How often should a footballer do 1-on-1 training
- Feb 17
- 3 min read
TL;DR
The right amount of 1-on-1 football training depends on a player's age, level, and goals. When used alongside team training, individual sessions help young players build strong habits, grow in confidence, and perform more consistently on match day.
One of the most common questions parents ask is how often their child should be doing 1-on-1 football training. It is a fair question, especially with busy schedules and growing demands from clubs and schools.
There is no single answer that fits every player. Age, experience, and development goals all play a part. What is clear is that 1-on-1 football training has become an important part of modern player development when used correctly.
Why 1-on-1 football training works
In a 1-on-1 environment, the player is the clear focus of the session. Training time is not shared, and every drill is designed with purpose.
Unlike team training, where sessions often centre on shape and tactics, individual football coaching allows the game to slow down. This gives coaches the chance to fix details, guide decision-making, and build habits that show up during matches.
You can read our full post on 1-on-1 training here.
How often should young footballers train 1-on-1?
Ages 6 to 9
Recommended: 1 session pw
At this stage, football should be fun and engaging. The goal is to help players feel comfortable with the ball and enjoy coming to training.
Focus areas often include:
Ball mastery
Coordination and balance
Confidence in basic movements
A positive connection with the game
Intensity matters far less than enjoyment at this age.
Ages 10 to 13
Recommended: 1 session pw, with a second session during key development phases
This is a vital learning period where habits begin to form. Players are more aware of their surroundings and ready to take on more detail.
Common focus areas include:
First touch and ball control
Passing quality
Movement off the ball
Scanning and awareness
Good coaching during these years can shape how a player performs later on.
Ages 14 to 17
Recommended: 1-2 sessions per week
At this stage, 1-on-1 training becomes more performance focused. Sessions reflect the demands of match play and the player’s position.
Training often focuses on:
Playing under pressure
Decision-making at speed
Position-specific actions
Match intensity and consistency
This is where individual training can have a strong impact on confidence and match performance.
Senior players
Recommended: Based on schedule and individual needs
For senior players, 1-on-1 training is often used to stay sharp, address weaker areas, or prepare for matches.
Sessions may focus on:
Match readiness
Specific technical gaps
Recovery-based work
Confidence leading into competition
How 1-on-1 training supports team performance
There is sometimes a concern that individual training makes players selfish. In practice, the opposite is usually true.
A player who controls the ball well, reads the game quickly, and moves efficiently is easier to play with. These players are more likely to follow instructions, keep possession, and make good choices under pressure.
1-on-1 sessions help players arrive at team training prepared, confident, and ready to take on tactical work.
Finding the right balance each week
A healthy training week usually includes both team and individual work.
Team training helps players understand:
Structure and shape
Communication
The game model
Playing as a unit
1-on-1 training supports:
Technique
Confidence
Individual detail
Personal development goals
Together, this balance helps develop complete footballers.
Quality matters more than quantity
More sessions are not always better. Progress comes from training with purpose and allowing time to recover. What matters most is clear goals, well-planned sessions, coaching detail and proper recovery.
One high-quality 1-on-1 session each week can often be more effective than several unfocused sessions.
Final thoughts for parents
Football development takes time. There are no shortcuts.
When used correctly, 1-on-1 football training gives players clarity in their learning, confidence in their ability, and ownership of their development. Over time, these small improvements add up and show on the pitch.
For parents who want to understand whether 1-on-1 football training is right for their child, having an honest conversation is a good place to start. If you would like to learn more about individual football coaching in Perth, or discuss what type of training suits your child, feel free to get in touch and have a chat!
