1 to 1 Football Drills

1. Ball mastery gate circuit

Outfield: close control with both feet

Set up

Set four two-yard cone gates in a 15x15 yard square. The player dribbles through every gate using a set surface — inside, outside, sole — then repeats on the weaker foot.

Coaching points

Small touches, ball close enough to change direction at any moment, head up between gates to find the next one.

Make it harder

Time each lap, or call out a gate number that must be next.

2. Receive, turn and drive

Outfield: first touch on the half-turn

Set up

The coach passes from ten yards. The player checks away, comes short, receives side-on and turns through one of two gates behind them.

Coaching points

Open the body before the ball arrives, receive on the back foot, and look over the shoulder before the pass is played.

Make it harder

The coach follows the pass as a passive defender, then a live one.

3. 1v1 with the coach

Outfield: beating a defender

Set up

A 15x10 yard channel with a mini goal at each end. The player attacks the coach and scores in the far goal; the coach defends at a set intensity.

Coaching points

Drive at the defender's front foot, use a feint to unbalance them, then accelerate away after the move.

Make it harder

Give the player three seconds to score, or raise defending intensity.

4. Finishing on the move

Outfield: shooting after a touch

Set up

The player starts at the edge of the box. The coach rolls a ball into space; the player takes one touch out of their feet and finishes into a corner.

Coaching points

Set the ball with the first touch, lock the ankle, and strike across the keeper's body.

Make it harder

Vary the angle of the pass, then make it one-touch finishing.

5. Handling ladder

Goalkeeper: clean catches at every height

Set up

The coach serves from eight yards: ten along the ground, ten at waist height and ten at head height. The keeper catches and returns.

Coaching points

Get the body behind the ball, hands in a W shape for high balls and a scoop for ground balls, then bring the ball into the chest.

Make it harder

Serve harder and from a half-volley, or add a set position step before each catch.

6. Footwork across goal

Goalkeeper: being set before the shot

Set up

Cones mark the near post, centre and far post a yard off the line. The keeper shuffles to the cone the coach calls, sets, and saves a shot.

Coaching points

Shuffle without crossing the feet, stop with weight on the balls of the feet, and keep the hands ready.

Make it harder

Call the cone later so the keeper has less time to set.

7. Low diving technique

Goalkeeper: safe diving saves

Set up

Start from kneeling, then a crouch, then standing. The coach serves to either side and the keeper collapses onto the ball.

Coaching points

Lead with the hands, land on the side not the elbow, and step towards the ball with the near foot.

Make it harder

Move from rolled serves to driven shots once the landing is clean.

8. Distribution targets

Goalkeeper: starting attacks

Set up

Mark three target zones at 15, 25 and 35 yards. The keeper rolls, throws and kicks to each zone after making a save or collecting a pass.

Coaching points

Pick the target before releasing, follow through towards it, and play to the receiver's front foot.

Make it harder

The coach moves the zone mid-drill so the keeper has to scan first.

What should a 1 to 1 football session include?

A short warm up with the ball, two or three technical blocks on one focus, a game-like challenge such as a 1v1 with the coach, and a cool down. Keep work-to-rest sensible — with one player there is no queue, so they work much harder than in team training.

Should goalkeepers and outfield players do different one-to-one drills?

Yes. A keeper's individual session should focus on handling, footwork, diving and distribution, while an outfield session focuses on ball mastery, receiving, 1v1s and finishing. Football Coach Hub's session builder asks which one you are coaching so the two are never mixed.

How long should a one-to-one session be?

45 to 60 minutes is plenty for most young players. Because they are involved in every repetition, shorter blocks with regular breaks keep quality high.

What equipment do I need for one-to-one coaching?

A few balls and a set of cones cover most outfield drills. For goalkeepers, add a goal and softer ground for diving. Mini goals help for 1v1 practices.