THE TRAINING SESSION

Training sessions are integrative plans that are adaptive and flexible, to guide the session, and hold the coach (the teacher) accountable for the forethought of preparation on behalf of the team. The session must be integrated into a full periodization schedule that considers macro, meso, and micro cycle phases of training.

Session "connectivity" is the key to the session plan. In other words, the session fits into the larger picture, connecting the sessions prior, laying foundations for sessions subsequent, adapting to recent game and training performance, and flexing to prepare for upcoming competitions and training.

TRAINING SESSION CONSIDERATIONS

VOLUME

Total amount of an activity that is performed. Measured in time, distance or repetitions.

INTENSITY

How hard the body or mind is exerting and working during the activity. Magnitude of quantity per unit of time.

TYPE

The activity being performed. Physical, mental, mechanical, tactical, psychosocial (see session typology).

LOAD

Total volume, intensity, and type of training. It is calculated over periods of time. The "load" calculation per micro, meso, and macro cycle.

SESSION COMPONENTS

BACKGROUND of UNIVERSAL SESSION COMPONENTS

This is a "general overview" of a WSA Session plan within The WSA Way Game Model.

These components are fairly universal from a 2-4 year old session, to a Pro-Am/College session. Utilizing these session components, a session can be constructed specifically for the team of athletes the coach is coaching.

Youth Academy (6-10) year olds will require more activities in shorter segments, with tremendous attention given to transitions. This adapts the session to the considerations of the WHO. The young athlete's cognitive (low attention spans) and physiological (high surface area to the volume ratios means heats up and cools down fast) considerations govern the type of session.

Pro-am players have a higher focus capacity (can listen longer) and will heat up slower (requires more physical prep) and can pace him/her self, while also cooling off slower (less transitions and more enduring activities are possible).

A UNIVERSAL TRAINING SESSION - THE COMPONENTS

ARRIVAL PHASE

ARRIVAL & SOCIAL:
1. Greeting - each player greeted by coach.
2. Social - players engaged with each other.

PREP PHASE

PREP:
1. Mental prep, intro of session plan, challenge, objective
2. Physical Prep, low intensity, low volume acclimatize athlete for balance of the session

ACTIVITY PHASE

UNOPPOSED ACTIVITY: No or limited engaged competition, EX: passing patterns without defenders; EX: defending patterns without attackers (this phase is not required)
OPPOSED ACTIVITY: Engaged competition, defending vs attacking, game simulated

END GAME PHASE

END GAME: Transference of session activity, topics, tactics, to becoming applicable to the real game
FREE PLAY & COMPETITION: Players want to play. The game is inherently a great teacher.

EXIT PHASE

Coach will set exit routine.

TEAM BREAK IT OUT: Players should "break it out" to maintain the club's player mantra within The WSA Way: "Where we go ONE... We go ALL." EVERY player should be present and participating, every time. If the club or program has a unified break-out use this. This moment becomes a culture builder.

RECOMMENDED ACTION REVIEW, JOURNALED: Team led, 90-second, record something that is going well, something that should continue, something to do better next time, and if needed anything to stop doing. Write it in a journal that is handy at each training session. Players should lead the discussion U13 and older. Coaches should reduce involvement to nearly negligible U16 onward. Coaches will need to participate almost fully at U10 and younger.

HANDSHAKE/FIST BUMP: Players should communicate with staff upon leaving with a handshake or fist bump THANKING coach, coach THANKING player, aligning with Core Value #5: Be Thankful.

POST TRAINING FOLLOW UP: Coach should record attendance, notes, player ratings, and then follow up text to all absent athletes reminding them they were missed at training.

WELL BEING REPORT: Coach should follow up with method to receive feedback on physical and mental well-being reports from athlete (utilizing the club app when available).