Session design: 3 formats every coach should know

Carousel format

In coaching, using circuits is known as the 'carousel' approach, allowing players to develop multiple skills within one session by rotating through different activities.

Why use circuits

Circuits are a great way to keep players moving, maximise limited space, and develop multiple skills in one session. They work weel when you have large groups, mixed abilities, or want to bring energy and variety to training. You can focus on a single skill (e.g. racket skills, volleying), or mix in movement and fitness activities.

Setting up for success

On a standard squash court you can typically set up six to eight stations. Circuits can be done individually or in pairs - if numbers are high, one player can observe and give feedback while the other works.

• Keep it simple: Quick explanations mean more time moving. Use station cards to reduce questions.
• Manage time well: At least one minute per station gives players time to practice skills. Use a timer to keep rotations structured.
• Ensure safety: Designate zones to prevent chaos, and think about the flow and layout to avoid players crossing paths.
• Involve everyone: If numbers are high, have on player work while the other observes and coaches.

Whole-part-whole

The wole-part-whole setup is advocated in a lot of coaching environments. In this session, start with a simple version of a full game (it may be messy!), then isolate one key part (e.g. a specific technique), then finally revisit the game, looking for improvement on the technique you've worked on.

This setup is great as it gets players active really quickly and gives them lots of game-like action. You can then layer with more instructions in the 'part' activity. It's also really helpful to teach players why they are learning a skill, and showing them the tangible improvements between the first and the last game to boost their confidence.

Be sure to use effective questioning and reflective techniques to embed learning and demonstrate how far they've come.

Progressive practice

The most traditional session format, progressive practice, starts with a simple skill development activity which gradually increases in challenged and complexity.

Progressive practices are great for building confidence and developing skills in a logical step-by-step approach. They are also really adaptable, so suitable for mixed ability groups where you can level up or down depending on their skill level.

When using this kind of session design, make sure you have ways of making the activity easier or harder - it's important to give players time to practice a technique, but also being flexible to change it up if necessary. Having some adaptations planned out before will help you to think quickly on your feet and keep everyone engaged.

Final thought

You don't need to stick to one format - variety helps keep players engaged. Mix and match based on your goals, group size, and energy levels. For any type of practice:

• Keep it simple: Simplicity is key to getting people active quickly - you can layer information by making tweaks as you go.
• Clarity: Ensure players understand the purpose behind the activities so they can see the results.
• Keep it fun: Every session should be fun! It's what keeps players coming back.

So next time you're planning a session, ask yourself: "What do I want the players to get out of this?"