It’s no secret that football is the most widely played and competitive sport. With children learning to play football in the playground, at school training, with friends, in local teams or even in professional environments, football is a sport that most children will encounter. The above examples provide ideal environments for children to practice through repetition and increase their playing ability whilst having fun. Playing in social environments is also fundamental to the development of every player. However, with football being a team sport it can be difficult for a child to receive the one on one attention they sometimes look for and at times require to become the best player they can be.

1-on-1 coaching, or one to one football coaching as some people call it, has become increasingly popular over the past few years and to help decide if these sessions are the best option for you, we’ve put together a list of benefits you can gain from 1-on-1 football coaching:

1. Centre of attention
1-on-1 football coaching puts the learner in the centre of attention, it’s easy for players to get overlooked at group training or in busy environments - this form of training provides the perfect opportunity for the coach to deliver detailed coaching points that will increase the player’s performance. In addition to this, from a coaching and teaching perspective it is important to acknowledge that every individual is different and therefore, may have different learning styles. A 1-on-1 coach can quickly assess how each player most effectively learns and adapt their coaching style to fit them best.

2. Social and Psychological Development
Over the recent years, the FA has promoted the importance of player psychology. 1-on-1 football coaching creates an environment in which the player is being constantly and adequately challenged. This form of training encourages players to take ownership and responsibility for their successes and failures within each session. This can have a positive effect in preparation for matches and competitive environments and can also make them a more independent and decisive player in team environments.

3. Working towards personal goals: no matter the ability
There is a common misconception that only professional or near academy players should pursue 1-on-1 football coaching. This is wrong, the benefit of a 1-on-1 football coach is that they are flexible, have vast experience and can design a personal programme relevant to the areas the player would like to develop in. Each player has different objectives, goals and circumstances and this is why a 1-on-1 football coach can really help as they will take the time to listen, analyse and discuss a strategy and programme to effectively develop the player. There is also a constant communication line between the coach and the player which allows both to adapt to situations or unpredictable circumstances and most importantly continuously look for possible improvements in performance.

4. Practice makes permanent 
No matter the level of the player, there is always room for technical improvement and it is often hard for the player to know themselves what needs correcting and what they should be doing differently. If a player unknowingly repeats an action or a touch on the ball with bad form, then they will find it difficult to correct this. However, in a 1-on-1 coaching environment, the coach is able to spot bad technique quickly and correct it. This means that mistakes can be explained to player in detail, so that they have a better understanding of the correct form and work on repeating good habits.

5. Flexibility
Busy schedules can be challenging and 1-on-1 football coaching provides an efficient training session that can fit in with your timetable. 1-on-1 football coaches work versatile hours and will be able to coach based on the rest of the player’s routine which is especially important if the player has team training and matches at other points in the week, allowing for necessary recovery time. This is also beneficial for busy parents who can book their coach for time slots that are convenient and allow them to juggle other commitments. Another benefit of 1-on-1 coaching is the flexibility of location, you may not need to travel far, have access to equipment or a pitch, often a park is effective as the coach will bring their own equipment.

These benefits are just the beginning of the positive effects this coaching can have on players. The best way to find out how they can develop a player’s performance and if this is the right option for you is to test it out. 1-on-1 coaches are always looking for new clients as they are often energetic and driven individuals who are passionate about the development of their players.

Would you like to book a free coaching session with We Make Footballers? Coming along to one of our weekly sessions is a great opportunity for you and your child to meet the coaching team, gain confidence and enjoy our fun football training! Meeting the coaches is a great thing to do before starting 1-on-1 sessions as your child will already feel comfortable around their coach.

WMF are the number one coaching company in the UK (as voted on TrustPilot), to learn more about our coaching and for past experiences please check out our reviews!

You can find out more about our 1-on-1 coaching here.