⚽︎ 5 Mistakes Private Soccer Coaches Make When Finding Clients
Starting or growing a football (soccer) coaching business is exciting—but finding clients can be tougher than expected. Many talented private coaches struggle to build a steady flow of clients because they unknowingly make avoidable mistakes. The good news? With the right approach, you can attract the right athletes and grow your coaching business faster.
Here are the five most common mistakes private football (soccer) coaches make when trying to find clients—and what you should do instead.
Relying Only on Word of Mouth
Word of mouth is powerful, but if it’s your only strategy, growth will be slow. Many coaches assume that satisfied clients will automatically spread the word, but without consistent outreach, your client pipeline will dry up.
What to do instead: Create a simple marketing system—whether it’s posting on social media, running free clinics, or networking with local youth clubs. This keeps your name in front of potential clients year-round.
Underestimating the Importance of Online Presence
In today’s world, parents and athletes will Google you before they commit. If you don’t have a professional website, social media presence, or online reviews, you may lose clients to another coach who does.
What to do instead: Build a simple website with your services, testimonials, and a way to contact you. Use social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok to share training tips and success stories.
Not Defining a Target Audience
A common mistake is saying “I coach everyone.” While that sounds inclusive, it makes it hard to market effectively. Coaching a 7-year-old beginner is very different from preparing a 17-year-old for college recruitment.
What to do instead: Decide who you serve best—youth beginners, competitive players, or advanced athletes. Tailor your messaging, packages, and training programs to that group so your value is clear.
Undervaluing Their Services
Many coaches set prices too low out of fear of losing clients. Unfortunately, this often backfires—parents may assume “cheap” means low quality. On top of that, undervaluing your time leads to burnout.
What to do instead: Research what local coaches charge and price your services competitively. Position yourself as a professional who delivers results, not just a “side hustle.” Clients who value quality won’t mind paying more.
Ignoring Relationship Building
Some coaches focus only on training sessions and forget that strong client relationships drive retention and referrals. Parents and players want to feel connected to the coach, not just trained by them.
What to do instead: Communicate regularly with parents, celebrate player milestones, and follow up after sessions. A personal touch keeps clients loyal and encourages referrals.
Becoming a successful private football (soccer) coach isn’t just about drills and tactics—it’s also about running your coaching like a business. By avoiding these five mistakes, you’ll position yourself as a trusted, professional coach and attract more of the right clients.
Remember: the best coaches don’t just train players—they build relationships, market themselves smartly, and treat their coaching like the valuable service it is.
Ready to Grow Your Coaching Business? ⚽
If you’re serious about building a steady stream of clients and taking your coaching business to the next level, don’t wait.
👉 Book a free strategy call to learn how to attract more players, increase your income, and make coaching your full-time career.