Thought being a grassroots football coach was easy?

Turn up, put a few cones out, pick the team and shout “well done!” occasionally. Simple, right? Well... not quite!.

From training plans, team selections and player availability to pitch checks, first-aid kits, safeguarding, kit clashes, parking instructions, paperwork, weather forecasts and remembering who's actually bringing the match balls - there's a lot that goes into getting a grassroots team onto the pitch each weekend. So, just in case you were wondering what your coach actually does all week... here's the grassroots coach's matchweek journey. 👇

📅 Sun-Tues: PLAN AND PREPARE
  1. Review the previous match and identify 1–2 key learning points.
  2. Decide what those learning points mean for Wednesday's training.
  3. Check player availability for Wednesday training and the weekend match.
  4. Confirm any assistant coach or volunteer availability.
  5. Start planning the likely matchday squad and playing time.
  6. Consider positions or different challenges individual players may benefit from.
  7. Keep an eye on weather and potential pitch issues.
  8. Check equipment and identify anything that needs replacing or restocking.
  9. Follow up on any injuries or medical information from the previous week.

🎯 Aim: Learn from the last game, then use it to shape the week ahead.

📅 Wed: TRAINING
  1. Deliver a purposeful training session linked to your 1–2 development priorities.
  2. Make sure balls, cones, bibs and other equipment are ready.
  3. Check for new injury or medical information.
  4. Observe players — training may change your thinking about positions or the weekend squad.

🎯 Aim: Train today → apply it at the weekend.

📅 Thu-Fri: FINAL CHECKS
  1. Reconfirm player availability.
  2. For away games, check travel, parking and venue arrangements.
  3. Check for late injuries, illness or withdrawals.
  4. Finalise the matchday squad.
  5. Plan positions, substitutions and playing time.
  6. Check for a potential kit clash with the opposition.
  7. Prepare match balls and warm-up equipment.
  8. Check and restock the first-aid kit.
  9. Reconfirm the venue and pitch arrangements.
  10. Send final travel, parking and access details.
  11. Make the arrival time clear, not just the kick-off time.
  12. Check the latest weather and pitch situation.
  13. Start firming up the weekend squad and playing-time plan.
  14. Communicate any important match information to players and parents including the necessary footwear for the pitch.

🎯 Aim: Get the details sorted before the weekend.

📅 Sat/ Sun: MATCHDAY!
  1. Arrive early.
  2. Inspect the pitch and surrounding area for obvious hazards.
  3. Check goals are safe and properly secured.
  4. Set up the pitch and equipment where required.
  5. Welcome the opposition.
  6. Introduce yourself to the referee and officials.
  7. Account for players as they arrive.
  8. Run the warm-up including the goalkeeper
  9. Give players a short, simple pre-match message.
  10. Remind them of the 1–2 things worked on during Wednesday's training.
  11. Manage substitutions and playing time.
  12. Track minutes where appropriate.
  13. Give players a short, positive post-match message.
  14. Leave the pitch and facilities tidy.

🎯 Aim: Play • Respect • Enjoy.

📅 Post-Match: WRAP-UP
  1. Upload or complete the team sheet/match report where required.
  2. Record and report significant incidents or injuries.
  3. Follow the appropriate process for any safeguarding or welfare concerns.
  4. Send parents any important post-match information.
  5. Make a few quick coaching notes while the game is fresh.
  6. Note what went well.
  7. Note what the players struggled with.
  8. Identify 1–2 things to work on next.
  9. Capture any useful individual player observations.
  10. Check playing time and rotation where appropriate.
  11. Complete any outstanding league or club administration.

🎯 Aim: Capture the learning and then feed it straight back into next week's plan.

Evergreen... Always in Place

These shouldn't be treated as jobs for a particular day. They are the always-on responsibilities underpinning the whole season.

Medical & Emergency Information

🩺 Keep relevant player medical information up to date.
📱 Keep emergency contact information current and accessible.
👥 Make sure the appropriate coaches have information they need to manage players safely.
🚑 Know how emergency information can be accessed at training and matches.
🩹 Keep appropriate first-aid equipment available.

Safeguarding

🛡️ Follow club safeguarding procedures.
✅ Maintain appropriate checks and qualifications where required.
👥 Understand player supervision arrangements.
🚗 Understand player collection arrangements.
🙋 Know who your club safeguarding/welfare contact is.
📝 Know how concerns should be recorded and reported.
📸 Follow club photography, video and social-media procedures.

Player Registration & Eligibility

📝 Keep player registrations up to date.
⚽ Make sure players are registered for the correct team and competition.
🎂 Understand age-group eligibility requirements.
🏆 Understand competition eligibility requirements.
🟥 Keep track of suspensions or other restrictions.

Club & League Requirements

📖 Understand the relevant league and competition rules.
🏟️ Know the club policies that apply to your team.
🎓 Keep required coaching qualifications current.
🪪 Keep registrations and required documentation current.
📱 Know the appropriate club and league contacts.

Risk, Safety & First Aid

⚠️ Maintain any required risk assessments.
👀 Check training and match areas appropriately.
🥅 Make sure goals are safe and correctly secured.
⚽ Check equipment is safe to use.
🚑 Know the emergency arrangements at your regular venues.
🩹 Keep the first-aid kit stocked and accessible.
📅 Check first-aid supplies and expiry dates where applicable.
➕ Replace supplies after use.
📝 Know how injuries and accidents should be recorded.
🛠️ Report unsafe facilities or damaged equipment.

The Coach's Big Checklist

If everything above feels like a lot, these are the major jobs to keep sight of each week:

📅 Plan - Know when, where and who you're playing.
🧠 Develop - Review the last game and decide what the players need next.
⚽ Train - Use Wednesday to work on those development priorities.
👥 Organise - Know who's available and plan your squad and playing time.
📣 Communicate - Make sure players and parents know where to be and when.
🎒 Prepare - Kit, balls, equipment, paperwork, first aid and facilities.
❤️ Protect - Keep welfare, medical information, safeguarding and safety front of mind.
🏆 Coach the game - Create a positive environment and let the players play.
💻 Administer - Submit results, reports and anything the league or club requires.
🔄 Learn & repeat - Capture what you learned and use it to plan the next Wednesday session.