Soccer
What Are the Benefits of Using a Private Soccer Coach?
Chapter 1
Private training has become very popular in recent years and many may ask why is that? In a private session, a player could potentially touch the ball over 1,000 times! Where at team practice, they may only touch the ball 100-400 times and the coach is more so focused on the team rather than each individual player.
Those extra touches add up over time. Quality repetition with correct form and technique is key.
Performing the wrong drill 100 times with the wrong form and technique will only reinforce bad habits. However doing that drill over 100 times with the right form and technique will create good habits, strong muscle memory to the point where it becomes automatic without thinking about! A quality private coach will only reinforce good habits and make improvements happen very quick.
The results will be very noticeable! Practice practice practice is how one can take their game to the next level.
For players looking to learn how to play soccer and are new to the game – being thrown straight into a team environment or soccer match can be daunting so working with an expert to start with can help ease you into the world of soccer.
For players wanting to play at an advanced or elite level – This is probably the most common reason for 1on1 training. As you aim higher and your level increases, the margins become smaller so working with an expert across specific and targeted areas of your game can really make a difference.
Learn and refine new techniques – Technical football is an area that is often over looked in team training but it is a vital component of a soccer player’s makeup. 1on1 soccer training and individual soccer practice is great for mastering skills that can be difficult to master in a game situation. Learning core ball mastery, first touch, turning techniques and ball striking along 1v1 domination are examples of where 1on1 soccer training will really benefit the footballer.
Focus on the individual needs of the soccer player – Football is a team game but the individual is a vital component in the team’s success. When training as a team, a players individual needs can be overlooked so 1on1 soccer training can help significantly. Working 1on1 is a blank canvas and the training can be specifically tailored to focus on areas which need work. Most often this is around technique, flexibility, speed, agility and power with and without the ball.
Build confidence in a football player – Soccer is very much a mental game as much as it is a physical one. Confidence plays a huge role in whether a soccer player succeeds and that is where 1on1 soccer training can help. Training in a positive environment where the focus is all about the player can really help to break down mental barriers and lift a soccer player to new confidence levels.Professional players
Lots of professional players also employ private trainers or incorporate aspects of individual training into their regimes to. The likes of Christian Pulisic, Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo and many more have been reported to appreciate the value.
One private soccer coach who has carved out a niche for himself in the professional game is Allan Russell. Operator of Superior Striker, an elite attacking specific training program. Russell's private clients have included Marcus Rashford and Ivan Toney.
As the professional game seeks to gain further marginal gains, expect to see an increase in the use of private specialist coaches from players and employment of individual video analysts too.
Chapter 2
Team trainings are a critical part of soccer, however, team trainings are typically only for that, the team. Team practices are centered around team dynamics, running plays, and developing team chemistry. There is little to no focus on individual player development.
Team coaches manage anywhere from 12 or more kids at each session. Some even take on 24 or more! That is a minimum of a 12:1 ratio. Team coaches do not have the time or capacity to focus on individual player skills during team practice.
For players that are at the required skill level, they will get more game time than those who do not. This is why many youth athletes are left wondering why they are on the bench more than others.
This is a core reason why a player must focus on skill development outside of team practice.
A private soccer coach can extend a player’s game knowledge and team skill by focusing on the individual. When a soccer player has a private coach, they typically train at least 1-2 times per week additionally outside of their team practices. This extra time training can make your child go from a soccer player who spends half their time on the bench to a starter.
A quality private soccer coach will give your athlete non-biased, expert feedback. They will help your soccer player strengthen what needs to be strengthened, identify where they need to be faster or give more focus in the game, and help provide training that will help with game and life experiences.
Private coaches go beyond skill-building. They help the player with all facets of the game. Great private coaches lived through the down moments and lived through the up moments. They understand what excellence looks like in their sport.
Private coaches can help a player, by using an outside perspective, form an action plan to get from where they are today to get to where they need/want to go.
When your athlete uses a private coach, they can expect development in their confidence, increased attention on their soccer skills, development, and identification of their motivation, they are given more time to improve and will grow more comfortable on the ball.
This isn’t something unique to youth soccer, even pro and collegiate soccer teams bring in private coaches for their players because the head coach does not have time to focus on developing individuals. Yet, they know it is necessary and expect their athletes to develop outside of team practice.
