Private Training with U-Olders?

[Halfskenator]

My DD will be playing U-14 next year. We are fortunate that her first-year club coach (from U-11) has been giving her free one-on-one private training once a week this summer, and I have noticed a big difference in her skills and confidence. (Although technically speaking it won't be free because little does he know we're gonna give him a nice gift card for X-mas). Unfortunately his availability will limited after this summer. Which brings me to my question. . . . The cost of privates can be high, so I was thinking about asking one of the U-17's (I know her parents) if she would be willing to do one-on-ones for a fraction of what it would cost to hire a professional. Has anyone done this? If so, how did it work out? Or should I just suck it up and take out a second mortgage? Kidding about the mortgage, but you know what I mean.

Thanks.

 

[Surfref]

My DD will be playing U-14 next year. We are fortunate that her first-year club coach (from U-11) has been giving her free one-on-one private training once a week this summer, and I have noticed a big difference in her skills and confidence. (Although technically speaking it won't be free because little does he know we're gonna give him a nice gift card for X-mas). Unfortunately his availability will limited after this summer. Which brings me to my question. . . . The cost of privates can be high, so I was thinking about asking one of the U-17's (I know her parents) if she would be willing to do one-on-ones for a fraction of what it would cost to hire a professional. Has anyone done this? If so, how did it work out? Or should I just suck it up and take out a second mortgage? Kidding about the mortgage, but you know what I mean.

Thanks.

Why don't you get a college player to do privates with your daughter? They will definitely have more experience than a U17 player and will still be cheap. My DD and one of her teammates both do private training with several U13-U15 players and they charge between $25-$30 per session (my daughter even gives a discount to kids of military members and veterans) which lasts 60-90 minutes. My DD prepares a workout plan and briefs the parent before and after the session. She also takes input from the parent and player, so she can address any areas they may have concerns. Daughter has 6-10 players per week (depending who is and isn't on vacation). Both my daughter and her teammate have US Soccer coaching license (Cal South Risk Management approved) and know what the players at different ages need to succeed. I am sure that you can find a good college player that needs some extra cash.

 

[Halfskenator]

That's a great idea! Can't believe I never thought of that.

 

[MakeAPlay]

My DD will be playing U-14 next year. We are fortunate that her first-year club coach (from U-11) has been giving her free one-on-one private training once a week this summer, and I have noticed a big difference in her skills and confidence. (Although technically speaking it won't be free because little does he know we're gonna give him a nice gift card for X-mas). Unfortunately his availability will limited after this summer. Which brings me to my question. . . . The cost of privates can be high, so I was thinking about asking one of the U-17's (I know her parents) if she would be willing to do one-on-ones for a fraction of what it would cost to hire a professional. Has anyone done this? If so, how did it work out? Or should I just suck it up and take out a second mortgage? Kidding about the mortgage, but you know what I mean.

Thanks.

I would not use a current youth player for technical training. At the end of the day a few bucks here or there won't be missed if the investment pays off. JMO.

 

[full90]

It's one thing to craft a good training which takes time, attention to detail and a good planner. It's another thing to be able to dissect the minor flaws about someone's touch. Ball striking is a fine art and the smallest detail of ankle, knee, hips etc positioning is crucial and takes a trained eye. I guess what are you paying for? A good 45-60 min training to get her blood pumping and touch the ball a ton? Great. But someone who will point out flaws of how they receive the ball, small adjustments that need to be corrected, etc? Then pay for it. Those trainers are hard to find. I've paid for both and don't need the touches and repetitions. My kid is older and plays at a decently high level (not special or a world beater, but a decent player) and it's worth it to us to get feedback on the smallest of details. Even stuff like how your body is leaning, where your first step goes, etc etc etc. I never knew how many tiny details soccer entailed. And even great trainers aren't that expensive. Just hard to find.

 

[The Driver]

I would not use a current youth player for technical training. At the end of the day a few bucks here or there won't be missed if the investment pays off. JMO.

MakeAPlay privates are fundamental sessions? What does a private session include and are they position specific?

 

[Not_that_Serious]

Make sure the older kid has technical skills. Not all kids, even at high levels have them. Some who do might not be good coaches. Some with great natural ability cant translate it to teaching. My kid does semi-private in a small group from a former professional player. He sets up the field, ton of gear, thinks about the plan and executes. Too many of these "coaches" and most kids doing private lessons toss a couple cones on the field and just go through drills. Forget them working on the mental aspect of the game. At 14+ the mental aspect is equally important as what they can do with the feet and rest of the body. It is also usually more beneficial to have a private coach who doesnt work with the club so everything isnt "great", "you are doing the best", and can evaluate you without trying to get you to do more training. I do hope you did give the coach some compensation for the weekly training - even a nice gift card. Our old rec coach use to do "just because" training sessions and the parents would pitch in and give him a couple cards. Just the decent thing to do and gets coaches/parents believing their efforts are not in vein.