The PlayerPlan blog
Resources for soccer S&C coaches
Practical guides on programming, load and conditioning for football players — written by a coach, for coaches. No fluff, just what works on the pitch.
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The MD-Minus Training Framework: Programming Around Match Days
How to structure training around match days using the MD-minus framework. Session design from MD-3 to MD+2 for football S&C coaches.
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8 min read
PlayerPlan vs TrueCoach: Which Is Right for Football S&C Coaches?
An honest comparison of PlayerPlan and TrueCoach for soccer/football S&C coaches. Feature-by-feature breakdown, pricing at every roster size, and where each platform actually wins.
Read8 min read
PlayerPlan vs TrainHeroic: Which Is Right for Football S&C Coaches?
Comparing PlayerPlan and TrainHeroic for soccer S&C coaches. Honest pricing math at every roster size, feature gaps for football, and where TrainHeroic's marketplace genuinely wins.
Read7 min read
PlayerPlan vs Spreadsheets: When It's Time to Stop Formatting Cells
You've been programming in spreadsheets for years. It works -- until it doesn't. Here are the 7 things spreadsheets can't do for football S&C coaches, and what switching actually costs.
Read7 min read
Flat-Rate vs Per-Athlete Pricing: The Real Cost of Coaching Software
Compare flat-rate vs per-athlete pricing for S&C coaching software. See how costs scale at 5, 10, 15, and 20 athletes with real platform examples.
Read12 min read
Energy System Development for Football: The S&C Coach's Guide
How to program energy system development for football players. Aerobic base, anaerobic power, repeated sprint ability, and GPS zone training.
Read10 min read
Off-Season Training for Football: Build the Engine Before the Season
How to design an off-season training program for football players. Phase structure, exercise selection, volume progression, and a sample 8-week template.
Read11 min read
Programming Around Club Training You Don't Control
How to program soccer players around club training. Capture external load, map it onto MD-minus, and decide when to keep, cut, or skip the gym session.
Read12 min read
Why Soccer Players Need Individual Training
Why soccer players need individual training beyond team S&C. Position, minutes, injury history, and club load differ — so one-size gym work leaves gaps.
Read9 min read
Position-Specific Strength Training for Soccer
Position specific strength training for soccer: one shared gym menu, then a different finish by role. A centre-back and a full-back did not play the same match.
Read12 min read
Concurrent Training for Football: Sequencing Gym and Pitch
Concurrent training for football explained. How to sequence strength and endurance so gym work and club pitch sessions stop cancelling each other out.
Read12 min read
Nordic Hamstring Programming for Football Players
Nordic hamstring programming for football: Petersen protocol, in-season dosing, and why the gym — not the squad warm-up — is where Nordics actually get done.
Read8 min read
Strength and Conditioning for Soccer Players: The Complete Guide for S&C Coaches
Practical S&C guide for soccer players. Training components, position demands, weekly structure, and periodization for S&C coaches.
Read7 min read
Soccer Periodization Training Program: How to Plan a Full Season for S&C Coaches
How to periodize S&C training across a full soccer season. ATR model, phase breakdowns, MD-minus framework, volume management, and sample week structures.
Read6 min read
ACWR Monitoring in Football: A Practical Guide for S&C Coaches
How to use ACWR monitoring in football. Calculation methods, safe ranges, common mistakes, and practical implementation for S&C coaches.
Read6 min read
S&C Coach Software for Soccer: What to Look For and Why Generic Tools Don't Work
What soccer S&C coaches need from their software. Why generic PT platforms fall short and a feature checklist for the right tool.
Read7 min read
Youth Soccer Strength Training Program: Age-Appropriate Guide for S&C Coaches
Evidence-based youth soccer strength training programs by age group (U12, U14, U16+). Covers safety research, maturation, and sample programming.
Read7 min read
In-Season Training for Soccer Players: How to Maintain Strength Without Adding Fatigue
How to program in-season strength training for soccer players. Match-day minus framework, load management, and minimum effective dose approach.
Read8 min read
How to Program for Soccer Players: A Step-by-Step Guide for S&C Coaches
Step-by-step guide to programming for soccer players. Exercise selection, periodization, sets and reps by phase, and weekly structure.
Read7 min read
Soccer Injury Prevention Exercises: Evidence-Based Protocols That Actually Work
Evidence-based soccer injury prevention exercises including Nordic curls, FIFA 11+, and Copenhagen adductors. Protocols, coaching cues, and programming.
Read8 min read
Individual Training for Congested Fixtures in Football
Individual training for congested fixtures in football: how two matches in a week change recovery, and how to split the squad by minutes and track load.
Read5 min read
International Window in Football: Who Coaches the Player?
The international window in football changes every player's load differently. What to do if you're called up, and why everyone else needs remote coaching.
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