A coach running a training session with cones

1-to-1 sessions

Small space. Big progress.

1-to-1 sessions

Small-space plans by focus

Eight session plans with diagrams and progressions for every age.

Pick a focus

Each plan fits a small space (about the size of a garden or half a 5-a-side pitch). One coach, one player, one ball, a few cones. 45-60 minutes: warm up, the drill, a game, cool down.

C10m × 10m

1-to-1 · First touch

Receive and move

Coach passes in. Player takes the first touch out of their feet through one of the gates, then passes back.

Space: 10m × 10m · Kit: a ball, 4-8 cones

Progressions by age

  • U5-U9: roll the ball by hand. Any touch counts. Lots of praise.
  • U10-U13: say "left" or "right" late, so they check over the shoulder first.
  • U14+: bouncing and driven passes, one touch then a pass, a defender's shadow (coach) closing in.
C15m × 15m

1-to-1 · Finishing

Shoot to score

Player dribbles from the cone and shoots into a small goal. Aim low and across the goal.

Space: 15m × 15m · Kit: a ball, 4-8 cones, small goal

Progressions by age

  • U5-U9: big goal, close range, any shot is a win.
  • U10-U13: use both feet, pick a corner (call it out before shooting).
  • U14+: first-time finish from a lay-off, then a time limit of 3 seconds.
C10m × 15m

1-to-1 · 1v1 attacking

Beat the defender

Coach is a passive defender in the middle. Player dribbles at them, uses a move (stepover, drag-back or a change of pace) and goes past to the end line.

Space: 10m × 15m · Kit: a ball, 4-8 cones

Progressions by age

  • U5-U9: coach walks, "steal the treasure" game, lots of goes.
  • U10-U13: coach becomes half-active, score by stopping the ball on the line.
  • U14+: full pressure (at a safe level), must beat them within 5 seconds.
C10m × 15m

1-to-1 · 1v1 defending

Stay on your feet

Coach dribbles at the player. The player gets close, side-on, and shows the coach one way (towards a cone), then wins the ball when it is safe.

Space: 10m × 15m · Kit: a ball, 4-8 cones

Progressions by age

  • U5-U9: "shadow" game: follow the coach, no tackling.
  • U10-U13: show them onto the weaker foot, jockey (move sideways, not straight in).
  • U14+: recover runs: start 2m behind and get goal-side first.
C10m × 15m

1-to-1 · Passing

Pass and move

Pass through the gate to the coach, then move to the next gate to get the ball back. Both feet.

Space: 10m × 15m · Kit: a ball, 4-8 cones

Progressions by age

  • U5-U9: big gates, inside of the foot, count the passes.
  • U10-U13: smaller gates, two touches, open body to receive.
  • U14+: one touch, weight of pass, longer passes along the ground.
CSmall goal 5m wide

1-to-1 · Goalkeeping basics

Safe hands

Coach serves gentle shots and rolls. Keeper gets behind the ball, makes a "W" with the hands for chest-height balls, then a "scoop" for low balls.

Space: Small goal 5m wide · Kit: a ball, 4-8 cones, small goal

Progressions by age

  • U5-U9: soft ball, roll and catch, no diving on hard ground.
  • U10-U13: ready stance, shuffle side to side, low dives on grass only.
  • U14+: shot stopping from different angles, set position, distribution after a save.
C15m line

1-to-1 · Speed and agility

Quick feet

A short ladder of cones. Quick steps through, then sprint 5m to the end cone. Rest fully between goes.

Space: 15m line · Kit: a ball, 4-8 cones

Progressions by age

  • U5-U9: animal moves (bunny hops, crab walk), races against the coach.
  • U10-U13: different patterns (in-in-out), reaction to a clap.
  • U14+: short sprints with full rest, 5-10-5 shuttle. Time it with the stopwatch.
C10m × 15m

1-to-1 · Weak foot

Make both feet strong

Wall passes with the weaker foot only, then a weaker-foot dribble around the cones and a pass into the gate.

Space: 10m × 15m · Kit: a ball, 4-8 cones

Progressions by age

  • U5-U9: "magic foot" game: points for every weak-foot touch.
  • U10-U13: count weak-foot passes in 30 seconds (Weak-foot challenge).
  • U14+: finish and pass under pressure with the weak foot only.

Key: yellow = player, white C = coach, orange = cones, solid arrow = pass, dashed arrow = run or dribble.

Keep going

Adults training under lights on a grass pitch at night Tools Coach tools Notes and timed tests per player. A team huddle on the pitch Safety 1-to-1 safeguarding The checklist for every new player. A goalkeeper diving to save the ball Keepers Goalkeeping in 1-to-1 Safe hands first.