Picture two grassroots teams preparing for training. One group arrives at the pitch, and within minutes, they’re in a structured warm-up, cones already laid out, bibs sorted, and every coach knows their role. The assistant coach leads the warm-up while the head coach observes, checking in with players and making tactical notes. Once the session starts, transitions between drills are seamless, coaches work together, providing feedback, adjusting exercises, and keeping players engaged.
Now, imagine the opposite. Players trickle in, unsure where to go. The head coach frantically lays out cones while players stand around chatting. The assistant, well-meaning but unsure of their role, mostly watches and occasionally retrieves stray balls. The session starts 10 minutes late, and by the time the warm-up is finished, momentum is already lost. Training feels unstructured, and opportunities for development are wasted.
The difference? Effective off-pitch communication. How coaches interact away from the field; planning sessions, discussing player progress, and clarifying roles has a massive impact on what happens during training. Lets look at how we can get the best out of our coaching teams.
Why Communication Between Coaches is Essential
Grassroots football is about development, not just for players but for the entire coaching team. When communication is strong:
Training flows better: A well-prepared session maximises contact time with the ball and opportunities for player development.
Assistants are engaged: They aren’t just standing around but actively contributing.
Players benefit: A structured, purposeful session means better learning and engagement.
Coaches grow: Feedback and collaboration help all coaches improve their skills.
But how do you actually improve communication off the pitch? Let’s look at some practical strategies.
1. Share Session Plans Before Training
One of the simplest yet most overlooked ways to improve coaching efficiency is sharing session plans before training. When assistants arrive at the pitch knowing exactly what’s happening, they can hit the ground running. The contrary of this is a coach that turns up without a clue what's happening and wings their way through the session, sometimes chipping in but often just assisting to collect balls or chatting and distracting the players or other coach.
💡 How to do it effectively:
Use WhatsApp or a shared coaching app to send session outlines in advance.
Break down roles: Who’s leading the warm-up? Who’s setting up? Who’s observing specific players?
Encourage feedback: Assistants may have great ideas to refine drills before training even starts.
📌 The Football Hub provides ready-made, shareable session plans that make pre-session communication effortless. Coaches can quickly assign drills, ensuring assistants are involved and prepared.
2. Assign Clear Roles for Each Coach
Coaching isn’t a one-person job. If one coach is doing everything, assistants are underutilised, and players don’t get as much individual attention.
✅ Good practice:
The head coach focuses on the bigger picture - team tactics, overall session flow, and observing player development.
Assistants take ownership of specific drills, warm-ups, or position-based coaching.
One coach keeps track of intensity and effort, ensuring players don’t lose focus or motivation.
🚫 What NOT to do:
Assign vague roles like “just help out where needed.” Assistants need direction.
Ignore their input. Give assistants a say in planning and adjusting sessions. 2 sets of eyes is better than one and they may have some great tactical or development insights.
3. Use a Debrief to Strengthen Coaching Chemistry
The best coaching teams don’t just talk before training, they reflect afterwards. A five-minute chat post-session helps refine future training and keeps everyone aligned. Try to keep this focused on the session just delivered or the previous weekends match... don't get roped into wider club problems, league issues or how your favourite team is doing, this detracts from achieving a successful debrief.
🔍 Key things to discuss:
What went well?
Did the session meet its objectives?
Were the drills engaging and effective?
Any player-specific observations?
What could we improve on next time?
This doesn’t have to be formal. A quick chat on the walk back to the car or a message in the group chat keeps everyone on the same page.
4. Keep Selection and Player Feedback Consistent
Nothing confuses players (or parents) more than mixed messages. If one coach says a player is close to starting, but another says they need to work harder, frustration grows.
🎯 Ways to improve consistency:
Align team selection decisions in advance, ensuring all coaches understand the reasoning.
Use a shared document or app to track player progress and notes.
Discuss player feedback together before giving individual guidance. Our downloadable Player Assessment Forms are a great way to discuss feedback on individual players.
The best teams have a clear, united message from the coaching staff. Even at the grassroots level, players respect structure and clarity.
5. Encourage Two-Way Feedback Between Coaches
Head coaches aren’t the only ones who should be giving feedback, assistants should feel comfortable offering their insights, too. A collaborative environment leads to growth for everyone on the coaching team.
📌 Ways to foster better feedback:
Ask assistants: “How do you think that session went?”
Encourage honesty: If a drill isn’t working, a fresh perspective can improve it.
Be open to new ideas: Assistants may have different experiences or approaches that can benefit the team.
Bringing It All Together
A well-communicated coaching plan doesn’t just make life easier, it transforms training sessions, engages assistants, and improves player development. The best grassroots teams don’t just rely on great players; they rely on coaching teams who work together effectively.
Coaches who communicate well don’t just show up and run a session, they create an environment where players and fellow coaches thrive.
🚀 Want to make sharing session plans even easier? The Football Hub provides ready-made drills and coaching plans that you can quickly share with your assistants. Start your free 14 day trial today and take your coaching to the next level.
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