All sessions are carefully designed by 1UP’s Director of Player Development and current pro Niko Myroniuk, alongside 1UP’s founder Graham Fisher. They consist of the player habits needed to excel and improve in today’s modern game, inside game realistic training activities. Niko brings real-life experience from the highest levels of youth and professional soccer. Graham contributes 7 years of youth and professional experience in Germany, Ireland, Spain and England, plus his 3 national coaching licenses.
Session Structure
Each session is three fast paced, game realistic mini stations of around 18 minutes each, usually:
Unopposed activity, no defenders. High repetition, less decision making
Opposed activity. More decision making, less repetition
Mini game. Fast paced and game realistic, to bridge the gap between what they learn and the games they play
Most sessions include a shot or a finish on goal in at least one station, so players improve their goal scoring every week.
The Season at a Glance
Every week has a topic. Each one is set out in full further down.
November 2026
Cuts and Turns
November 6 to 8
Escape Skills
November 9 to 15
Vision and Awareness
November 16 to 22
Protecting and Shielding
November 23 to 29
December 2026
Games Week
November 30 to December 6
Delay, Deny, Destroy
December 7 to 13
1v1 Attacking
December 14 to 20
No sessions
December 21 to 27
Master Your Position camp
December 28 to 31
January 2027
In the Box Finishing
January 4 to 10
Aerial and Acrobatic Finishing
January 11 to 17
Advanced Finishing
January 18 to 24
Finishing Competition Week
January 25 to 31
February 2027
Turning in the Half Space
February 1 to 7
Advanced Dribbling
February 8 to 11
1v1 Defending
February 16 to 21
Games Week
February 22 to 28
March 2027
Aerial Control
March 1 to 7
Incisive Passing
March 8 to 14
First Time Finishing
March 15 to 21
Speed of Play Competition Week
March 22 to 25
Master Your Position camp
March 26 to 29
April 2027
Transitions Week
March 30 to April 4
Escape Skills
April 5 to 11
Tiki Taka and 1-2s
April 12 to 18
Games Week
April 18 to 25
Week by Week
What your player works on each week, the objective, and the coaching points they will hear on the field.
Cuts and Turns
November 6 to 8
Objective: Players will gain the ability to effectively change directions at tempo while recognizing the spaces around them.
Analyze the spaces (Dead-end or open?)
Select angle to cut (Forwards or secure?)
Select touch type (inside, outside, disguise)
Changing directions with one touch
Ball 1st, hips 2nd
Effective ball protection (safe side)
Escape Skills
November 9 to 15
Objective: Players will gain the ability to dribble, manipulate, protect and evade opponents in pressure pockets containing 2 or more defenders.
Rapid touches with BOTH feet
Find the space to escape
Creativity and disguise
Effective ball protection (safe side from nearest defender)
Vision and Awareness
November 16 to 22
Objective: Players will gain the ability to effectively scan and play while receiving the ball, recognizing space, defenders and teammates. The ultimate objective is to be able to have plan A and plan B before ball is received.
Double movement to shake defender
Demand ball
See space in front
Technique of Shoulder Check
Side on body shape
“check shoulder not back”
Length of check
- “take a picture not video”
Timing of Shoulder Check: For short pass, before the pass is made
Check too early? Picture behind can change
Check too late? Technique fails
Body shape
Facing desired direction
Facing away from desired direction (disguised)
Protecting and Shielding
November 23 to 29
Objective: Players will gain the ability to effectively use their bodies to protect the ball from defenders.
First to the ball
Shift weight towards defender (Low hips)
Create maximum separation (side on body shape, ball far away, arm up!)
Whats next? “Vision while protecting”
Use the defenders momentum to spin
Games Week
November 30 to December 6
Objective: Players will have the freedom to enjoy
competitive
mini games, in an attempt to show, perform and execute the previous 2 weeks of learnings. Players will be given tips and encouragement on how to translate 1UP training topics into their club training sessions, and more importantly, their club matches! Enjoy the Process!!!
Goal-Scoring Month!
For the month of January, all topics will be focused on striking and scoring in all areas of the game. There will be topics on
Advanced Finishing, Volleys & Acrobatic Finishes, In The Box Finishing
and more!
Delay, Deny, Destroy
December 7 to 13
Objective: To become confident in 1v1 duels against attackers, learn to defend and win the ball so we can attack.
Arrive at the ball quickly
Slow down as you get close
Get low and delay
Wait for a trigger to win the ball
Bad touch
Attacker’s head is down
Attacker turns their back
1v1 Attacking
December 14 to 20
Objective: Players will gain the ability to beat defenders by both dribbles and a double pass with teammate
Commit defender
Analyze space between defender and ball
Analyze space behind defender
Decision: Dribble or pass (try to add disguise)
Change of pace after ball beats defender ball
In the Box Finishing
January 4 to 10
Objective: Players will gain the instincts of a striker and finish in small spaces under pressure.
Early Decision
Change of speed into the box
Body shape set early (clear or disguise?)
Body over the ball
Accuracy over power, aim for bottom corners
Aerial and Acrobatic Finishing
January 11 to 17
Objective: Players will gain the ability to properly contact the ball off a cross in the air. Players will learn specific situations to use these striking techniques.
Volley:
Body Shape (Straight hips towards goal)
Toes down and ankle locked, laces contact
Timing of Strike (height)
Controlled follow through
Bravery!
Headers:
Engage neck
Contact with forehead
Follow through towards target
Advanced Finishing
January 18 to 24
Objective: : Players will gain the ability to finish chances in and around the box, with three of the most clinical shooting techniques when in tight situations.
Whips (inside of foot) & Trivela (Outside of foot)
Hips Facing Corner Flag
Contact Cheek of ball, with inside (toes up)
Close hips sharply during contact
Big follow through
Chip
Hips facing target
Contact chin of the ball, with top of the toes
NO FOLLOW THROUGH
Finishing Competition Week
January 25 to 31
Objective: Players will use the last 3 weeks of learnings to compete in finishing activities that will allow them to put their learnings into competitions that are game translatable. players will be given wristbands and will get a tally every time they score, the player with the most goals at the end of the session will be the winner!
Turning in the Half Space
February 1 to 7
Objective: Players will gain the ability to be comfortable turning under pressure within the lines.
Analyze the space
Double movement while scanning to arrive in the space
Open body shape
Select part of body for touch (Inside, outside, laces, chest, thigh, etc)
Select touch type (clear or disguise)
Drive at speed
Next action! (pass, shot, dribble)
Advanced Dribbling
February 8 to 11
Objective: Players will gain the ability to
manipulate
protect
and
change directions
evade pressure
and become more
dangerous
, all at
game speed
Changing directions with one touch
Ball 1st, hips 2nd
Freedom with the ball (Creativity & flair)
Effective ball protection (safe side)
Find open space
1v1 Defending
February 16 to 21
Objective: To become confident in 1v1 duels against attackers, learn to defend and win the ball so we can attack.
Arrive at the ball quickly
Slow down as you get close
Get low and delay
Wait for a trigger to win the ball
bad touch
attacker’s head is down
attacker turns their back
Games Week
February 22 to 28
Objective: Players will have the freedom to enjoy
competitive
mini games, in an attempt to show, perform and execute the previous 2 weeks of learnings. Players will be given tips and encouragement on how to translate 1UP training topics into their club training sessions, and more importantly, their club matches! Enjoy the Process!!!
Goal-Scoring Month!
For the month of January, all topics will be focused on striking and scoring in all areas of the game. There will be topics on
Advanced Finishing, Volleys & Acrobatic Finishes, In The Box Finishing
and more!
Aerial Control
March 1 to 7
Objective: Players will gain the ability to control the ball from the air using all parts of their body and get more shots on target while the ball is in the air.
Effective ball protection (safe side)
Body Shape
Technique of touch (inside, outside, laces, body)
Timing of control (height)
Effective cushioning of the ball
Bravery!
Incisive Passing
March 8 to 14
Objective: Players will gain the ability to break lines with passes to creating chances while their team is in possession.
Vision & Awareness before receiving (decision made before pass arrives)
Select body shape
Select pass type
Pass technique & execution
Disguise
First Time Finishing
March 15 to 21
Objective: Most goals are made with the first touch! Players will gain the ability to make better and more consistent finishes with their first contact!
Early Decision
Body shape set early (clear or disguise?)
Body over the ball
For Pass: Inside of foot contact, move sharp after pass
For shot: Accuracy over power, aim for bottom or top corners
Speed of Play Competition Week
March 22 to 25
Objective: Players will use the last 3 weeks of learnings to compete in speed of play competitions that will allow them to put their learnings into competitions that are game translatable.
Transitions Week
March 30 to April 4
Objective: Players will gain the tools necessary to begin transitions, allowing them to control all moments of the game.
Commit defender
Analyze space between defender and ball
Analyze space behind defender
Decision: Dribble or pass (try to add disguise)
Change of pace after ball beats defender
Escape Skills
April 5 to 11
Objective: Players will gain the ability to dribble, manipulate, protect and evade opponents in pressure pockets containing 2 or more defenders.
Rapid touches with BOTH feet
Find the space to escape
Creativity and disguise
Effective ball protection (safe side from nearest defender)
Tiki Taka and 1-2s
April 12 to 18
Objective: Quick combinations with 1-2’s to have players think quickly and make decisions before they get the ball.
Scan and Plan
Analyze space between defender and ball
Analyze space behind defender
Play and Move
Change of pace after ball beats defender ball
Games Week
April 18 to 25
Objective: Players will have the freedom to enjoy
competitive
mini games, in an attempt to show, perform and execute the previous 2 weeks of learnings. Players will be given tips and encouragement on how to translate 1UP training topics into their club training sessions, and more importantly, their club matches! Enjoy the Process!!!
Goal-Scoring Month!
For the month of January, all topics will be focused on striking and scoring in all areas of the game. There will be topics on
Advanced Finishing, Volleys & Acrobatic Finishes, In The Box Finishing
