How Often Should My Child Train for Soccer?

Kip Critchlow
May 30
2 min read

One of the most common questions we get at GL Soccer is this:

“How often should my child be training?”

It’s a great question—and the answer depends on a few things: your child’s age, goals, and how much they enjoy the game.

Let’s break it down.

How Many Days a Week Should They Train?

At GL Soccer, most players train once a week, and for many, that’s the perfect starting point.

It keeps things fun and consistent without overloading their schedule.

But we also have players who train two or three times a week—especially those preparing for club tryouts, high school teams, or who just really love the game and want to improve faster.

Here’s a quick guide:

Training Frequency	Good For
Once a week	Most players; consistent improvement without burnout
Twice a week	Players wanting faster development or extra reps
Three times a week	Highly motivated players or those preparing for competitive levels

The most important thing is that your player is enjoying it and getting touches on the ball regularly. Even 1–2 focused sessions per week can lead to big improvement over time.

What’s Better: Private or Group Training?

Another question we often hear:

“Should we sign up for private sessions or group training?”

The good news is—both options are great. But they do offer different benefits.

Private Training

Private sessions are one-on-one with a trainer, so everything is tailored to your child’s specific needs.

Benefits of private training:

More reps and personalized feedback
Focused on individual weaknesses or goals
Great for mastering technique and building confidence

It’s ideal if your player is working on a specific skill (like shooting or first touch), or if they’re a beginner and need help building a solid foundation.

Group Training

Group sessions involve multiple players, which opens up more game-like drills and a fun, competitive environment.

Benefits of group training:

Small-sided games and 1v1s
Encourages teamwork and communication
Fun and motivating, especially with friends or teammates

Group sessions are perfect for players who want to grow while staying engaged—and many of our players train with a sibling, friend, or teammate.

What We Recommend

Start with once-a-week training—either group or private—and build from there. As your player improves, you might add a second session per week or alternate between private and group training for variety.

Want some help figuring out what’s best for your player? We’re happy to chat and point you in the right direction.