⚽︎ Can Private Soccer Coaching Be a Viable Source of Income?
If you’ve ever considered turning your passion for soccer into a source of income, you’re not alone. With youth soccer participation growing and parents increasingly willing to invest in personalized training for their kids, private soccer coaching has become one of the fastest-growing niches in youth sports.
But the big question remains:
Can private soccer coaching actually be a viable — and sustainable — source of income?
Short answer: Absolutely — if you structure it the right way.
In this article, I’ll break down earning potential, what you need to get started, how much coaches typically charge, and strategies to turn coaching from a side gig into a full-time living.
⚽︎ Why the Demand for Private Soccer Coaching Is Rising
Parents and players are seeking more individualized training than what they get from club or school teams.
Key reasons include:
Team practices are crowded — players don’t always get personalized feedback.
Competition is increasing — academies, college recruiting, and travel teams push players to seek more development.
Parents value expert instruction — and are willing to pay for it.
Players want an edge — 1:1 coaching accelerates skill growth faster.
This means private coaching fills a gap that team training simply can’t.
⚽︎ How Much Money Do Private Soccer Coaches Make?
Earnings depend on location, credentials, and volume — but the numbers may surprise you.
Average Hourly Rates
Newer coaches: $30–$50/hr
Experienced/credentialed coaches: $60–$100/hr
Specialists (keeper trainers, ex-pros, advanced licensing): $100–$150+/hr
Some coaches build scalable income through:
Small-group training
Camps and clinics
Digital training programs
Membership-based academies
Sample Earning Breakdown
If you charge $60/hr and train:
10 players/week → $600/week → ~$2,400/month
20 players/week → $1,200/week → ~$4,800/month
Group sessions at $20–$30/player with 6–8 players can easily outperform 1:1 sessions.
Yes — coaching can absolutely become a full-time income.
⚽︎ What You Need to Get Started
You don’t need to have been an ex pro or have any elite licenses to begin. Most successful private coaches start with:
Solid soccer knowledge
Experience playing or coaching is enough to get started.
A structured training plan
Parents pay for professionalism, progression, and results.
A safe training space
Public fields, parks, indoor turf rentals, or private facilities.
Basic training equipment
Cones, balls, ladder, mini-goals — around $150–$300 to start.
Liability insurance
Highly recommended (typically $200–$300/year).
A simple way for clients to book sessions
Calendars, scheduling apps, or even a basic website.
That’s it — surprisingly low startup requirements for a high-earning side business.
⚽︎ How to Build a Profitable Private Soccer Coaching Business
Here’s where most private soccer coaches get stuck — not in the coaching itself, but in building a business around their own coaching.
Start with your immediate network
Tell local parents, friends, past teammates, and other coaches. Your first 3–5 clients will almost always come from people who already know you or who you have spoken to.
Build social proof
Post:
Training clips
Before/after skill comparisons
Player success stories
Parents will trust visible results.
Use small-group soccer training to scale
Group soccer sessions helps you to increase your hourly income and make your training more affordable for families.
Example:
8 players × $25/player = $200/hour
That’s how full-time income becomes achievable.
Offer packages instead of single sessions
Packages increase commitment and revenue consistency.
Examples:
4-session package
8-session package
Monthly membership
Specialize if possible
Stand out by focusing on:
Striker training
Goalkeeper development
Speed & agility
First touch mastery
College-prep mentoring
Specialists charge more and attract more serious players.
⚽︎ Is Private Soccer Coaching a Sustainable Career Long-Term?
Yes — but sustainability comes from diversification.
Successful long-term private soccer coaches often add:
Seasonal camps
Holiday clinics
Online programs
Strength & conditioning add-ons
Partnerships with clubs
Branded training merch
Mini-academies with multiple coaches
Private soccer coaching can start as a $40/hour side hustle — and scale into a fully developed business with recurring revenue.
⚽︎ Is Private Soccer Coaching a Viable Source of Income?
Yes. Very much so.
Whether you’re looking for:
A flexible side hustle
Supplemental income
A full-time coaching career
A scalable training academy
Private soccer coaching can deliver — as long as you approach it strategically.
⚽︎ Ready to turn your passion for coaching into a profitable, fully booked business?
Join my Make Money Coaching Soccer Program — the only step-by-step system that helps private soccer coaches attract more clients, raise their fees, and build a brand that stands out in a crowded market.