Is Private Soccer Training An Accelerator Or A Distraction?
Sometimes, private training accelerates growth. Sometimes, it creates fatigue, confusion, or quiet burnout. So, how do you know the difference?
Thony
4/24/20264 min read
Hey friends,
At some point, almost every youth soccer parent and player asks: “Are We Doing More… or Just Doing Too Much?”
You see other families investing in extra sessions. You hear that “serious players train more.” You worry that if you don’t add something extra, your child might fall behind. As a result, you start figuring out the logistics and cost of adding private training.
But here’s the tension: More training does not automatically mean better development. Sometimes it accelerates growth. Sometimes it creates fatigue, confusion, or quiet burnout.
So how do you know the difference?
The Clarity Moment
Private training is a tool, not a solution. It works best when it fills a specific developmental gap, such as a weak first touch, a lack of confidence on the ball, position-specific refinement, physical coordination deficits, etc.
Private training works poorly when it is used to chase exposure, copy what other families are doing, “feel productive” without a clear objective, or compensate for lack of playing time without understanding why.
The real question isn’t: “Should we add private training?” It is: “What specific developmental need are we trying to address?”
Extra training may just be noise if you cannot clearly name the need you are trying to address. Intentional development beats volume every time.
The Parent Action
Before scheduling any extra sessions this month, write down the following 3 things:
One specific skill your child needs to improve
How you will measure improvement
When you will reassess (4–6 weeks)
If there is no measurable focus, take a step back and pause. Development is not about stacking hours. It’s about targeting growth.
If this brought clarity to your thinking, forward it to another parent who might be wrestling with the same decision.
See you next time!
AROUND THE YOUTH SOCCER WORLD
Each week, we’ll bring you youth soccer news and stories, so you don’t have to search for them.
College Soccer Recruiting and Social Media: How to Handle Summertime. When it comes to youth soccer, the summer is usually a busy time for players. Between ID camps, offseason trainings, college visits and summer leagues, ... Read more
State of U.S. youth soccer Rondo: Will pay to play ever end? Is sending talent overseas the key? And will the U.S. come closer to winning a World Cup? The American youth soccer system is full of talent but lacking in organization, and... Read more
The 2026 World Cup is being framed as a catalyst for reshaping American youth soccer by emphasizing fun, inclusivity and lower costs, according to the Aspen Institute’s Project Play report on New York City and North Jersey... Read More
COMPLETE PLAYER DEVELOPMENT ZONE
The Player Development Zone is the place where players and parents take control and ownership of the path towards becoming complete players.
Each week, resources will help you design individual development plans tailored to your specific areas of improvement.
RESOURCES FOR THIS WEEK
ADDITIONAL 5-STAR RESOURCES
Ready to dive deeper with more soccer resources and training tools? Visit our ASU 5-Star Resources page to explore our full library of articles, guides, and resources.
This is your go-to hub for development support
(2) Tactical Understanding
You should look at the ball every time it is touched
Source: FIFA Training Centre
THIS WEEK'S POLL QUESTION
Communication with Clubs
Do you feel confident choosing supplemental training (private trainers, programs)?
Yes, I know what fits
Somewhat, but unsure
Not really
No, I feel like I’m guessing
We'll share the results of the poll in our next issue!
LAST WEEK'S POOL RESULTS
What creates the most pressure for you in youth soccer?
Not at all – 39.1%
Yes, very clearly – 26.1%
Rarely – 26.1%
Somewhat – 8.7%
Thank you for reading this week’s Advance Soccer Brief. See you next time!
— Thony and Kevin
Advance Soccer USA
P.S. We like to think we’re doing a good job—but we know we’re not perfect. Got feedback on the newsletter? We’d love to hear it! Just hit reply or email us at newsletter@advancesoccerusa.org.
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