A football training camp for a women’s team does not fundamentally differ from any other training camp when it comes to the sporting basics. Good pitches, short distances, suitable meals, reliable training slots and enough time for recovery are important for every team.
However, there are a few aspects that deserve particular attention when planning a training camp for women’s football teams. These include suitable changing and sanitary facilities, sufficient energy intake and consistent injury prevention.
Most importantly, not every player and not every team has the same needs. Good planning therefore avoids general assumptions and instead clarifies the team’s individual requirements as early and as specifically as possible.
1. Good training conditions are the foundation
For women’s teams, too, sporting quality comes first. The training pitch should suit the planned programme, be reliably available and ideally be located close to the accommodation.
Key factors include:
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suitable natural or artificial turf
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confirmed training slots
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short distances between hotel and training facilities
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enough space for warm-ups, strength and conditioning, and individual exercises
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options for treatment and recovery
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sufficient time between training sessions
Even the most comfortable hotel cannot make up for poor training conditions. At the same time, an excellent pitch is of limited value if long transfers, inconvenient meal times or insufficient recovery periods disrupt the daily routine.
2. Make injury prevention part of the daily schedule
Injury prevention should be part of every football training camp. In women’s football, particular attention should be paid to preventing anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Research shows that female football players have a higher risk of ACL injuries than male players. The causes are complex and cannot be attributed to a single factor or to the menstrual cycle alone.
Neuromuscular prevention programmes can help reduce the risk when performed regularly and correctly. These may include exercises focusing on:
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leg alignment and core stability
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strength of the leg and hip muscles
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controlled landing after jumps
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deceleration and changes of direction
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balance and coordination
A training camp offers a good opportunity to incorporate these elements consistently into warm-up routines. At the same time, the overall training load should not be increased too abruptly. Several sessions per day require sensible load management, sufficient breaks and adjustments based on each player’s current fitness level.
3. Consider menstrual health and privacy
Menstrual symptoms can affect the wellbeing and readiness to train of individual players. The extent and type of symptoms vary considerably from person to person.
Current scientific evidence is not sufficient to recommend adjusting training plans across the board according to specific phases of the menstrual cycle. UEFA therefore emphasises that cycle or symptom tracking should primarily support health and wellbeing rather than be used to automatically predict performance or injury risk.
If pregnancy, breastfeeding or returning to football after giving birth are relevant within the squad, training and travel arrangements should be discussed individually with the player and appropriately qualified medical professionals.
Clean changing rooms, seated toilets and functioning showers should be standard. In practice, however, it is still worth checking the facilities in detail before booking, particularly when sports facilities are shared by several teams at the same time.
Especially where coaching and support staff include both men and women, clear agreements about when coaches, physiotherapists or other staff members may enter the changing room help ensure a smooth and respectful routine without unnecessarily complicating the issue.
4. Ensure sufficient energy intake
Women’s teams do not automatically require a special diet during a training camp. What matters is that the meals match the training load, daily schedule and individual needs of the players.
With several training sessions per day, there should be enough energy-rich meals, carbohydrate sources, protein, drinks and suitable snacks available. Vegetarian or vegan diets, allergies and intolerances should also be discussed with the accommodation in advance.
Consistently insufficient energy intake can negatively affect health, recovery and performance. Changes in menstruation can be one possible warning sign and should be assessed professionally. Supplements or iron preparations should not be given to the entire team as a matter of routine, but only after individual assessment and professional advice.
Before travelling, it is therefore worth checking:
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Do meal times fit around the training sessions?
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Is a meal or snack available soon after training?
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Are drinks available at all times?
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Can allergies and different dietary requirements be accommodated?
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Can additional snacks or packed lunches be organised?
5. Plan for personal equipment and laundry
Alongside boots, training clothes and shin guards, players should pack enough sports bras and personal hygiene products. As a general rule, a training camp is not the right time to wear completely new equipment for the first time across several intensive sessions.
With a demanding training schedule, it is also useful to know whether sweaty training clothes can be washed or at least dried properly. A laundry service or suitable drying facilities make everyday life easier – regardless of whether it is a women’s or men’s team.
Useful items for the personal packing list include:
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enough training clothes and changes of clothing
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personal menstrual and hygiene products
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individually required medication
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tape, supports or orthopaedic aids
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recovery tools according to individual needs
6. Ask the team instead of making assumptions
The best source of information when planning a training camp is the team itself. A short survey before booking, which can also be anonymous if preferred, can help identify relevant requirements early on.
Topics may include:
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dietary preferences, allergies and intolerances
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room arrangements and desired level of privacy
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medical or physiotherapy requirements
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need for recovery facilities
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required training and fitness equipment
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individual requirements relating to pregnancy, breastfeeding or returning to sport
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preferred leisure and team-building activities
Not every women’s team is looking for a wellness hotel, and not every squad requires special medical facilities. The important thing is that the accommodation, sports facilities and daily routine suit the specific team.
Checklist for a women’s football training camp
Before booking, coaches and team managers should be able to answer the following questions:
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Are the training pitch and training times confirmed?
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Are the distances between accommodation, training facilities and meals short?
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Is there a dedicated changing room with suitable showers and toilets?
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Are privacy and opportunities to withdraw guaranteed?
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Do meals and snacks match the planned training load?
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Is sufficient recovery time included in the schedule?
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Is there a structured injury-prevention programme?
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Is there a trusted contact person for health-related topics?
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Have the team’s individual requirements been discussed in advance?
Conclusion: good planning considers the whole team
A successful training camp for a women’s football team does not require a fundamentally different sporting concept. However, it does require careful attention to certain conditions that can sometimes receive too little consideration in everyday training.
Suitable sanitary facilities, privacy, appropriate nutrition, individual communication and consistent injury prevention create the right conditions for players to focus on training, recovery and team building.
If you are looking for suitable accommodation, SOCCATOURS offers a selection of proven training camp options for women’s teams.
