The scope of intentionality supporting the design of played-form practice activities in soccer

Played-form practice in team sports like soccer is being studied with increasing popularity for the effect of manipulations made to the original settings of the game. However, the efficiency of practice sessions in leading towards improvement can be subject to challenges if, despite thoughtful design, activities depend on the objectivity of their design. To achieve better outcomes, coaches are, therefore, expected to clarify their intentionality and use this information to address diagnosed issues efficiently. There exist no pre-established lists of intentions for coaches to pursue, although the literature about the game, its core, and its principles all offer significant solutions to align the configuration of activities to intended effects towards participants. In this paper, we suggest two series of intentions where tactics and player-coach relations are, respectively, at the centre of the considerations. Namely, “triggering, fine-tuning, awakening, situating, challenging, adapting or maintaining, and preparing” are suggested keywords communicating a clear intentionality based on tactics. For the sake of applicability, we also present examples of designs based on our suggestions and practical implications on played-form practice, right from its design. A key message is: intentionality reflects an important thinking element in practice design as it serves to maintain organised practice activities relevant and efficient.