What a good training plan template must include: 6 criteria
Not every template is equally good. These six characteristics distinguish useful templates from useless ones.
Criterion 1: Clear focus
A template without a defined focus is merely a timetable. Good templates have a core theme running through every drill.
Criterion 2: Age-appropriate drill selection
What works for U15 will overwhelm U9. Every template must suit the age group – in complexity, player numbers, and training format.
Criterion 3: Accurate timing
Time allocations per phase and drill. Buffer time for set-up and pack-down. A realistic estimate of how long explanations take.
Criterion 4: Progressive logic
Drills are not arranged randomly. Phase 1 prepares phase 2, and phase 2 prepares phase 3. That is progression.
Criterion 5: Coaching points
What does the coach observe during each drill? Without coaching points, a template is merely an itinerary – not an educational concept.
Criterion 6: Equipment list
What do you need for this session? Know in advance what must be collected from the equipment room.
Template 1: U9 (U8/U9) – Ball familiarity, 75 minutes
| Phase | Drill | Duration | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activation | Tag game with ball: whoever loses the ball must go to the coach | 10 min | Balls for everyone |
| Technique | Passing circuit: players dribble through cone slalom, finishing pass to partner | 15 min | Cones, balls |
| Main part | 3v3+floater: small-sided game with neutral floater player | 20 min | Cone goals, bibs |
| Free play | Funino on 4 mini goals | 20 min | 4 mini goals, balls |
| Cool-down | Gentle stretching, question: “What did you enjoy most today?” | 10 min | – |
Technique phase coaching points: Keep the ball close to your foot when dribbling, first touch out of the dribble, pass directly to your partner's foot.
Focus: Ball familiarity and first touches. No tactical concepts.
Template 2: U11 (U10/U11) – Passing, 90 minutes
| Phase | Drill | Duration | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activation | Passing square: 4 players in a square pass in triangles, one switches | 12 min | Cones, balls |
| Technique | 4v4+target players: 2 wide target players, team must play to a target player at least once before scoring | 20 min | Bibs, cone goals |
| Main part | 6v6 central zone: 2 points when ball is played through central zone, 1 point for a goal | 25 min | Bibs, full-size goals |
| Free play | 5v5 free play | 20 min | Bibs, goals |
| Cool-down | Stretching, question: “When did we pass well today?” | 13 min | – |
Technique phase coaching points: Open body shape when receiving, initial movement off the ball after passing, forward field of vision.
Focus: Passing and basic principles of play (moving into space, showing for the pass).
Template 3: U13 (U12/U13) – Transitions, 90 minutes
| Phase | Drill | Duration | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activation | Ball activation in triangles: 3v0, then 3v1, passing combinations | 12 min | Cones, balls |
| Technique | Transition drill: 3v3 on a small pitch, attack the second goal immediately after winning possession | 20 min | 4 cone goals, bibs |
| Main part I | 4v4 trigger: winning possession = immediate transition towards the full-size goal | 15 min | 1 full-size goal, cone goals |
| Main part II | 6v6 four goals: play on 4 goals, switch roles upon winning possession | 20 min | Bibs, 4 goals |
| Final game | 8v8 three-touch: goals only count after combinations with max. 3 touches | 15 min | Bibs, 2 goals |
| Cool-down | Stretching, debrief: “When did we transition quickly?” | 8 min | – |
Coaching points: Look forward after winning possession, first pass played into depth, runners into depth before possession is won.
Focus: Attacking and defensive transitions.
Template 4: U15 (U14/U15) – Pressing, 90 minutes
| Phase | Drill | Duration | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activation | Co-ordination activation with the ball, short sprints during breaks | 12 min | Balls, cones |
| Technique | 4v2 pressing: 4 players keep possession, 2 press in a co-ordinated manner | 20 min | Cones, balls |
| Main part I | 6v6+target players with pressing task: pressing side receives a bonus goal | 20 min | Bibs, mini goals |
| Main part II | 8v8 pressing challenge: press up to the halfway line, no dropping back in the first 5 seconds | 25 min | Bibs, full-size goals |
| Free play | Free play without conditions | 8 min | Goals |
| Cool-down | Stretching, debrief: “When was our pressing effective?” | 5 min | – |
Pressing coaching points: Approach angle cuts off the back pass, second player covers the flank, rest of the team shifts across compactly.
Focus: Pressing as a collective team action.
Template 5: U17 (U16/U17) – System of play, 90 minutes
| Phase | Drill | Duration | Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Activation | Passing sequences with running elements: combination, finish, sprint back | 12 min | Balls, cones |
| Technique | Positional passing in the system: 7 players in formation execute patterns | 20 min | Cones, balls |
| Main part I | Positional play 7v3: 7 players keep possession, 3 disrupt | 15 min | Bibs |
| Main part II | 8v8+floater: floater switches to the team in possession | 20 min | Bibs, full-size goals |
| Final game | Match simulation with tactical conditions: line-up mirrored against the opposition | 18 min | Bibs, 2 goals |
| Cool-down | Stretching, debrief on the system: what worked, what did not? | 5 min | – |
Coaching points: Positional discipline in build-up play, movement off the ball in the final third, cover upon losing possession.
Focus: System of play and automatisms.
Coach OS is our own software. What follows is therefore not a neutral comparison, but an illustrative example. The criteria outlined in this article apply regardless – use them to evaluate any tool, including ours.
Why bespoke Coach OS plans are better than generic templates
The five templates above are starting points. But they are generic – and your team is specific.
Problem 1: Player numbers do not match
Template 2 (U11) is designed for 12 players. Today you only have 8. The drills no longer work.
Problem 2: Equipment is missing
Template 4 requires 4 full-size goals. You only have 2 full-size and 4 mini goals. Adjustments are required.
Problem 3: Age-appropriate is not always accurate
Your U13 squad is exceptionally advanced or still developing. A generic U12 template might not fit.
Problem 4: No periodisation
Static templates do not account for where you are in the season.
Coach OS solves all four problems:
- Enter player numbers → only matching drills are suggested
- Specify equipment → only feasible drills appear
- Age group + training phase → automatically adjusted
- Season calendar integrated → workload and focus are periodised
PDF export in Coach OS: what players and assistant coaches see
Once you have finished a session in Coach OS, export it as a PDF. The document includes:
1. Session overview (team, date, focus, duration)
2. All drills with diagrams/animation screenshots
3. Full drill descriptions
4. Coaching points
5. Equipment list
Use cases:
- Print out for the pitch
- Send via email to assistant coaches
- Digital filing in your training history
- Basis for reviews with academy management
- Documentation for player development
Summary: templates as a starting point – bespoke planning as the standard
Training plan templates help you understand what a good session looks like. They demonstrate structures, timings, and drill formats.
However, for day-to-day practice, you need plans that suit your specific team – with your player numbers, your equipment, and your season schedule.
Coach OS makes this possible – fast, structured, and without spending hours piecing things together.
→ Create your own training plans with Coach OS: coach-os.com
Further reading: U17 Football: Training and Coaching (U16/U17) and U19 Football: Training and Coaching (U18/U19).
FAQ: Youth football training plans
Where can I find free youth football training plan templates?
You can find templates in coaching manuals, on DFB.de, and in app stores. In addition, Coach OS offers individually tailored plans via an AI generator – available to test free of charge.
How does a U9 plan differ from a U13 plan?
U9: simple ball familiarity, short explanations, fun and freedom. U13: introducing principles of play (transitions), structured game formats, basic tactical elements.
How many drills do I need for a 90-minute session?
Typically 4–6 drills across 4–5 phases. It is better to run fewer drills with genuine depth than many drills without lasting learning effect.
Can I print out Coach OS plans?
Yes. PDF export is built into Coach OS. All drills, coaching points, and equipment lists are included.
How do I customise a generic training plan template?
Adjust player numbers, check equipment, tailor drill difficulty to your group's ability, and adapt timings to your actual session length.
Are there training plan templates for every age group in Coach OS?
Coach OS does not offer rigid templates; instead, it generates bespoke plans for every age group – based on your specific input.