Private coaching

forsomuch said:
Your 15 old needs a realistic assessment from someone not trying to sell you anything as to where he is at development wise. The vast majority of boys who go on to play in college are training too many times a week to run cross-country. I am sure there are a few exceptions but the boys who play soccer in college tend to play on the academy teams and other very competitive teams; they just don't have time for other sports once they get to high school.
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I agree 100% about the trainer assessing your DD because like most trainer they focus on what they believe the set of drills they need to do vs. going to see them play in a actual game and view the most critical areas they need to improve.
 
Soccermom4 said:
I recall that there were a coupke discussions about private coaching on the old forums but don't recall all the different points. As a fairly bew club parent, I am curious when others feel private coaching is necesary or worth the expense. When should a parent mot look into this?

I have come to realize that more people do this than admit. I know some fanilies send their kids to the Catalyst Training Center prior to HS or new club tryouts, others find coaches to help hone skills. I understand it has much to do with personal prefferences, but what are your opinionsabout when and how much? How do you even go about finding someone if most families don't even want to admit is (so no recs).[/QU

We got lucky in that we had a young coach within our club that did personal training sessions. He had graduated from the same local high school that my son would eventually attend so he was a local guy and he attended and played college soccer. And, he was very honest so we just simply asked him if he thought that private sessions might be good for our son to which he said yes and gave us a discount price of $40.00 a session vs the normal cost of $60.00 He had a couple of sessions with him and he told us that he gave our son the tools to work with and that he should be fine with those sessions. He could have made additional money off us, but he told us that he should be fine with what he received from him. At the time, my son was 10 years-old and he benefited from those sessions greatly. In later years, he turned out to be one of my son's varsity coaches (freshman - junior years) at the high school.

When he was 12, we also sent him to the residential ODP camp which takes place in Ojai. He did that for 2 years and it was a great experience for him. When they made him a forward with San Diego Surf, we sent him to the Cal South ODP Finishing Camp, which is not worth the time nor money at all.
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tugs said:
In San Diego? Gabe Arrendondo at Rebels if you have a DD under 12. No one better at developing touch and comfort on the ball with both feet to point where it's unconscious and effortless. Not a yeller and screamer either. Kids very comfortable with him and his demeanor. You can always tell a GA product when you see them around so cal. Both my DDs did privates with him and still do occasional "touch ups". Both on Surf ECNL now. Can't recommend the guy enough.
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Thanks! What a wealth of information.
 
forsomuch said:
Your 15 old needs a realistic assessment from someone not trying to sell you anything as to where he is at development wise. The vast majority of boys who go on to play in college are training too many times a week to run cross-country. I am sure there are a few exceptions but the boys who play soccer in college tend to play on the academy teams and other very competitive teams; they just don't have time for other sports once they get to high school.
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Yes, I can see what you mean. He is doing cross country for the first time this year, to test the waters. He is more than willing to not tryout next year if need be. Fortunately, Cross country has not been too bad. I expected it would be more time consuming, but not so much. Of course, I think an assesment by soneone not getting a financial gain is best. Thanks for your input.
 
It really depends on what you want to work on. My kids go to catalyst but if you want pure foot work skills I'm sure you can look into coaches that give privates within your club. Someone suggested Gabe. I know people who used him and were happy with him. I would give him a try for skills.
 
Yari Allnutt is another great trainer in San Diego. Really makes our kids work hard/pushes them to reach new levels but is also super positive. If you want his contact info you can DM me.
 
Deadpoolscores! said:
I agree 100% about the trainer assessing your DD because like most trainer they focus on what they believe the set of drills they need to do vs. going to see them play in a actual game and view the most critical areas they need to improve.
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Good idea if we can list solid trainers in OC, IE and LA as well. Great resource.
 
I would agree about having coaches outside your club help evaluate your player. Also have to keep in mind you know your kid best and know what motivates him - some kids need defined structure, some kids will train on their own, some will shut down if yelled at and some wont move if everything is always "all good". My kid usually needs a kick in the pants, someone firm but not screaming and hollering. When a coach doesnt have incentive other then making him/her better, then they become a good person to ask to seek advice about: club changes (as long as they arent tied to a club), skills your child needs to improve on, what level they should probably be playing at, and what you might need to look out for as your child progresses in age/competition/politics.
 
Desert619 said:
It really depends on what you want to work on. My kids go to catalyst but if you want pure foot work skills I'm sure you can look into coaches that give privates within your club. Someone suggested Gabe. I know people who used him and were happy with him. I would give him a try for skills.
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If you go to Catalyst (TCTC) in San Diego than you have one of the best skills trainers in Alicia. She is fabulous at teaching footwork along with shooting, speed and agility.
 
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SocalSoccerMom said:
Really? That's too bad. Wonder what their plans are for the near future. Matt and Alicia are great; I can't speak for the other trainers
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Yes, I found out today. They are closing the location. They are now a coaching service. For example you can go on line and pick your state and location and they will provide you with coach options in that area. Each coach has a practice location at a local park and you pay the coach cash or check directly. You would think their prices would be less since there is no more overhead but it's actually more. Another option they are giving is on line soccer training.
 
My apologies, I thought I was the last to know. I went on your website and the changes were already there.

My comment was what I gathered from the website not the conversation. The location is closing and your coaches are available at different parks and you pay them directly. They each have a price range from $35-$60 with a scheduling fee of $5. It's a coaching service that you will expand to other states and online. Again I'm gathering this from your website. I'm sure there are more details to come but this is what's on your website. I didn't publicize anything that wasn't already there.
 
I hope the Catalyst changes work great for them. They are good people. I have had both of my kids there at various times with positive results. We will look into the new service. Having said that, I will be sad to see the old facility close.
 
Any parent or player seeking private sessions is already done. They just don't know it yet. And shame on these coaches who charge an arm and a leg to work with kids they know lack the desire to train on their own. The only kids that make it get out and train on their own. No one has to say anything to them. The rest of you are just pretending.

The truth hurts, I know.wicked1
 
Jairzinho said:
Any parent or player seeking private sessions is already done. They just don't know it yet. And shame on these coaches who charge an arm and a leg to work with kids they know lack the desire to train on their own. The only kids that make it get out and train on their own. No one has to say anything to them. The rest of you are just pretending.

The truth hurts, I know.wicked1
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Unlike when we were growing up, kids these days live a very structured life. Outside of team practice and games, they have little down time to go to the park. It's simply doesn't fit their schedule to put in endless hours to learn and perfect skills on their own. Having guided practice with a parent or a private coach is the most efficient way to improve their skills. To dismiss kids and parents who seek private training as "done" simply ignores that reality. Private training works in soccer just like in baseball, basketball, tennis and all other sports. All the top notch players that I know do private training.
 
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