Designing a 6-Week Periodisation Plan with the CDE Framework and Football-Specific Fitness

August 19, 2024 by Admin

Designing a 6-Week Periodisation Plan with the CDE Framework and Football-Specific Fitness

In our previous blog, we discussed the concept of periodisation and its role in optimizing player performance. Now, we'll expand on that by providing a detailed 6-week periodisation plan that incorporates the CDE (Communication, Decision-Making, Execution) framework and football-specific fitness. This blog aims to help coaches understand how to structure training sessions that develop these key aspects while balancing recovery and intensity.

What is Periodisation?

Periodisation is the systematic planning of athletic training to achieve peak performance at the right time. It involves dividing training into specific cycles that balance intensity and recovery, ensuring that athletes are in top condition for competition. In football, periodisation extends beyond fitness to encompass tactical, technical, and psychological aspects, making it a holistic approach to player development.

Professional Team: 6-Week Periodisation Example

For a professional football team that trains 5-6 days a week with one match per week (typically on Saturdays), the periodisation plan focuses on managing high training loads while ensuring optimal recovery. Here's how to integrate the CDE framework and football-specific fitness into the plan.

Week 1-2: Foundation Phase

  • Objective: Build a solid fitness base while integrating tactical and technical work, with a focus on Communication (C).

  • Monday (Communication): Light recovery session focusing on ball work, passing drills, and communication between players. Emphasis on verbal and non-verbal communication during exercises.

  • Tuesday (Football Fitness): High-intensity interval training (HIIT) focusing on aerobic capacity, followed by tactical sessions that incorporate communication drills.

  • Wednesday (Decision-Making): Tactical and technical training focusing on team shape and positional play. Drills that require quick decision-making, such as small-sided games with varying rules.

  • Thursday (Execution): Strength training in the morning, followed by a tactical session in the afternoon focusing on executing decisions under pressure.

  • Friday (Communication/Recovery): Pre-match preparation with light communication-focused drills. Emphasis on set-pieces and tactical discussions.

  • Saturday (Match Day): Match day with focus on integrating all aspects of CDE.

  • Sunday (Recovery): Recovery session, including light jogging, stretching, and hydrotherapy.

Week 3-4: Intensification Phase

  • Objective: Increase intensity with a focus on match-specific fitness and sharpness, with an emphasis on Decision-Making (D).

  • Monday (Recovery/Football Fitness): Recovery session focusing on light fitness work and flexibility, including foam rolling and stretching exercises.

  • Tuesday (Decision-Making): Tactical game scenarios with high-intensity sprints and small-sided games designed to enhance quick decision-making under pressure.

  • Wednesday (Execution): Technical drills combined with strength and power training. Focus on executing decisions during high-intensity drills.

  • Thursday (Football Fitness): Aerobic endurance training with a tactical session focusing on pressing and transitions. Emphasis on sustaining high performance throughout the game.

  • Friday (Communication/Recovery): Tactical review and set-piece rehearsal, emphasizing communication between players.

  • Saturday (Match Day): Match simulation, focusing on integrating all aspects of CDE during the game.

  • Sunday (Recovery): Active recovery, such as low-intensity cycling or swimming, to promote muscle recovery.

Week 5-6: Peak Phase

  • Objective: Sharpen match fitness and fine-tune tactical execution, with a focus on Execution (E).

  • Monday (Communication/Recovery): Light recovery focusing on communication drills, ball control, and passing accuracy.

  • Tuesday (Execution): High-intensity match simulation, focusing on executing tactics and strategies with precision.

  • Wednesday (Decision-Making): Strength maintenance with short, explosive exercises, followed by decision-making drills in small-sided games.

  • Thursday (Football Fitness): Tactical session focusing on opposition analysis, combined with endurance drills to prepare players for sustained performance.

  • Friday (Communication/Recovery): Tactical walk-through and set-piece refinement, emphasizing clear communication and understanding of strategies.

  • Saturday (Match Day): Matchday focused on applying all CDE elements in a competitive environment.

  • Sunday (Recovery): Full recovery day with a focus on nutrition, hydration, and passive recovery techniques like massage and hydrotherapy.

Amateur Team: 6-Week Periodisation Example

For an amateur team that trains 2-3 days a week with one match per week (typically on Sundays), the periodisation plan is more condensed, focusing on maximizing training efficiency while balancing the players' other commitments. The CDE framework and football-specific fitness will be integrated into each session to optimize development within limited training time.

Week 1-2: Foundation Phase

  • Objective: Establish a fitness base with integrated technical work, with a focus on Communication (C).

  • Tuesday (Communication/Football Fitness): Light technical session focusing on passing, ball control, and communication drills. Aerobic fitness work with continuous running and small-sided games.

  • Thursday (Decision-Making): Tactical training focusing on team shape, followed by decision-making drills in small-sided games to build match fitness.

  • Saturday (Execution): Light technical and tactical session focusing on executing decisions during game-like scenarios.

  • Sunday (Match Day): Focus on applying CDE in a competitive environment.

Week 3-4: Intensification Phase

  • Objective: Build match-specific fitness and enhance tactical awareness, with an emphasis on Decision-Making (D).

  • Tuesday (Football Fitness/Execution): Interval training combined with tactical drills, focusing on execution under fatigue. Small-sided games to enhance quick decision-making.

  • Thursday (Decision-Making): Tactical session with high-intensity drills that simulate match conditions, focusing on quick decision-making and tactical awareness.

  • Saturday (Communication/Recovery): Pre-match tactical session focusing on communication during set-pieces and team discussions.

  • Sunday (Match Day): Emphasis on integrating CDE elements during the match.

Week 5-6: Peak Phase

  • Objective: Refine match sharpness and focus on game strategy, with a focus on Execution (E).

  • Tuesday (Execution/Football Fitness): High-intensity training with match scenarios, focusing on executing tactics and maintaining fitness throughout the game.

  • Thursday (Decision-Making/Communication): Tactical walk-through focusing on set-pieces, decision-making, and communication strategies.

  • Saturday (Recovery/Communication): Light session focusing on recovery and mental preparation, with emphasis on clear communication and team cohesion.

  • Sunday (Match Day): Competitive match where all aspects of the CDE framework are applied.

Differences Between Professional and Amateur Periodisation

The primary difference between professional and amateur periodisation is the frequency and intensity of sessions. Professional teams train almost daily, allowing for more detailed and specialized periodisation that includes focused recovery and injury prevention strategies. Amateur teams, with their limited training schedules, must maximize the efficiency of each session by integrating CDE and football-specific fitness into every training session.

Step-by-Step Guide for Coaches New to Periodisation

  1. Understand Your Team’s Schedule: Determine how many days a week your team can train and when your key matches are.

  2. Divide the Training Plan into Phases: Break down the training period into foundation, intensification, and peak phases.

  3. Incorporate CDE Framework: Ensure that each session focuses on one aspect of the CDE framework (Communication, Decision-Making, Execution) to develop well-rounded players.

  4. Balance Load and Recovery: Schedule recovery days and lighter sessions to prevent overtraining and ensure players are fresh for match day.

  5. Integrate Football-Specific Fitness: Use drills and games that mimic match conditions to build the specific fitness needed for football.

  6. Monitor and Adjust: Continuously assess players’ progress and adjust the plan as necessary to ensure optimal development.

Conclusion

By understanding and implementing a periodisation plan that integrates the CDE framework and football-specific fitness, coaches can structure their training programs to maximize performance while minimizing the risk of injury. This 6-week plan offers a practical framework for both professional and amateur teams, emphasizing the need to tailor the approach based on the team’s specific context. In our next blog, we will explore The Role of Nutrition in Football Periodisation to further enhance performance and recovery. Stay tuned!

Tags : FOOTBALL THEORY FOOTBALL PERIODISATION FITNESS