What we need to clarify first
Before diving into the details, three important points:
Point 1: Beware of stereotypes
"Girls are like this" or "boys are like that" – generalisations are rarely accurate. Within a girls' squad, the differences are often greater than between girls and boys.
What we describe here are statistical tendencies, not hard-and-fast rules.
Point 2: Take individual players seriously
You are not coaching "the girls". You are coaching Lisa, Sara, Marie and 15 other individual players. Falling back on stereotypes means overlooking the individual player.
Point 3: Girls' football is football
The fundamentals are identical: technique, game intelligence, team identity, fun. There is no separate "girls' methodology".
What differs are often emphases and focal points – not the essence. A topic that is usually overlooked entirely is explored in our article on Menstrual Cycle and Training in Women's Football.
Physical differences – and what they mean for training
Up to around the age of 12, physical differences between boys and girls are minimal. With puberty, differences begin to emerge:
What changes from around 12–13 years of age
- Boys develop more muscle mass due to testosterone
- Girls develop a wider pelvis (Q-angle at the knee)
- Risk of knee injuries in girls increases – especially the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
- Speed development follows a different trajectory
Consequences for training
Knee stabilisation training is more critical in girls' football than in boys' football. Studies show that ACL tears in girls are 4–8 times more frequent than in boys.
Specific drills that reduce the risk of ACL injuries:
- Lunges with stabilisation
- Single-leg squats
- Systematically training jump-and-land mechanics
- Static hold exercises (glute bridges, planks)
In Coach OS, these stabilisation drills are integrated into the database, often as a warm-up component.
Strength training is just as beneficial from the age of 14 as it is with boys – but with a different emphasis. Core stability and lower-limb alignment have a higher priority.
Mental and communicative differences
Here too, these are statistical tendencies, not fixed rules:
Tendency 1: Higher social sensitivity
Girls' teams are often more socially sensitive. Conflicts between individual players can impact the entire squad.
What this means for you: Address conflicts early. Actively manage team cohesion. Do not expect disputes to resolve themselves.
Tendency 2: Stronger impact of coaching language
Negative coaching language statistically has a stronger impact on girls' teams than on boys. What boys might perceive as a blunt instruction can be received as personal criticism by girls.
What this means for you: Use precise language, avoid sarcasm, and describe rather than dictate.
Tendency 3: Preference for consensus in decisions
Girls' teams often want to understand the reasoning behind decisions. "We are doing this now because I say so" works far less effectively.
What this means for you: Provide the rationale. Briefly explain the "why" behind tactical decisions.
Tendency 4: Greater self-criticism
Girls statistically lean towards higher levels of self-criticism. Statements like "I can't do this" or "I'm playing poorly" are heard more frequently.
What this means for you: Provide proactive positive reinforcement. Purposefully build up players who downplay their own ability.
What stays the same in the training setup
Lest it sound too much as if "girls are completely different": much of it is identical:
- Training content (technique, tactics, match-based drills)
- Training frequency and duration
- Tactical system logic
- Player development concepts
- Season planning
- Periodisation
You do not need a separate methodology for girls' football. You need sensitivity in how you apply it.
Specific topics in girls' football
Topic 1: Menstruation
From around 11–13 years of age, girls start menstruating. This impacts both training sessions and matches:
- Performance capacity can be reduced during periods
- Some players experience severe pain
- Injury risk can be heightened during certain phases
- In professional football, cycle-based training is now actively utilised
What you can do as a youth coach:
- Destigmatise the topic ("It is completely normal for this to affect you at times")
- Accept requests to sit out drills without demanding justification
- Recommend a sports doctor if pain is severe
- Have an assistant coach as a point of contact (ideally a female member of the coaching staff)
You don't need to practice gynaecology. But you shouldn't act as if the topic doesn't exist either.
Topic 2: Body perception
During puberty, physical proportions change considerably. Some girls become self-conscious about their bodies, feel observed, and withdraw.
What you can do as a coach:
- Ensure kits fit properly (not too tight, not too loose)
- Avoid comments on physical appearance (even seemingly positive ones like "you look great")
- If girls feel uncomfortable changing: arrange suitable changing room solutions
- Approach players gently if their attendance suddenly drops
Topic 3: Parent dynamics
In girls' teams, parent dynamics often differ from boys' setups. There is more direct support, but sometimes also more protective instincts.
What you can do:
- Establish clear communication channels
- Actively involve parents when addressing sensitive issues
- Avoid overprotecting, but respect that parents may want to be more present
What you need to consider with co-ed teams
In younger age groups (U7, U9, often still U11), girls and boys play together. Keep the following in mind:
Keep language gender-neutral
"Lads, over here" excludes girls. "Team" or "everyone" is much better.
Distribute playing time and starting line-ups fairly
Girls are sometimes given less game time in mixed teams. Keep an active eye on this.
Address gender-based conflict immediately
Put an immediate stop to comments like "You can't play with girls" or similar remarks. Enforce a clear rule.
Coaching setup in girls' football
Three recommendations:
Recommendation 1: A diverse coaching staff
Ideally, the coaching staff includes at least one male and one female coach. This helps with sensitive topics, changing room logistics, and 1v1 conversations.
Recommendation 2: Introduce role models
Bundesliga professionals from the women's game. Footage from European Championships and World Cups. Role models help strengthen identity and self-confidence.
Recommendation 3: Don't frame girls' football as an "exceptional case"
Girls' football is football. Not "football for girls". Choose your language and attitude accordingly.
How Coach OS supports you in girls' football
Coach OS isn't "Girls' Coach OS" – the platform is gender-neutral. However, the drill database contains numerous stabilisation and knee-protection drills that are particularly relevant in girls' football.
In the player profile, you record 17 attributes across 4 areas, as always. No difference here either – the evaluation logic applies regardless of gender.
What you do: set different focal points in your training sessions. Sketch allows you to create your own drills tailored specifically to your team.
Growth of girls' football as an opportunity
Three observations:
Observation 1: More players
The pool of female players has been growing for years. Clubs that get involved early benefit in the long run.
Observation 2: Greater media coverage
Euro 2025, World Cup matches, live Bundesliga broadcasts – these build role models and inspire motivation.
Observation 3: Sponsorships and infrastructure are improving
Areas that were long under-resourced (coaching courses specifically for girls' football, dedicated regional centres, professional setups) are improving. Clubs should take advantage of this.
Frequently Asked Questions about Girls' Football
Conclusion: Girls' football is an opportunity and an enrichment
Taking over a girls' team as a coach introduces you to a growing, dynamic area of the game. With sensitivity, respect, and a willingness to examine your own assumptions, you will do a great job.
The fundamentals of good coaching apply everywhere: fair treatment, clear communication, and systematic development. Coach OS gives you the structure – bringing the sensitivity is your role.
Coach OS is the platform for football training planning. From Hamburg.