Soccer training: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What soccer training is

Soccer training builds ball control, passing, shooting and positioning, with drills for individuals or teams. Players and parents book it before a season, before a tryout, or when a player keeps losing the ball under pressure.

Signs you need it

  • The player loses the ball under light pressure and cannot keep control in tight spaces
  • Passes go to the wrong foot or the wrong weight, so teammates cannot receive them
  • Shots from close range lack power or accuracy
  • The player stands still when the team has the ball and does not know where to move
  • A tryout or team selection is coming and the player needs work on specific skills

What the pro does

  • Checks the player's first touch, passing and shooting to find the biggest gap
  • Runs ball control drills with the ball at the feet, then adds movement and a defender
  • Teaches passing with the inside and outside of the foot, with a target and a weight to aim for
  • Works on shooting technique from the approach to the follow-through, with goals or targets
  • Covers positioning in a game, such as where to stand when the team has the ball and when it loses it
  • Gives home drills for a wall, a ball and a few cones

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Individual or small group training versus a team session
  • The player's age and level, since younger players need more basic skill work
  • Session length and the number of sessions in a block
  • Whether the session is at a field, an indoor facility or near the player's home
  • Whether the trainer brings goals, cones and balls
  • Whether video review or a written plan is included

What a written quote should spell out

  • Number of sessions, session length and start date
  • Field location and whether field time is included or booked separately
  • Whether the trainer provides balls, cones and goals
  • Group size and whether the session is individual or team-based
  • Cancellation terms for weather and field closures

Questions to ask before you hire

  • What does the first session check, and will you show me the first touch and passing?
  • Do you plan around the player's age and level, or use the same drills for everyone?
  • Do you train both feet, and how do you build the weaker one?
  • Will you give the player drills to do at home with a wall and a ball?
  • How do you coach positioning in a game, not only skills in a drill?
  • Do you hold a coaching certificate or license from a soccer coaching program?
  • Can you show me an eight-week plan before we book?

Red flags

  • Runs flashy or fast drills without checking basic touch first
  • Promises a spot on a select team or a college scholarship
  • Gives no feedback during drills and lets the player repeat the same mistake
  • Does not ask about the player's age, position or current team

What you can do yourself

A player can practice touches with a ball against a wall, dribble through cones in the yard, and juggle to build control. A parent can rebound shots and kick passes at a park. Hire a trainer when the same mistake keeps coming back, when the player is changing a technique like shooting or passing, or when a tryout is close.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to train soccer players. Ask whether the trainer holds a coaching certificate from a soccer coaching program. If the trainer works with children, ask for proof of a background check. Check with your state or local licensing agency only if a field or club has rules that apply to your sessions.

Soccer training questions

Can training help my child make a team?

Training can build specific skills, but team selection depends on many factors. Ask the trainer what they will focus on, and ask the team's coach which skills they look for.

Should my child train alone or with a group?

Solo work on touches and shooting builds comfort with the ball. Small group work adds passing and movement with others. Many players benefit from both.

Does the trainer need a background check?

If the trainer works with children, ask for proof of a background check before the first session. Many clubs require one, and a trainer should be able to show it.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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