What Is 1-2-1 Coaching – and Why Does It Matter for Players?
- Che Maguire
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Jethy Kinavuidi is a current under 20’s footballer who is also a 1-2-1 coach. He currently balances playing regular games while fitting in clients most days in the week. Jethy was inspired by a previous coach who offered him 1-2-1 sessions which he had never received before. This led him to getting his qualifications as a sports coach in school and starting his own business, MVP Performance Academy. The academy started as solely 1-2-1 sessions but now covers group sessions, mainly targeted towards younger players looking to take that next jump in their game.
Football development doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some players train in structured academies, others play in community teams, school football, or local leagues. No matter the level, one challenge stays the same, coaches have limited time, and players all develop at different speeds. That’s where 1-2-1 coaching comes in.
1-2-1 football coaching is exactly what it sounds like, one player working directly with one coach. The entire session is built around the individual. Instead of fitting into a group plan, the plan fits the player. That personal focus is what makes it such a powerful development tool across all levels of the game.
In group training, even the best coaches have to divide their attention. Sessions are designed to suit the majority, which means individual issues can be missed or only briefly addressed. 1-2-1 coaching removes that limitation. Every touch, movement, and decision is observed. The coach can stop a drill instantly, explain a detail, and adjust it on the spot. If something isn’t working, it gets changed. If a player is progressing quickly, the session becomes more challenging. Nothing is wasted.
Michael Smith, an under 20’s grassroots player, said:
“Group training was always at a high standard, but I always felt like I couldn’t work on my weaknesses like my weak foot and some technicals. The 1-2-1 side of coaching meant I could choose what I was working on and helped me become one of the better players in my team.
“I always asked coaches at my clubs if they could take me aside to work on this stuff, but they never had the time or the resources to do so. 1-2-1 coaching was incredible for my development technically. Physically, I feel I’ve always been fine with my own training, but I was always lacking that bit of technical ability.”
This level of detail is valuable at any stage of development, but it is especially important for younger players who are still building their technical base.
One of the biggest reasons players turn to 1-2-1 coaching is being able to track progress. In group environments, improvement can feel slow or unclear. Players train regularly but aren’t always sure what they are getting better at. 1-2-1 coaching gives structure to development.
Particular aspects of a player's game, such as first touch, passing, shooting, movement, weak foot, and decision-making, are the focus of sessions. Players spend more time repeating actions until they begin to improve rather than quickly covering a lot of areas. Since feedback is provided immediately, learning is accelerated and players are able to experience what flawless execution feels like.
Over time, this aids players in gaining self-assurance, identifying their advantages, and making noticeable advancements on the field.
In group sessions and matches, many players play within themselves. Fear of making mistakes can lead to safe decisions, rushed actions, or avoiding the ball altogether. That hesitation limits development. 1-2-1 coaching creates a different environment.
When players are alone with no teammates, they can try new things and see what happens. They do not have to worry about what others think. If they make a mistake, it is okay because they can learn from it. As players get better at training, they start to feel more confident when they play matches. They are happy to get the ball and make choices on the field. Football is not just about being good with the ball. Players need to know when to do things and why they are doing them just like they need to know how to do them. Football is about knowing what to do and when to do it. That is just as important as being good at kicking the ball.
The bond that forms between the coach and the player is another important advantage of 1-2-1 coaching. Coaches frequently have little opportunity to get to know each player in a group context beyond how well they perform during drills or games. On the other hand, 1-2-1 coaching enables coaches to learn more about a player's personality, learning style, strengths, and shortcomings.
When people feel comfortable, they give feedback and talk more clearly. Players are more okay, with talking about things they do not know and asking for help. The Football Players feel at ease discussing areas the Football Players believe require improvement and owning up to the Football Players ignorance. This trust helps the Football Players learn more and the Football Players development is better.
In 1-2-1 sessions coaches have the time to explain their decisions in detail. The players can look at moments that happen in games. For example, they can think about where to position themselves. They can also think about how to scan before they get the ball, when to play the ball forward and when to keep the ball. The players and coaches can talk about these things, like the game and the players can get an understanding of what the coaches want them to do in the game and what they can do to play better.
This helps players develop a better understanding of the game. Instead of reacting, they start anticipating. That football intelligence is valuable at every level and often separates effective players from inconsistent ones.
A huge setback 1-2-1 coaching faces is the lack of game-like scenarios. Without a large group, it is difficult to fully recreate the intensity of competitive matches. Football decisions are often influenced by teammates’ movements, opposition positioning, and changing game situations, which are harder to replicate in an individual setting. As a result, some aspects of tactical understanding and teamwork must still be developed in group training and matches.
However, this limitation does not reduce the value of 1-2-1 coaching. Instead, it highlights the importance of balance. When individual coaching is used alongside team training, players are better prepared to apply their technical improvements and decision-making in real game situations.
While 1-2-1 coaching is useful across the game, its impact is often most visible at grassroots level. Grassroots football usually involves large squads, mixed ability levels, and limited coaching time. Coaches do their best, but they can’t individualise everything. As a result, some players don’t get the attention they need to progress.
Michael said:
“I was returning from a bad injury and couldn’t get back up to speed with the team training. I got some 1-2-1 sessions, mainly for fitness but for sharpness too and when I came back to the team I was back on top of my game.”
1-2-1 coaching helps fill that gap. It supports team training rather than replacing it, giving players extra time to work on their own development so they can bring more confidence and quality back into matches.
Long-term, 1-2-1 coaching can be very effective in maintaining a player’s interest in football. Many players develop at different rates, and not all of them advance through academies. A different route is provided by individual coaching, which allows players to keep getting better and enjoying their game. It offers additional support that might not always be available in team settings, especially for grassroots players. In the end, 1-2-1 coaching is a useful technique in contemporary football since it improves team performance and individual growth when applied properly.
1-2-1 coaching has emerged as a massive part of player development in a game where players have less and less time and attention. By concentrating on the individual, players can improve their skills, gain belief, and develop a better understanding of the game in ways that are usually not possible in team environments. 1-2-1 coaching is assisting players at all levels in making significant progress in their development when used in conjunction with team training.
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