⚽︎ Why Private Soccer Coaches Must Stop Charging by the Hour
If you're a private soccer coach, you probably started your business with the same mindset as most other coaches:
Charge by the hour.
It feels simple. It feels fair. It feels like the “normal” thing to do.
But here’s the truth almost no one tells you:
Charging by the hour is the #1 thing keeping private soccer coaches broke, exhausted, and unable to scale.
In this article, I’m going to break down exactly why hourly pricing is hurting your business—and what to do instead if you want to grow from side-hustle income to predictable, scalable revenue.
Hourly Pricing Caps Your Growth—Hard
When you charge per hour, your income is chained to your calendar.
You only get paid when you’re physically coaching. That means:
Your max income = your max availability
If you get sick, you don’t earn
If a client cancels, you lose money
You can only coach so many hours per day before burnout hits
Hourly pricing has a hard ceiling, no matter how skilled you are.
You don’t run a business—you run a schedule.
You Get Treated Like a Commodity
Parents shop for hourly coaches the same way they shop for cheap lawn services:
“How much do you charge?”
“Can we do less time?”
“Why is that coach $20 cheaper?”
When your pricing is based on time, you’re no longer being valued for your expertise, results, or coaching method—only the length of your session.
And commodities are easy to replace.
Your Clients Don’t Actually Want an Hour of Your Time
This is the biggest mindset shift:
No one buys coaching. They buy transformation.
Parents and athletes don’t actually want to pay for 60 minutes with you.
They want:
More playing time
College exposure
Technical improvement
Confidence
Skill acceleration
A competitive advantage
Those are outcomes—not hours.
So why charge for hours?
Hourly Sessions Don’t Create Real Commitment
Hourly pricing leads to low commitment because it feels transactional.
You’ve probably dealt with this:
Clients canceling last minute
Showing up inconsistently
Treating training as optional
Not doing between-session work
Complaining about cost
But when clients invest in a program, not a session, they commit differently.
That commitment leads to better results…
Which leads to better testimonials…
Which leads to more referrals…
Which leads to higher demand and higher revenue.
Hourly training kills that cycle before it even starts.
The Real Solution: Sell Training Programs, Not Hours
If you want to grow your coaching business beyond survival mode, you must transition from being a “session seller” to being a results-driven program provider.
Here’s what this looks like:
Instead of:
“$60 per hour session.”
You offer:
A 12-week minimum development program that includes:
Weekly or twice-weekly training
Technical and tactical development plans
Progress tracking
Homework drills
Player evaluations
Video analysis
Support + guidance outside sessions
A defined transformation
This shifts you from hourly laborer → expert provider.
And parents LOVE this model because:
They understand the outcome
They see the value
They feel the structure
They commit longer
They get better results
The Best Part? Your Revenue Becomes Predictable
When you sell programs, you get paid up-front or on recurring monthly plans.
Instead of chasing random sessions, you have:
Predictable cash flow
Long-term students
Higher retention
Higher earnings for the same (or less!) time
It’s how coaches go from $2–3k/month to $8–15k/month without burning out.
Ready to Make the Switch? Join My Accelerator Program
If you’re a private soccer coach who wants to:
✔ Stop trading hours for dollars
✔ Charge premium rates confidently
✔ Build programs parents want to buy
✔ Learn how to get consistent clients
✔ Scale your coaching business to real income
✔ Create systems that grow your business even when you're not on the field
Then it’s time to join my Soccer Trainer Business Accelerator.
Inside the accelerator, you’ll get:
Step-by-step training on building profitable coaching programs
Templates for pricing, messaging, and onboarding
Marketing frameworks specifically for private soccer coaches
Sales scripts proven to close parents without pressure
Support from a community of coaches scaling together
1:1 coaching to help you implement fast
If you’re serious about turning coaching into a real business—not just an hourly hustle—then this is where it happens.
👉 Apply now and start growing the coaching business you deserve.
⚽︎ Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a Soccer Coaching Business in the USA
The sports coaching industry in the United States has exploded over the last decade—driven by youth sports, private training, and high-performance development programs. Whether you're a former athlete, certified trainer, or passionate coach ready to build a business around your expertise, this is one of the most financially promising and personally fulfilling industries you can enter.
But passion alone isn’t enough. To build a legitimate, profitable, and scalable coaching business, you need the right legal foundation, systems, and marketing strategy.
This guide walks you through every step of setting up a sports coaching business in the USA—from choosing your niche to getting clients.
⚽︎ Choose Your Coaching Niche
A well-defined niche helps you stand out and attract the right clients. Popular niches include:
Youth sports coaching
Private 1:1 skill development
Strength & conditioning
Speed and agility training
College prep athlete development
Sports performance for all ages
Sports-specific camps and clinics
Ask:
✔ Who can I help best?
✔ What skills do I specialize in?
✔ What age groups do I enjoy working with?
⚽︎ Create a Legal Business Structure
To protect yourself and operate professionally, you’ll need a proper business structure. The most common options:
LLC (Most Recommended)
Benefits:
Limits liability
Easier taxes compared to corporations
Seen as credible by parents, schools, and athletes
Sole Proprietorship
Simple to start—but offers no liability protection.
⚽︎ Get Proper Certifications (Optional but Valuable)
Certifications increase credibility and make parents feel safer hiring you.
Popular options:
NASM PES (Performance Enhancement Specialist)
NSCA CSCS Certification
USA Soccer Coaching Licenses
CPR + First Aid Certification (HIGHLY recommended)
⚽︎ Obtain Insurance
Sports coaching involves physical activity and potential injuries. Protect yourself with:
General Liability Insurance
Covers injuries, accidents, property damage.
Professional Liability Insurance
Covers coaching advice, training instructions, or claims of negligence.
Equipment or Facility Insurance (if renting/owning a space)
Most policies cost $150–$350 per year, depending on coverage.
⚽︎ Decide Where You Will Coach
You can run your coaching sessions:
At local athletic fields
In rented gym/training facilities
At schools and clubs
At clients’ homes or community parks
In your own facility (later growth stage)
Start simple and scale.
⚽︎ Build Your Brand
A recognizable brand helps you stand out. Focus on:
Business name
Logo and colors
Website (with booking and payment options)
Professional email address
Social media presence (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube)
Your brand should communicate:
Who you help
Your coaching philosophy
Your results
⚽︎ Set Pricing for Your Services
Your pricing should reflect your experience, market, and niche.
Typical US sports coaching rates:
Private 1:1 sessions: $40–$150/hour
Small group training: $20–$40 per athlete
Camps/clinics: $99–$499 per attendee
Seasonal programs: $200–$800 per athlete
Pro Tip:
Offer packages—not single sessions—to increase long-term income.
⚽︎ Build Your Client Funnel
You can get clients through:
Local Marketing
Youth soccer leagues
Schools and clubs
Community centers
Parent groups and Facebook groups
Online Marketing
Social media reels (skill drills, athlete spotlights)
Google Business Profile
Paid ads (optional)
Email newsletter
Online booking system
Word of Mouth
The #1 source for youth sports coaching leads.
Deliver results → parents share → demand increases.
⚽︎ Create Your Coaching Systems
To run like a real business:
Waivers and contracts
Payment automation
Session plans
Athlete progress tracking
Scheduling tools
Onboarding scripts
Safety protocols
Systems make you look professional, even if you're just starting out.
⚽︎ Launch Your Coaching Business
Your launch can be simple:
✔ Announce on social media
✔ Run a “Founding Athlete Special”
✔ Offer free 20-minute assessment sessions
✔ Partner with local teams
✔ Ask parents for testimonials early
Momentum is everything. Once you start, referrals will build quickly.
⚽︎ Ready to Launch Your Coaching Business? Get a Free 15-Minute Setup Call
If you want help choosing your niche, setting up your LLC, pricing your services, building your brand, or getting your first clients…
📞 Book a FREE 15-minute Sports Coaching Business Setup Call.
I’ll walk you through the exact steps tailored to your sport, your city, and your goals.