HOW DO YOU PLAN AN OFF-SEASON TRAINING PROGRAM AS A COACH?

The off-season is often where the next season is quietly built.

There are fewer competitions, less visibility, and more space to focus on development. But without a clear structure, this period can also become unfocused or misaligned with long-term goals.

For a coach, effective off-season planning starts with reflection.

Before building anything new, it’s important to look back at the past season:
– Were the goals achieved?
– Where did performance meet expectations?
– Where did it fall short?
– What patterns can be identified in training, competition, and recovery?

This evaluation creates the foundation for what comes next.

From there, the focus shifts toward development.

A common instinct is to try to fix every weakness. In practice, long-term progress often comes from strengthening what already works, while selectively addressing key development areas that have the biggest impact on performance.

Another key element is athlete involvement.

Off-season planning should not be done in isolation. It’s important to align on:
– What are the goals for the upcoming season?
– What are the longer-term career goals?
– What motivates the athlete at this stage of their development?

When the athlete understands and contributes to the plan, commitment and consistency tend to increase.

Once the direction is clear, structure becomes essential.

Each part of the program should have a purpose:
– training sessions
– recovery periods
– physical and technical development
– mental preparation

Every element should connect back to the goals that have been set together.

Key Elements in Off-Season Planning

♦ Clear goal alignment
Both short-term (next season) and long-term (career progression)

♦ Strength-led development
Enhancing key strengths while addressing critical development areas

♦ Structured balance
A considered approach to training load, recovery, and progression

♦ Athlete involvement
Creating ownership and clarity through collaboration

♦ Checkpoints and measurement
Regular tracking of progress to support timely adjustments

Why Checkpoints Matter?

One of the most common challenges in off-season planning is waiting too long to evaluate progress.

If feedback only comes at the end of the off-season, there is a risk that:
– progress has slowed
– the direction needs significant correction
– the start of the season is affected

Frequent checkpoints — whether through physical testing, performance data, or qualitative feedback — allow coaches to make smaller, more effective adjustments along the way.

This keeps the program aligned and responsive.

Beyond the program

An off-season plan is not just a schedule.
It reflects how a coach thinks about development, communication, and long-term performance.

The most effective programs are not necessarily the most complex — but the most intentional, aligned, and adaptable.

As a coach - what is your process when planning an off-season training program? What has worked best for your over time?

Written by Onur Alakas

Ringette, U18 National Team Coach, Head of Coaching in Blue Rings