Directors Blog: The Pros and Cons of 1-to-1 Coaching in Football
The Pros and Cons of 1-to-1 Coaching in Football
In recent years, 1-to-1 coaching has become increasingly popular in football, with many parents seeking additional training sessions for their child, whether that's to help in their long term football development or just to keep up with the Jones', this blog will explore some of the good and the bad.
While this 1-to-1 approach has undeniable benefits, it’s not without its drawbacks. Let’s take a look at the positives and negatives of 1-to-1 coaching in football and provide some potentially useful feedback and observations of what we’re seeing become a more increasingly popular aspect of youth football.
The Positives of 1-to-1 Coaching
1. Tailored Development
One of the biggest advantages of 1-to-1 coaching is the ability to focus on the inpidual needs of the player. Unlike team training sessions, which cater to a variety of skill levels and positional demands, 1-to-1 coaching allows the coach to design sessions that directly target the player’s weaknesses and build on their strengths. This personalised attention can accelerate skill development and boost confidence.
2. Detailed Feedback
In a 1-to-1 setting, coaches have the opportunity to provide in-depth, immediate feedback. This allows players to make adjustments in real-time, which can be incredibly effective for technical improvements. For example, a coach can break down the mechanics of a player’s shooting technique or passing accuracy, offering corrections and advice that might not be feasible in a larger group setting.
3. Focus on Specific Skills
Players can work on niche areas of their game that may not receive as much attention during team training. Whether it’s improving a current less developed area of a players game or making a current strength stronger and more impactful, 1-to-1 coaching allows for concentrated practice on specific elements of the game.
4. Confidence Building
For younger or less experienced players, the inpidual attention and encouragement provided in a 1-to-1 session can significantly boost their self-esteem. The absence of peer pressure or fear of making mistakes in front of teammates often creates a more comfortable environment for learning.
The Negatives of 1-to-1 Coaching
1. Coaches Who Facilitate Rather Than Coach
A major criticism of many 1-to-1 coaching is that sessions lack genuine coaching input.
With social media flooded with video’s, it's evident to anyone with an understanding of football development, that the coach becomes a facilitator rather than a coach, simply running drills without offering meaningful guidance, corrections, or tactical insights.
This “clipboard coaching” approach—where a coach sets up exercises but fails to actively teach—undermines the value of the session. Without proper coaching and coaching interventions, player development is limited and all the parent guardian is guaranteeing is another few ££ into the ‘coaches’ pocket.
2. Lack of Game Tempo
Football is a dynamic, high-paced sport that requires quick decision-making under pressure. One of the key limitations of 1-to-1 coaching is the inability to replicate the tempo and intensity of a real game. Even when drills are performed at full speed, they often lack the unpredictability and physicality of match situations. As a result, players might struggle to transfer the skills they develop in 1-to-1 sessions into actual games.
Again, the skill and the experience of the coach is so crucial here, of course its almost impossible to replicate true game tempo in these types of situations, however, the very best coaches will set challenges, create competition and adapt sessions based on what they see the player requires in order to get as close to it as possible.
3. Limited Game Realism
Another downside of 1-to-1 coaching is the lack of game realism. Football is a team sport that relies on connections, interplay, spatial awareness, and responding to the actions of opponents and teammates. In a 1-to-1 environment, these essential elements are often absent, leading to a disconnect between training and match performance. For example, a striker working on finishing in isolation may improve their shooting technique, but without defenders applying pressure or teammates creating opportunities, the training lacks the complexity of a real-game scenario.
4. Risk of Over-Specialisation
Focusing exclusively on inpidual skills in a 1-to-1 setting can sometimes lead to over-specialisation. While mastering specific techniques is important, all football players need to develop a well-rounded game that also includes tactical awareness, teamwork, and adaptability. Overemphasis on isolated drills can create players who excel in training but struggle to perform in a team context.
This is something that we see on a regular basis, players who are great in training, but cannot transfer any of those skills, techniques or even the confidence to try them in a competitive game scenario.
The very best players and those who go on to have long careers’ in the football are those who have ‘impact’ in the game, in possession, out of possession and in transition. The ability to be a great learner and really coachable is key, along with the ability to transfer skills learnt in practice into competition.
Your 1-to-1 coach should be supporting you do this, one very simple way is to set a challenge and then review it next time your together e.g. ‘In your next game, i’d like to you try and do the turn we practiced today 5 times’ and then at the next session ‘how did you get on? Did you try to do it?’.
5. Cost and Accessibility
Finally, 1-to-1 coaching can be expensive and may not be accessible to all players. This creates a barrier for those from less privileged backgrounds, potentially limiting opportunities for talented inpiduals who cannot afford personalised training sessions.
Finding the Right Balance
To maximise the benefits of 1-to-1 coaching, it’s essential to strike a balance.
These coaches must ensure they provide meaningful coaching instruction and create sessions that are both engaging and relevant to game situations. Incorporating decision-making drills, situational exercises will ensure the player is exposed to the best environment possible.
For players, it’s crucial to complement 1-to-1 coaching with team training and match experience. While inpidual sessions can sharpen specific skills, the ultimate goal is to transfer those skills into a competitive, team-based environment.
For parents, it's vital for you to ensure you select the right 1-to-1 coach for what you're trying to achieve. Unfortunately, in an un-regulated element of the industry, you have those who are simply out to line their own pockets, viewing 1-to-1 sessions as a way to line their own pockets. Hopefully, some of the advice above and the subsequent conclusion and tips below will help you navigate through the phonies and find the real coaches.
Conclusion
1-to-1 coaching in football has the potential to unlock a player’s full potential, but it’s not a magic bullet. Its effectiveness depends heavily on the quality of the coach, the structure of the sessions, and the player’s ability to apply what they learn in real-game scenarios. By understanding both the positives and negatives of 1-to-1 coaching, players and parents alike can make informed decisions and ensure that this training method becomes a valuable part of their development journey.
Further Tips for Parents: What to Look For in a 1-to-1 Coach
For parents seeking a 1-to-1 coach for their young player, it’s important to carefully evaluate the coach’s approach and priorities. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
1. Avoid Coaches Focused on Social Media Content
If the coach seems more concerned about filming sessions for Instagram/tiktok or other social media platforms than actually offering meaningful coaching, this is a red flag. While showcasing their work online isn’t inherently bad, the primary focus of a session should always be on the player’s development, not creating visually appealing content to help them get more ‘work’.
2. Look for Game-Based Coaching
Be wary of coaches who rely heavily on elaborate setups with loads of equipment but fail to provide game-based context or challenges. Circuit-style sessions that involve completing multiple technical actions without any tactical or game-relevant instruction can be ineffective. A good coach will explain how each drill applies to match situations and challenge players to make decisions as they would in a game.
3. Check Their Credentials and Experience
Ask about the coach’s qualifications, experience, and coaching philosophy. Ideally, they should have a strong background in football coaching, with certifications or experience working with players at various levels. A coach who has played or coached in competitive environments will often have valuable insights to share.
4. Observe a Session
If possible, watch a session to see how the coach interacts with players. Are they providing constructive feedback? Are they actively engaged in the session? Do they adapt drills to suit the player’s needs? A hands-on, attentive coach is far more effective than one who simply sets up cones and watches from the sidelines.
Equally, if you observe the coach delivering the same session over and over again to multiple children, this is further evidence of them caring about one thing, their own income and not the development of each child. Each player is different, with different strengths, weakness, personalities, learning styles and communication styles, therefore how can a one-size fits all session really benefit them?
5. Prioritise Development Over Results
A good coach will focus on long-term player development rather than immediate results. They should be patient, encouraging, and willing to work on areas of weakness without rushing to show off progress. Building a well-rounded player takes time and dedication.
6. Ensure a Positive Environment
Finally, make sure the coach creates a positive, supportive environment where your child feels comfortable to learn and grow. The best coaches develop a players confidence and a love for the game, ensuring that they enjoy their training sessions while improving their skills.
By keeping these tips in mind, parents can find a 1-to-1 coach who will genuinely contribute to their child’s development, helping them become not just a better player but a more confident and adaptable athlete/person.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right 1-to-1 coach can have a significant impact on a young player’s development and enjoyment of the game. It’s essential to find a coach who prioritises meaningful teaching, game-based realism, and long-term growth over superficial results, social media content or their bank balance. In a section of football coaching that remains unregulated, there are those who are out for their own personal gain and not for the development of the young players they work with.
Be careful to take the time to make sure you find the right person for your situation.
Dan Goffin
FFE Director of Football