Ensure the players arrive well before the match starts - this will depend on your own requirements as a coach. Ensure you have all the aids you will need prepared before hand. Things like flip charts, tactic boards, motivational quotes, medical equipment prepared etc.

Dependant on your own personality and man management, you would ideally inform the team of who's playing and what you are expecting of them in terms of organisation, behaviour and performance.

Once the players are in the dressing room, this should be your domain. Ensure that all those that don't need to be there clear the dressing room, allowing you and your team to focus and prepare on the match ahead, without any distractions.

Whilst the players are getting changed, it is a good opportunity to start the mental preparation. This is a good time to talk to players individually with respect to their roles and attitudes for the game. Try and keep the information / instructions to a bare minimum, don't overload and confuse the players with a lot of complex information they won't be able to process. All players react differently and your approach can be tailored to the individual. Some you might have laugh with to relax them, others build their confidence, others need a more aggressive tactic, and some may need a more focused approach. This is your time to get them mentally prepared and focussed as individuals, units within the team and as a team, for the up coming match.

Warm up

The objective of warming up is to prepare the players both physically and mentally. Whilst it is true that players under the age of 10 are naturally very flexible and supple and don't need a lot of physical preparation in terms of hard running and deep stretching, it is very important that the players go through a warm up routine for a number of vital reasons:

• It prepares the body for match action
• Develops good habits for the future
• Prepares and focuses the mind for the game ahead.
• Allows the players to rid themselves of nervous energy
• Lets the players get a feel of the ball, the pace and condition of the pitch
• Sets a tempo and standard for the up coming game
• Use a suitable area that is free from distractions - like parents!
• Allow at least 15 - 20 minutes for the warm up.
• Try and get some assistance to help you, so that the players can work both as a team as individuals and within specific units i.e forwards, defenders.
• Allow the players a few minutes of their own time, to warm up and practice what they think is important.
• Don't overdo the physical activity, these are young players and will need a lot of energy for the match ahead.
• Vary the warm up so that there is not a set routine every week.
• Try and use warm up activities that incorporate the ball and replicate game techniques and movements
• Introduce some gentle stretching
• Gradually increase the intensity
• Use the time to continue the individual and team mental preparation.
• Ensure the players concentrate on setting good standards and good quality in all that they do - accurate passing, sharp movement, good calling etc.