🧠 Why Football Coaches Should Reflect After Every Session
Effective coaching extends beyond the pitch. Regular self-reflection after training sessions is a powerful tool that enhances both coaching effectiveness and player development.
⚽ The Power of Post-Session Reflection
Research indicates that coaches who engage in structured post-session reviews experience significant benefits:
-
Greater Clarity on Session Intentions vs. Outcomes: By reviewing how a session was delivered versus what was planned, coaches spot gaps and better tailor future sessions. Reflective practice has been pushed as a means to develop this skill.
-
Improved Coaching Practices: A systematic review in the Journal of Sports Sciences highlighted that coach education programs, which often include reflective practices, lead to substantial improvements in coaching effectiveness and player outcomes. (source)
-
Sharper Decision-Making Under Pressure: Reflective coaches build awareness of their in-session decisions and can more quickly identify tactical or instructional choices that didn’t land. The Football Association (The FA) recommends reflective practice as part of its coaching framework to “develop independent, adaptable thinkers.”
🔁 What Does This Actually Look Like?
After each session ask yourself?
-
Did I meet the objectives for the session?
-
How did I communicate with the players?
-
Was the session appropriately-paced, fun and engaging?
- What would I do differently next time?
Even 5-10 minutes of honest self-reflection builds for long-term better coaching.
🧠 Want to take it seriously?
Our Session Review Tool can help you capture your thoughts, support your development over time and help you prepare for the review part of your C & B License projects.
Best of all, it’s FREE TO USE for all coaches, simply by signing to our Taster Membership
Premium and Taster Members can access the session review tool by logging in
Non-members can create an account by clicking the Sign Up button