It’s only been two months or so since our last game but I had missed coaching in a real game environment, so I for one was glad to get back into the swing of things.

We still have a few weeks to go until our season starts, so we still have more time to prepare but due to how hard it has been to arrange friendlies as of late, I’m not sure how many more we will get in. Trying to find a team that will play you during the summer is hard enough but then to get a team together yourself can be just as difficult. If the team you are putting out for a friendly is a mixed team of players from one or two teams and wouldn’t resemble a team that would play a league match for you, you then start to think was it worth it. To me, however, as long of some of your players are getting a run out they will benefit individually from it, with a good fitness workout, if nothing else.

As a coach you ask so much of your players and parents time during the season you don’t want to make too many demands of them over the summer, as it is more important that they are available for you during the season. By making too many demands of their time during the off season, it may alienate that player, or family of the player, so you have to be careful. This isn’t normally a problem, as most kids will jump at the chance to play football whenever in the year it is but it is just something you have to keep in mind.

Deciding on the opposition can be a difficult decision when it comes to friendlies. Do you want to build your teams confidence by having them play games they can easily win, or do you want to test them by giving them a hard game which they will have to fight to win. I think personally it depends on the team, some teams need that confidence boost before a season whereas some teams need to be brought down to earth and to know it is going to be a hard season if they think they are going to stroll to victory this season.

Another factor you have to think about, is do you play teams from your own league or do you play teams in other leagues. Playing teams from your league can give you a chance to see what your opposition in the league are like this season but it is a double edged sword, as it also gives them a chance to look at you. So sometimes it may be better to find teams that aren’t in your league to play but sometimes this can be easier said than done.

On top of all this, getting a pitch can be difficult during the summer, as some schools may be locked up and cricket season is in,  so you may not have use of your home pitch. As a coach, during the season there is a lot of chasing around to do and in the summer it is supposed to be a break for you as well as the players but trying to arrange friendlies can see your summer break cut short.