First lesson β introduction & baseline
1. Duration: 45β60 min.
2. Goal: assess movement, teach safe basics, build confidence.
3. Warm-up (10 min):
β’ Light jog 2 min β dynamic mobility circuit: leg swings (10/leg), hip circles (8), arm circles (10), walking lunges (8/leg), butt kicks 20m.
β’ Activation: glute bridges 2Γ10, band pull-aparts 2Γ12.
4. Fundamental skill (15 min):
β’ Stance/starts: 3-point and 2-point stance practice, explode 5 Γ 10 yards (walk back recovery).
β’ Basic footwork: 4-cone box (shuffle, forward/back) 4 reps.
β’ Passing/catching (if QB/WR): 2-hand catches stationary (3Γ10).
5. Intro strength (12 min):
β’ Bodyweight squat 3Γ8 (teach hip hinge), push-ups 3Γ8 (knees if needed), TRX or inverted row 3Γ6.
β’ Core: plank 3Γ20β30s.
6. Short conditioning (5β8 min):
β’ 4 Γ 20β30 yard sprints at 80% with full walkback rest.
7. Cooldown (5 min):
β’ Static stretch hamstrings/quads/hips 30s each, deep breathing.
8. Coaching cues / safety:
β’ βHips back on squat,β βchin up, chest tall,β βknees out,β landing softly on sprints.
β’ If any pain, stop. Get medical clearance if chronic issues.
9. Progress marker: baseline 20-yard sprint time, plank time; repeat every 4 weeks.
Lessons 11+ β ongoing progression & season prep
1. Goal: move toward structured periodization. Session length 60β90 min.
2. Structure: 2β3 strength sessions + 2 speed/skill sessions per week during off-season; in-season reduce to 2 total (1 strength, 1 skill).
3. Strength phase example: build to heavier sets (3Γ5 at challenging weight), include trap-bar deadlift, split-jerk alternatives. Add plyometrics (box jumps 3Γ5).
4. Performance tests every 6β8 weeks: 40 yd, pro shuttle, vertical, 1RM squat or rep max test.
5. Recovery focus: mobility days, soft tissue, sleep 8+ hours, nutrition basics (protein + carbs post session).
6. If competing: taper 7β10 days out, reduce volume, keep intensity.
Lessons 4β10 β reinforce & raise intensity
1. Session focus split across lessons: alternate emphasis each session: (A) speed & sprint mechanics; (B) strength & power; (C) skill & small-sided game.
2. Example session (60 min):
β’ Warm-up 10 min (dynamic + A/B skips).
β’ Speed mechanics 12 min: flying 20s (20 build + 20 max) Γ4; focus on drive phase.
β’ Strength 20 min: back squat 3Γ5 (or goblet if no bar), hip hinge deadlift 3Γ6, bench or push press 3Γ5.
β’ Football skill 12 min: position drills (backpedal to break, footwork for RBs, route combos) 4 reps each.
β’ Conditioning 6 min: 6 Γ 40-yard with 60β90s rest or 3 rounds of 30/30s high effort/low rest.
β’ Cooldown 5 min.
3. Progression: over lessons 4β10, gradually increase weight, sprint intensity, and introduce reactive drills (coach calls). Test 40 yd and vertical at lesson 10.
Lessons 2β3 β build movement & basics
1. Warm-up (8β10 min): jog + dynamic mobility + A-skips (2Γ20m), carioca 2Γ20m.
2. Skill block (15 min):
β’ Agility ladder or cone drills: 6β8 reps total (one-step, two-step, lateral in/out).
β’ Route stem and catching: short 5β10 yard routes, on-the-move catches 4Γ6.
β’ Block stance & punch intro (linemen): hand placement, step-slide 4Γ6.
3. Strength (15 min):
β’ Goblet squat 3Γ8 (light DB/KB), Romanian deadlift (light) 3Γ8, split squat 2Γ8/leg.
β’ Push: incline push-ups 3Γ8; pull: band rows 3Γ8.
4. Speed/accel (6β8 min):
β’ 6 Γ 10β20 yd acceleration starts (full rest).
5. Cooldown & notes (5 min): mobility + breathing.
6. Progression: increase reps or add 5β10% load when form is perfect.
First lesson β diagnostic + high-performance baseline
1. Duration: 75β90 min.
2. Goal: assess 1RM (or estimated), sprint mechanics, mobility, positional technique.
3. Warm-up (12 min): movement prep, dynamic mobility, sprint drills (A/B skips, ankle pops).
4. Testing & tech (25β30 min):
β’ 3 Γ 10 yd, 3 Γ 40 yd sprints (timed), pro-agility shuttle baseline, vertical/broad jump.
β’ Skill observation: stance, first step, change-of-direction.
5. Strength (25 min):
β’ Heavy compound: back squat 3Γ5 (working sets), trap-bar deadlift 3Γ5 or 5Γ3 depending on program.
β’ Upper: bench 3Γ5 or push press 3Γ4.
6. Power/plyo (10 min):
β’ Hang cleans or hang power snatch 4Γ3 (moderate load) OR medicine ball throws 4Γ5.
7. Cooldown & plan summary (5β8 min).
8. Note: use load only with experienced lifters; prioritize technique.
Lessons 11+ β peak, maintenance, and in-season management
1. Periodize: 4β6 week blocks: accumulation (volume β), intensification (load β), peaking (intensity β, volume β), deload.
2. In-season: maintain strength (2 sessions/week, lower volume), prioritize practices, recovery, rehab.
3. Advanced techniques: velocity-based training, eccentric overload, contrast/complex training, position film + analytics to tailor drills.
4. Data: retest every block (6β8 weeks). Use load % of 1RM for intensity progression (e.g., 3Γ3 at 85β90% for peaking).
5. Recovery & nutrition: targeted carbs around sessions, creatine safe if desired (talk to team staff), sleep, compression/ice as needed.
Lessons 4β10 β strength & power build block
1. Block goal (weeks 1β4): increase max strength + convert to power.
2. Weekly focus: 2 heavy strength sessions (4β6 sets Γ 3β6 reps), 2 power/speed days, 1 skill day.
3. Examples:
β’ Strength day: squat 5Γ5, Romanian deadlift 4Γ6, Bulgarian split squat 3Γ8, weighted core work 3Γ8.
β’ Power day: contrast training (heavy squat 3Γ3 β immediately box jump 3Γ5), Olympic lift variation 5Γ3, sled sprints 6Γ20m.
4. Football specificity: position-specific sprint angles, change-of-direction with goggles or fade drills that mimic reads.
5. Conditioning: include high-intensity repeat sprint ability (RSA) drills (e.g., 6 Γ 30m with 20s rest) for special teams/skill positions.
6. Monitoring: use vertical and sprint improvements as performance markers.
Lessons 2β3 β establish weekly split & neuromuscular work
1. Typical split examples:
β’ Off-season: Mon (max strength lower), Tue (speed/power), Wed (active recovery), Thu (max strength upper + power), Fri (football skills/conditioning), Sat (optional mobility/light tempo).
2. Lesson content (example speed day):
β’ Warm-up 12 min; sprint mechanics 20 min: resisted sprints (sled 10β20 yd) 6Γ; flying 30s Γ4; reactive mirror drill 6Γ.
β’ Power: drop jumps 3Γ5, med-ball rotational throws 4Γ6.
β’ Position drills 15β20 min at full speed (tackling technique under strict supervision for contact sessions).
β’ Conditioning: interval repeat 6Γ60m at high intensity with full rest.
3. Load & recovery: track RPE, implement 1β2 light sessions/week.