Clocks go back: 5 winter drills to keep young players warm

The clocks go back an hour at 2am on Sunday 25 October 2026, according to GOV.UK, which means darker, colder midweek sessions from next week. The answer to keeping young players warm and happy is simple: keep everyone moving, cut the queues and talking, and plan games that work under floodlights or indoors. Here are five drills that do exactly that.

Why winter sessions need a different plan

A drill that works on a sunny September evening can fall apart in November. Players standing in a line for a turn get cold quickly, lose focus and start drifting off. Long explanations in the dark are hard to hear and harder to see. In winter, every minute should be a minute of play.

• Aim for every player to have a ball, or be one pass away from one, for most of the session.

• Give instructions in under 30 seconds, then let them play.

• Keep your area inside the best of the floodlight and use bright cones or bibs.

Five drills that keep kids warm

1. Traffic lights dribble

Every player dribbles in a square. Shout "green" to dribble fast, "amber" to slow down with small touches and "red" to stop the ball under the sole. Add "roundabout" for a turn. It gets everyone moving from the first minute and works with any age.

2. Gate scoring

Scatter pairs of cones as small gates. Players dribble through as many gates as they can in 60 seconds, then race to beat their own score. Progress by working in pairs and passing through the gates instead.

3. Sharks and minnows

Minnows dribble across the area while one or two sharks try to knock their ball out. Anyone caught becomes a shark. Constant running, lots of laughter and plenty of close control.

4. Rondo with a rotation rule

Four or five players keep the ball from one or two defenders in a small square. Whoever loses the ball swaps in straight away, so nobody stands still for long. Older groups can play two touch.

5. Small-sided games, little and often

Finish with 3v3 or 4v4 on small pitches, in short games of three or four minutes. Rotate teams quickly so the bench never gets cold. More games means more touches, more decisions and warmer bodies.

Consider taking it indoors

If you can get a sports hall, use it. In a 2017 FA Learning article, Mike Skubala, then England futsal head coach, called the cold spell "a perfect opportunity for grassroots football coaches" to introduce futsal, and pointed to "no rain, no wind, no freezing players, parents or coaches." He also warned that indoor sessions are not an easy option, as less space can make play more physical, so set clear rules on contact.

Practical winter checklist

• Ask parents to send layers, gloves, a hat and a filled water bottle. Players still need to drink when it is cold.

• Check the pitch and floodlights before players arrive and remove anything hazardous.

• Agree clear pick-up arrangements now it is dark, and never leave a child waiting alone.

• Have a backup plan and a quick way to tell parents if a session is cancelled.

Quick answers

When do the clocks go back in 2026?

Sunday 25 October 2026 at 2am, when clocks go back one hour to 1am (GOV.UK).

How do I keep young players warm at winter training?

Keep queues and talking to a minimum, give every player lots of ball contact, use short small-sided games and ask parents to send warm layers.

Is futsal a good option for winter?

Yes. The FA has highlighted winter as a good time for grassroots coaches to try futsal indoors, away from rain, wind and cancelled sessions.

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