.
Critique Point 2: Sketch Has a Learning Curve
The drawing tool is powerful – but it takes 2–3 runs to understand all its functions. Especially the multi-phase animations are not immediately self-explanatory. Nothing you can't learn in 30 minutes – but a note for anyone who wants to get started immediately.
What isn't a critique: That the AI doesn't deliver a flawless session at the push of a button. That was never the claim. The coach reviews and decides. That's correct.
The Conclusion After 7 Days
What remains:
The AI training planner is a valuable tool. It saves time, provides solid foundations, and keeps the decision-making authority with the coach.
Does training quality change?
Yes – but not by the AI alone. The time savings mean: more energy for the field. You arrive prepared, relaxed, and focused – not rushed and half-done.
Would you continue to use it?
Yes. Not for every session without insight – but as a standard process: AI suggestion, 5 minutes of adjustment, done.
What Coach OS Means for You After the Test
Coach OS is the AI training planner used in this test. If you want to test it yourself:
Coach OS offers:
- AI generator for complete sessions in under 30 seconds
- 1,200+ animated exercises as a foundation
- Sketch for custom exercises with AI description
- Player OS for players
- PDF export
- GDPR compliant, servers in Germany
→ Test for free: coach-os.de
FAQ: AI Football Training Planner
How long does it take to set up an AI training planner?
With Coach OS: approx. 7 minutes for basic setup. Afterwards, the first session can be generated immediately.
How quickly does the AI create a training session?
The AI generator in Coach OS takes under 30 seconds. Including review and adjustments, the total time is 5–10 minutes.
What happens if I don't like the AI session?
You can swap individual exercises, change sequences, and add your own notes. The AI provides a suggestion – not a fixed session.
Can the AI consider my own exercises?
Yes. Custom exercises created via Sketch are added to your personal database. The AI can suggest them for the next session.
Is the AI training planner also suitable for less experienced coaches?
Yes. Less experienced coaches, in particular, benefit from the AI suggesting methodically structured sessions. This provides a solid foundation that can be supplemented with your own experience.
What does an AI football training planner cost?
Coach OS can be tested for free. You can find the conditions for the full version on coach-os.de.