Your first six weeks
The new coach guide: who to ask about what, what you need, the league rules that matter, and six ready-made sessions for each age band.
The first six weeks
You're alongside one of our coaches for up to six weeks before you run anything on your own: watch, help, run one of the games, then run a session with them beside you. Everything here is here to help; use what's useful and skip what isn't.
Questions
Who do I contact about safeguarding or a worry about a child?
The club welfare officer. Ask through the contact form and it goes to the right person. In an emergency, call 999.
How do I get my AccessNI check?
Through the club welfare officer. The club arranges it before you start.
Fees and admin?
The committee member who looks after fees and admin. Ask through the contact form and it goes to the right person.
What training do I need?
The Irish FA safeguarding course and an Irish FA coaching certificate, both sorted and paid for by the club.
Friendlies: who arranges them, and where can we play?
Ask through the contact form and it goes to the right person.
Where do I get kit?
The club shop (Pendle Sportswear) for the players' kit, plus your coach jacket and raincoat from the club.
How do I run my first session?
Use one of the ready-made sessions below, or build your own in the session builder.
League rules you need to know
- Every player registered on Comet (the Irish FA's online registration system), with a photo.
- Team sheets in at least 15 minutes before kick-off.
- Shirt numbers must match Comet.
- Up to four coaches on the sheet, with at least two there.
- No scores posted from non-competitive games, and 7-a-side is non-competitive all season.
- Formats: 2016s play 7v7, 2017s play 7v7, 2018s play 5v5, 2019s play 5v5, 2020s play 3v3, 2021s play 3v3.
Six ready-made sessions for each age band
One theme a week, built with the session builder for 12 children, two coaches and a cage. Open one, print it, or change anything in the builder, the year included.
2020s and 2021s
Built for the 2021s. For the 2020s, open one and change the year in the builder.
- Week 1: Moving Well
- Week 2: Me and My Ball
- Week 3: Brave 1v1
- Week 4: Shooting and Scoring
- Week 5: Everyone's a Keeper
- Week 6: Colts Street Football
2018s and 2019s
Built for the 2019s. For the 2018s, open one and change the year in the builder.
- Week 1: Me and My Ball
- Week 2: Brave 1v1
- Week 3: Pass, Receive, Heads Up
- Week 4: Shooting and Scoring
- Week 5: Win It, Keep It, Score
- Week 6: Everyone's a Keeper
2016s and 2017s
Built for the 2017s. For the 2016s, open one and change the year in the builder.
- Week 1: Me and My Ball
- Week 2: Brave 1v1
- Week 3: Pass, Receive, Heads Up
- Week 4: Off the Ball
- Week 5: Shooting and Scoring
- Week 6: Win It, Keep It, Score