Skip to main content
Sponsors
Your Ad Here
Your Ad Here
Your Ad Here
Your Ad Here
Your Ad Here
Your Ad Here
Your Ad Here
Your Ad Here
Advertise
📅

Match Preparation

Prepare your team for success on match day

Get your team ready to perform on match day. Learn about opposition analysis, team selection, tactical preparation, warm-up routines, half-time talks, and in-game management. From Sunday league to professional level.

Key Principles

  • 1Preparation breeds confidence
  • 2Keep the message simple and clear
  • 3React to what you see, not what you planned
  • 4Players need to be mentally and physically ready
  • 5Learn from every match, win or lose

Questions You Can Ask

“How do I prepare for a match with limited training time?”

“What should I say at half-time?”

“How do I analyse the opposition?”

“When should I make substitutions?”

“What is the best match day warm-up?”

Expert Advisors for Match Preparation

⚽

General Coach

All-round coaching

☀️

Sunday Specialist

Adult amateur football

🏆

The Pro's Pro

Professional/elite coaching

🎓

Academy Mind

Academy pathway U13-U18

Related Topics

📋Tactics & Formations👥Team Management

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a pre-match warm-up be?

15-20 minutes for youth players, 20-30 minutes for adults. Include dynamic stretching, movement prep, ball work, and a few short sprints. Finish 5 minutes before kick-off so players can mentally prepare.

What should I say in a half-time team talk?

Keep it short (2-3 minutes). Highlight 1-2 things that are working, identify 1-2 things to adjust, and set a clear focus for the second half. Avoid overloading players with information when emotions are high.

How do I analyse the opposition with limited time?

Focus on their shape, key players, and set-piece routines. If you can watch them play once or see match footage, great. If not, brief your players on what to expect in the first 10 minutes and adjust from there.

When is the best time to make a substitution?

When a player is tired, injured, or underperforming. Tactically, subs work well after opposition changes, when you need fresh legs, or when the game state demands it (chasing or protecting a lead). Avoid leaving it too late.

Related Keywords

match dayopposition analysisteam selectionwarm-uphalf-time talksubstitutionsgame management

Get Expert Advice on Match Preparation

Ask our AI advisors specific questions about match preparation.

Start Planning Free
Match Preparation - Football Coaching Guide | FootballGPT