Vocabulary
8 key words for this lesson
DRILL
A specific exercise that players repeat many times to practise a skill — like passing, shooting, or defending.
The coach set up a passing drill — players practise the same movement over and over until it becomes automatic.
RONDO
A training exercise where one or two players try to win the ball while the rest keep possession in a circle or square. It trains passing, movement, and pressing.
They start every session with a rondo — six players keep the ball while two try to win it. It gets everyone's touch going.
SMALL-SIDED GAME
A practice match with fewer players than a real game — like 4v4 or 7v7 on a smaller pitch. Players get more touches and decisions.
They finish training with a small-sided game — 6v6 on a half pitch. It is fast, intense, and competitive.
DEBRIEF
A session at the end of training where the coach reviews what happened — what was good, what needs improvement.
The debrief lasted 15 minutes — the coach showed video clips of the passing drill and gave feedback to each player.
WARM-UP
A gentle exercise at the start of training — to prepare the body and reduce the risk of injury.
The warm-up includes light jogging, stretching, and some simple passing combinations — ten minutes before any intense work begins.
COOL-DOWN
A gentle exercise at the end of training — to bring the heart rate down slowly and help the body recover.
The cool-down is just as important as the warm-up — players walk, stretch, and do light mobility work to help recovery.
TACTICAL SHAPE
A training exercise that focuses on the team's organised structure — practising positions and movements without opposition.
Tuesday is always tactical shape day — the team practises their defensive organisation and attacking patterns without a ball at times.
SET PIECE
A planned situation from a dead ball — corner kicks, free kicks, throw-ins. Teams practise these movements specifically.
They spend an hour on set pieces every Thursday — working on corner routines, free kick runs, and defensive organisation.
Grammar Focus
Understand the grammar rule behind this lesson's topic
Grammar focus
Focus: Frequency adverbs and time expressions
We use frequency adverbs (always, usually, often, sometimes, rarely, never) to describe how often something happens. Time expressions (every day, three times a week, once a month) give more specific information. In football, these are essential for describing training routines.
Phrases
6 phrases and their meanings
WARM UP
To do gentle exercise at the start of training to prepare the body.
They always warm up for ten minutes before any intense work — it reduces the risk of injury significantly.
COOL DOWN
To do gentle exercise at the end of training to bring the body back to its normal state.
They cool down with a slow jog and stretches — it helps the muscles recover and prevents soreness the next day.
WORK ON
To practise and improve a specific skill or area of the game.
They are working on their defensive shape today — specifically how the back four moves together.
SET UP
To prepare or organise something — to arrange a drill, a pitch, or a formation.
The assistant coach sets up the cones for the drill before the players arrive — making sure everything is ready.
RUN THROUGH
To practise something from beginning to end — to go through a routine or movement.
They run through the corner kick routine three times — making sure everyone knows their position.
GIVE FEEDBACK
To tell players what they did well and what to improve — after a drill, a game, or a session.
The coach gives feedback after every small-sided game — specific, individual comments on each player's performance.
On the Pitch
Real phrases used on the pitch and at training — learn them, shout them!
These are phrases used during training sessions by coaches and players.
“Bring it in!”
Stop what you are doing and come together as a group — usually to receive instructions.
The coach shouts "Bring it in!" to gather all players around them. This usually happens at the start of a session, between drills, or at the debrief. Players stop their individual work and come to the centre to listen. It is one of the most common training session phrases in English-speaking football.
“Again! From the top!”
Repeat the drill from the beginning.
Instruction from the coach to restart a drill — either because the players made a mistake or because they need more repetition. "From the top" = from the start. Drills often need many repetitions before the movement becomes automatic. Hearing "Again! From the top!" is very common in training.
“Intensity! Work rate!”
Train with more energy and effort — this is not intense enough.
Shouted when the coach feels the session is too slow or easy. "Intensity" = energy and effort. "Work rate" = how hard each player is working. A good training session usually has high intensity — close to match conditions. "Intensity! Work rate!" is a reminder to push harder.
“Two minutes, water break.”
Take a short rest and drink water.
Instruction for a brief pause in training. Water breaks are important — especially in hot weather or intense sessions. "Two minutes" tells the players exactly how long they have. After the break, the session continues at the same intensity. Always drink water before you feel thirsty in training.
“That's the session — cool down and we'll debrief.”
Training is finished — do the cool-down exercises, then we will have a review.
End of session instruction. The coach announces the training is over and that there will be a cool-down followed by a debrief. The debrief is where the coach reviews the session, gives feedback, and previews the next training or match. This phrase marks the transition from hard work to reflection.
“Who goes in? Rotate!”
Change the players in the middle of the rondo — the players who have been pressing should rotate out.
Instruction during a rondo exercise. In a rondo, the players in the middle (who are trying to win the ball) rotate regularly — otherwise the same players are always doing the hard work. "Who goes in?" asks who is next to press. "Rotate!" is the instruction to change.
Videos
Watch these terms used in context
Dialogue
Read the dialogue and hover the blue words for definitions
Coach Diallo
Sofia
RonaldoRight — today's session. We always start with a warm-up — ten minutes. Then a rondo. We usually do the rondo for about fifteen minutes.
We do the rondo every session — I love it. It gets your touch going and it is great for pressing and keeping possession.
Exactly. Then we work on our tactical shape. Today we are specifically working on our defensive set piece organisation. We train set pieces twice a week — usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Then the small-sided game — my favourite part. We sometimes split into two teams of seven and play on a half-pitch. It is very intense. Very competitive.
Good. After the small-sided game, we always cool down — ten minutes. Never skip the cool-down. Then the debrief.
How often do we have a long debrief versus a short one?
Before a match, we usually have a short debrief — fifteen minutes. After a match, we sometimes have a longer review — up to 45 minutes with video. But we rarely do that more than once a week.
Do we ever have sessions with no drill? Just a match?
Sometimes — the day before a match, we sometimes have a light session with just a rondo and a quick small-sided game. No heavy drills. The body needs rest.
Exercises
Complete all three exercises to see your final score
Complete the Sentence
Choose the correct answer to complete each sentence.
Put the frequency adverb or time expression in the correct position.
1.The team [always] before the session with a ten-minute warm-up.
2.They [usually] are ready to start the rondo within five minutes of arriving.
3.[Every Tuesday], the team works on their set pieces for at least an hour.
4.She [rarely] the cool-down — she always stays for the full session.
5.The coach [three times a week] gives a short debrief during the season.
6.He [sometimes] on set pieces for longer than planned — when the coach is not happy with the quality.
Matching
Click a word, then click its correct definition.
Click a word on the left, then its definition on the right.
Words
Definitions
Fill in the Blank
Drag the correct words from the word bank to complete each sentence.
Sentence 1
They— — —warm up for ten minutes before any intense drill work.
Sentence 2
We train— — —during the season — Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Sentence 3
The coach— — —gives feedback after the small-sided game — specific and individual.
Sentence 4
— — —, they start with a rondo to get the players' touch going.
Sentence 5
She— — —misses a training session — her work rate is exceptional.
Sentence 6
The— — —lasted 45 minutes — the coach showed video clips and gave detailed feedback.
Sentence 7
They practise set pieces— — —— specifically corners and free kicks.
Sentence 8
They— — —have a light session the day before a match — no heavy drills.
Tip: Think about the meaning of each word and what makes sense in the sentence.
Multiple Choice
Choose the best answer for each question about the dialogue.
1.Where does a frequency adverb go in a sentence?
2.Which sentence is CORRECT?
3.What is a "rondo"?
4."She rarely misses a session." What does "rarely" mean here?
5.Which sentence has the frequency adverb in the WRONG position?
6.What is the purpose of a "cool-down"?
7."We train three times a week." What type of expression is "three times a week"?
8.What happens in a "debrief" after training?
Group Activities
Role-play scenarios and discussion questions for group classes
🎯 Choose the Best Response
Work in groups. Choose the best response — paying attention to frequency adverbs and time expressions.
Customer says
“How often does your team train during the season?”
Salesperson responds…
Customer says
“What is a typical training session structure?”
Salesperson responds…
Customer says
“Why is the cool-down important in training?”
Salesperson responds…
Customer says
“How often do you practise set pieces?”
Salesperson responds…
🔍 Spot the Mistake
There are three mistakes with frequency adverbs and time expressions in this training discussion. Find them.
Coach Diallo
Right — every session, we always start with a warm-up. That never changes.
Sofia
Do we today a rondo before the drilling work? I usually enjoy starting with one.
Coach Diallo
Yes — we do a rondo today. After that, we are going to work on our defensive shape.
Ronaldo
And we the small-sided game will have at the end, as always?
Coach Diallo
Correct. We usually finish with a small-sided game. Then a cool-down — ten minutes.
Sofia
How long the debrief is usually today — short or long?
✏️ Finish the Salesperson's Line
Complete the description of a training session — use frequency adverbs and time expressions correctly.
Customer
“Ronaldo: Can you describe a typical week of training during the season?”
Salesperson
“Coach Diallo: Every week, we usually train on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. …”
Customer
“Sofia: Why do you always start with a rondo?”
Salesperson
“Coach Diallo: We always start with a rondo because it combines technical and tactical work in a short time. …”
Customer
“Ronaldo: What does a debrief usually cover?”
Salesperson
“Coach Diallo: A debrief usually covers three things — what was good, what needs to improve, and what we will focus on next. …”
Customer
“Sofia: How do you keep training sessions interesting so players always give 100%?”
Salesperson
“Coach Diallo: Variety is the key — I never do the same session twice in a row. …”