10 Winter Football Training Tips for Grassroots Football Coaches
Keeping young players engaged and active through the cold, wet months can be a challenge — but it’s also an opportunity to build resilience, creativity, and team spirit. Here are 10 essential winter coaching tips to help keep winter football training sessions fun, safe, and full of energy.
1. Remember – Children Are Not Mini-Adults
Young players are still developing physically, mentally, and emotionally. They’re not just smaller versions of adults, so we must adapt our coaching style to suit their needs. Always put their wellbeing first and design sessions that keep them active, warm, and smiling, no matter the weather.
2. Get Players Moving Straight Away
The quickest way to lose a session to the cold is to let players stand still. Have a “ready-to-go” arrival activity so they’re moving the moment they arrive — tag games, quick 1v1s, or small-sided movement games all work brilliantly.
Start warm, stay warm!
3. No Queues – Keep Everyone Involved
Lines of players waiting for their turn are the enemy of engagement (and warmth).
Try setting up multiple smaller areas if equipment is limited, so everyone stays active. Every player should be moving, thinking, or touching the ball throughout the session.
4. Make Games the Heart of Training
Kids play football because they love the game — so let them play! Cold, wet days are perfect for mini-matches like 3v3s or 4v4s. Players stay involved, energy stays high, and you can coach on the move without long pauses.
5. Coach on the Go
Long team talks drain energy fast. Instead, coach individuals within the game — short, specific feedback or mini challenges (“Can you beat the defender this time?”) work wonders. Try setting yourself a 30-second limit for any intervention. The kids will appreciate the pace.
6. Design Smart, Fast-Paced Sessions
A well-planned session is your best defence against the cold. Use formats like whole–part–whole or skill–game–skill that keep play flowing. Think: how can I maximise touches, competition, and fun? Add scoring systems, quick transitions, and challenges for defenders to attack after a win — these keep everyone switched on.
7. When in Doubt, Play Matches
Caught in a downpour or the plan’s gone sideways? No problem — just play matches. Smaller games mean more touches, quicker decisions, and constant engagement. Even 3v3 or 5v5 games can make for the most memorable, active sessions.
8. Set Clear Kit Guidelines
Help players (and parents) prepare properly. Make sure everyone knows your wet-weather kit policy — thin, layered clothing keeps heat in and flexibility high. Remind families: players need to arrive warm to stay warm. A few clear reminders go a long way toward keeping kids safe and comfortable.
9. Prioritise Safety and Welfare — But Stay Playful
Our top priority is always the children’s welfare. But that doesn’t mean cancelling every time it rains. Agree as a group when it’s safe to play — maybe it’s a shorter session or more games, maybe it’s just a handful of players. Every child is different: some thrive in the mud, others prefer to keep it short. Both can have a great experience if we stay flexible and positive.
10. Turn the Weather into Memories
Ask any adult who played grassroots football — they’ll remember that muddy match, that snowy game, or the orange ball on a frosty pitch. Bad weather can create the best stories. Let the players enjoy the chaos, laugh through the puddles, and make memories they’ll never forget. Because years from now, they won’t remember the cold — they’ll remember the fun.
Final Thoughts
Winter football isn’t just about keeping players active — it’s about keeping their love for the game alive, whatever the weather. By staying organised, playful, and adaptable, you’ll help every child look forward to lacing up their boots, even on the coldest days.
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