Author: Paul Bower et al.
Journal: Science and Medicine in Football (2026)

Planning and Periodisation in English Professional Football

This summary breaks down the findings of a 2026 study by Bower et al., which surveyed 77 performance practitioners across the English Premier League (EPL), Championship (CH), League One (L1), and League Two (L2) to understand how training is actually planned and delivered in the professional game.

1. Who Calls the Shots?

Despite the growth of sports science departments, the Head Coach or Manager remains the primary decision-maker for training planning and periodisation in 91% of professional clubs (and 100% of EPL clubs). While performance staff provide input, the final schedule is typically driven by the manager’s philosophy and accountability for results.

2. The One-Game Week: Two Rest Days are the Norm

While many academic “best practice” models recommend only one rest day per week, this study found that 81% of professional clubs actually use two rest days during a standard Saturday-to-Saturday week.

• The typical pattern: Most clubs take MD+1 (Sunday) and MD-3 (Wednesday) as their days off.
• Strategic Tapering: Session durations are highest on MD-4 (often 60+ minutes) and drop significantly on MD-1 (usually under 60 minutes) to ensure players are fresh for the game.

3. The Two-Game Week: Chaos vs. Structure

The approach to weeks with a Tuesday and Saturday fixture varies wildly depending on the league:

• Lower Leagues (L1 & L2): These clubs tend to maintain more structure, with 79–89% still implementing two rest days even in busy weeks.
• Higher Leagues (EPL & CH): Because of TV schedules and irregular kickoff times, these clubs have much less consistency. 15% of clubs (mostly in the EPL and Championship) reported no rest days at all during a two-game week.
• Tactical Focus: In these congested periods, clubs “taper” by reducing training intensity and volume, focusing almost entirely on tactical match preparation using low-intensity drills like rondos and technical work.

4. The “Non-Starter” Problem

One of the study’s most critical findings is that compensation strategies for non-starting players are often inadequate.

• The Gap: 39% of clubs provide no pitch-based football session for non-starters, and 46% only offer one session.
• The Risk: This lack of “top-up” training means non-starters often miss out on the high-intensity exposure needed to maintain match fitness, leaving them under-prepared when they are finally called upon to play.

5. Recovery Strategies

Professional teams use an average of six different recovery methods. The most common are:

1. Injury prevention and mobility work (83%).
2. Active recovery (83%).
3. Soft tissue therapy/massage (79%).
4. Cold Water Immersion: Used by 74% of clubs during two-game weeks, though some elite clubs avoid it in one-game weeks to prevent “blunting” the players’ long-term physical adaptations.

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Key Takeaways for Coaching Staff

• No “One-Size-Fits-All”: There is no single optimal model. Periodisation must be tailored to your specific squad, travel schedule, and philosophy.
• Review Non-Starter Loading: Consider if your substitutes and squad players are getting enough “game-speed” work. Relying only on post-match runs may not be enough to keep them match-ready.
• Collaborate on Rest: The study suggests that including at least one mandatory rest day in every four-day cycle is a key way to safeguard player health during congested periods.
• Adapt to the League: Lower-league coaches must manage weather and pitch disruptions, while higher-league coaches must manage the extreme variability caused by broadcasting schedules.

Note: This summary was generated with the assistance of Gemini based on the original article, with the aim of translating the research into practical insights for coaches and practitioners.