5 Questions to ask yourself before every session

Goal: Design smarter, more intentional sessions that connect to purpose and player needs. Why it matters: Too often, we jump straight into session planning, cones, drills, timings, logistics. But the best sessions don’t start with structure, they start with questions. Asking the right questions sharpens focus, aligns players with purpose, and turns every “session” into a an opportunity to learn.

Here are 5 questions to ask before every session. What do I want players to learn, not just do?

This is the biggest one. It’s easy to plan activities, but what’s the actual learning outcome?Do you want them to recognise space? Improve communication? Make quicker decisions under pressure? Define this clearly.

What behaviours do I want to see?

Think about player behaviours, not just skills. Do you want players to scan more? Support earlier? Talk constructively? You can’t coach everything at once - pick one or two key behaviours that reinforce your learning theme.

How will I adapt based on what I see?

Great coaching isn’t just delivery, it’s adjustment. If the activity is too easy - what’s your “next layer”? If players aren’t getting it - what can you simplify? Having your “what if” adjustments ready stops you from panicking or winging it mid-session.

How will I connect this to the bigger picture?

Every session should feel like a small piece of a bigger puzzle. Ask yourself: how does this link to the previous session, match-day or bigger picture? Players value context - it builds meaning and motivation.

What will I reflect on after?

Before you even start, decide what you’ll review. What will success look like? It could be as simple as: “Did my questioning help players think for themselves?” That single reflection point will guide your coaching focus during the session.

Coaching Takeaway

Five simple words can completely reframe your session: Learn - Behave - Adapt - Connect - Reflect

Don’t just plan the drill - plan the learning. If you start every week with this mindset, players will grow faster and you’ll coach with more clarity and confidence.

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How do you prepare for sessions? Share your go-to planning questions in the community: 👉 Share your knowledge