⚽ Pre-Season
Pre-Season Individual Assessment
Most coaches judge pre-season progress subjectively.
Pre-Season Individual Assessment — full pitch view
The one cue that matters
Building intensity progressively, not going flat out too early
◆Why this drill works
Most coaches judge pre-season progress subjectively. This structured assessment gives you four measurable benchmarks per player at the start and end of pre-season: a 20m sprint time, a ball mastery score (sole rolls in 30 seconds), a passing accuracy score (hit a 1m gate from 15 yards, 10 attempts),
▦The drill in three phases
1Setup
Starting positions — players, zones and equipment in place.
2Action
Movement begins — players run, dribble and create the pattern.
3Finish
The end action — pass, shot or outcome the drill builds toward.
Ball carrierAttackersDefendersPass / dribbleShot
▶How to run it
- Set up four stations: 20m sprint lane, ball mastery area, passing gate (two cones 1m apart at 15 yards), 1v1 channel (12×4m).
- Each player completes all four stations while others continue free warm-up activity.
- Record results on a grid: name | sprint | mastery | passing | 1v1.
- Repeat in week 5 of pre-season. Compare data. Show players their own results.
- Use data to set individual focus areas for the season's first block.
✓Equipment checklist
- Balls6
- Cones12
- Bibs8
✦Coaching points
Praise when you see
- Building intensity progressively, not going flat out too early
- Good habits and standards set from day one
- Quality maintained as the workload builds
Correct when you see
- Letting standards slip — set the tone now
- Neglecting recovery between sessions
- Going too hard too early — pre-season builds progressively
★Kit for this drill — top picks compared
| Pick | Product | Best for | |
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?Frequently asked questions
What age group is Pre-Season Individual Assessment suitable for?
This drill suits U13–U14. Build the intensity progressively and scale the workload to the group.
How many players do I need for Pre-Season Individual Assessment?
This drill works well with around 12 players. With fewer, reduce the groups or rotate players through; with more, set up multiple stations so everyone stays active rather than queuing.
How long does Pre-Season Individual Assessment take?
Allow around 3 minutes to set up and 23 minutes to run it — about 26 minutes in total. It fits well as the technical or main block of a session, leaving time for a warm-up and a game.