From Backyard to Club Team: How One Family's Home Training Journey Changed Everything
📖 The Story Nobody Expected
When Sarah Martinez's 8-year-old son Jake got cut from his first club team tryout, she faced a choice: accept that "some kids just aren't good enough," or do something about it. With zero soccer background and a tight budget, she started training Jake in their backyard using free YouTube videos and a $20 rebounder. Eighteen months later, Jake made the same club team that had rejected him — and became a starter. This is their story, the exact training plan they used, and how you can replicate their results with your own child.
Part 1: The Beginning — When "Not Good Enough" Became the Motivation
Let's be honest about where Jake started. He wasn't the worst kid at tryouts, but he wasn't close to the best either. His first touch was inconsistent. His shooting accuracy was around 30%. He could barely juggle the ball five times. And when the tryout ended, the coach pulled Sarah aside and said the words every soccer parent dreads:
"Jake's a great kid and he works hard, but he's just not at the level we need right now. Maybe try rec soccer for another year and see how he develops."
Sarah drove home in silence while Jake cried in the backseat. That night, she made a decision: if the club wouldn't train him, she would.
The problem? Sarah had never played soccer. She didn't know a through ball from a throw-in. She couldn't afford $200/month private training sessions. And Jake's rec team only practiced once a week for 60 minutes — nowhere near enough to close the gap between him and the club players.
So she did what any determined parent in 2023 does: she Googled "how to train my kid for soccer at home."
📊 Jake's Starting Point (Age 8, Fall 2023):
- Juggling: 3-5 touches (inconsistent)
- First Touch: Ball bounced 5+ feet away from him 60% of the time
- Shooting Accuracy: 3 out of 10 shots on a full-size goal
- Dribbling Speed: Lost control after 3-4 touches at any speed above a jog
- Confidence Level: Would avoid the ball in games, afraid to make mistakes
- Game Understanding: Chased the ball, stood still without it, rarely scanned
The Research Phase: What Sarah Learned About Home Training
Sarah spent two weeks researching youth soccer development. She watched YouTube videos from professional academies. She read articles about training frequency and deliberate practice. She joined Facebook groups for soccer parents. And she discovered three critical insights that changed everything:
- Frequency beats intensity. Training 15 minutes every day produces better results than training 2 hours once a week
- Ball mastery is the foundation. Every elite player started with thousands of touches — the fancy moves come later
- You don't need to be a coach. You just need a plan, consistency, and a willingness to learn alongside your child
Armed with this knowledge, Sarah created a simple training routine: 20 minutes in the backyard, 5 days per week, focusing on the basics. No fancy drills. No expensive equipment. Just a ball, some cones from Amazon, and a parent willing to press play on training videos.
Part 2: The First 90 Days — Building the Foundation
Sarah started Jake on a structured 90-day plan focused entirely on ball mastery and first touch. She didn't worry about shooting, passing, or tactics yet. She just wanted Jake to be comfortable with the ball — something he clearly wasn't at tryouts.
Month 1: Getting Comfortable (October 2023)
Focus: Basic ball mastery, juggling, and developing a daily training habit.
The Daily Routine (Monday-Friday, 20 minutes):
| Time | Activity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 min | Juggling practice (start with hands, progress to feet) | Build touch, coordination, and confidence |
| 5-10 min | Toe taps, foundation moves, ball rolls | Get thousands of touches in short time |
| 10-15 min | Dribbling through cones at different speeds | Control the ball while moving |
| 15-20 min | Wall passes (first touch control) | Receive ball cleanly, control it close |
🎯 Month 1 Results:
- Juggling: 3 touches → 15 touches consistently
- Training streak: 22 out of 23 weekdays (Sarah made it non-negotiable)
- Attitude shift: Jake stopped complaining about training by week 3
- Touches accumulated: Estimated 15,000+ ball touches in 30 days
"The first week was brutal. Jake whined. He said it was boring. He asked why his friends didn't have to do this. But I made a rule: 20 minutes, no exceptions, no negotiations. By week three, he stopped fighting it. By week four, he was asking to go longer."
Month 2: Adding Complexity (November 2023)
Focus: 1v1 moves, change of direction, and shooting fundamentals.
By the second month, Jake's touches were cleaner. His confidence was growing. Sarah noticed he was dribbling more in rec games instead of immediately passing the ball away. It was time to add the next layer: beating defenders and finishing.
Updated Daily Routine (Monday-Friday, 25 minutes):
| Time | Activity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 min | Warm-up: Juggling + foundation touches | Maintain ball mastery base |
| 5-12 min | 1v1 moves against cones (step-over, scissors, fake shot) | Learn to beat a defender |
| 12-18 min | Dribble-turn-shoot sequences on small goal | Connect dribbling to finishing |
| 18-25 min | Shooting accuracy drill (10 shots from different angles) | Develop technique and confidence |
🎯 Month 2 Results:
- 1v1 Success: Jake successfully executed step-overs in rec games — something he'd never tried before
- Shooting Accuracy: 3/10 → 6/10 on target
- First Goal: Jake scored his first-ever goal in rec soccer using a move he'd practiced at home
- Rec Coach Feedback: "Whatever you're doing, keep doing it. Jake looks like a different player."
💡 Sarah's Biggest Lesson from Month 2:
"I realized Jake wasn't 'uncoordinated' or 'not athletic' like I'd worried. He just hadn't practiced enough. Once we put in the reps, his body figured it out. The transformation wasn't magic — it was just consistent, structured repetition."
Month 3: Game-Speed Training (December 2023)
Focus: Speed, decision-making, and replicating game situations at home.
Jake could now juggle 30+ times. His first touch was clean. He had 3-4 reliable moves. But Sarah noticed a gap: everything he did in the backyard was slow and controlled. In games, everything is fast and chaotic.
So Month 3 was about one thing: training at game speed.
Game-Speed Training Routine (Monday-Friday, 30 minutes):
| Time | Activity | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 min | Dynamic warm-up: Juggling while moving, quick feet drills | Activate fast-twitch muscles |
| 5-12 min | Speed dribbling through cones (timed runs) | Control ball at speed, not just standing still |
| 12-20 min | 1v1 move → sprint → shoot (on a timer, under pressure) | Simulate breakaway situations |
| 20-30 min | Sarah tosses ball unpredictably — Jake must control and finish quickly | Make decisions under chaos (like real games) |
🎯 Month 3 Results (End of 90 Days):
- Juggling: 50+ touches consistently, personal best of 87
- First Touch: Ball stayed within 1-2 feet on 85% of receptions
- Shooting: 7-8 out of 10 shots on target from various angles
- Speed with Ball: Dribbling speed increased by ~40% (measured via timed cone drills)
- In-Game Confidence: Jake actively sought the ball, took on defenders, scored 4 goals in final 3 rec games
"By Christmas, Jake didn't look like the same kid who got cut in September. His rec coach asked if we'd hired a private trainer. I laughed and said, 'Yeah — me.'"
🎥 Real Parent Success Story: "This Training Changed Everything"
Watch how another parent used the same training approach to transform their child's soccer development
🎧 Listen: From Rec to Club Soccer - The Inside Scoop Podcast
Neil Crawford and soccer dad Alex Garza discuss the exact transition from recreational to club soccer - the challenges, the preparation, and how home training bridges the gap. Whether you're new to club soccer or preparing for tryouts, this episode provides the roadmap Jake's family followed.
Part 3: The Club Team Tryout — 18 Months Later
After 90 days of intense backyard training, Sarah and Jake didn't stop. They scaled back slightly (15 minutes most days instead of 20-30), but they stayed consistent. Jake continued training through winter, spring, and into the next fall season.
By the time Spring 2025 club tryouts rolled around — 18 months after his initial rejection — Jake had accumulated approximately 100,000+ ball touches in structured home training.
What Changed in 18 Months:
| Skill | September 2023 (First Tryout) | March 2025 (Second Tryout) |
|---|---|---|
| Juggling | 3-5 touches | 100+ touches, various surfaces |
| First Touch | Inconsistent, ball often 5+ feet away | Clean, controlled, one-touch turns |
| Dribbling | Slow, lost ball frequently | Fast, confident, multiple moves |
| Shooting | 30% accuracy | 75% accuracy, power and placement |
| 1v1 Ability | Avoided contact, passed immediately | Attacked defenders, won 60%+ of duels |
| Confidence | Nervous, avoided ball | Demanded ball, led by example |
🏆 The Tryout Result:
Jake made the team. Not just "made it" as a bench player — he was selected as a starting midfielder on the same club's U10 team. The same coach who had cut him 18 months earlier personally called Sarah to tell her Jake "showed the most improvement of any player at tryouts" and that his technical ability was now "in the top tier."
"When the coach called, I cried. Not because Jake made the team — honestly, by that point I knew he would — but because it proved something I'd been telling Jake for 18 months: effort beats talent when talent doesn't work. Jake outworked every kid who was 'naturally better' than him. And now he's better than they are."
Part 4: The Exact Training Plan Sarah Used (Replicate These Results)
Sarah didn't invent this plan from scratch. She pieced together principles from professional academies, YouTube coaching channels, and eventually discovered Anytime Soccer Training — a platform with 5,000+ follow-along videos designed specifically for at-home development.
Here's the exact framework Sarah followed. You can start this with your child today.
Phase 1: Foundation (Weeks 1-4) — "Get Comfortable with the Ball"
Goal: Accumulate thousands of touches and eliminate fear of the ball.
Daily Routine (20 minutes, 5 days/week):
| Minutes | Drill | Focus | Video Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-5 | Juggling progression (hands → feet) | Touch, coordination, patience | 7-Day Challenge Day 1 |
| 5-10 | Foundation touches (toe taps, sole rolls, pull-backs) | Muscle memory, footwork speed | Ball Mastery Drills |
| 10-15 | Cone dribbling (slow, emphasize control) | Move with ball, change direction | Free Drills Library |
| 15-20 | Wall passes / rebounder work | First touch, receiving skills | Rebounder Training |
✅ Week 4 Checkpoint — Your Child Should Be Able To:
- Juggle 10+ times with feet
- Complete 500+ foundation touches without stopping
- Dribble through 5 cones without losing control (slow speed)
- Receive a wall pass and control ball within 2 feet
Phase 2: Skills Development (Weeks 5-8) — "Add Moves and Shooting"
Goal: Learn 3-5 reliable 1v1 moves and develop shooting technique.
Daily Routine (25 minutes, 5 days/week):
| Minutes | Drill | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 | Warm-up: Juggling + quick feet | Maintain foundation |
| 5-12 | 1v1 moves practice (step-over, scissors, Cruyff turn, fake shot) | Beat a defender |
| 12-18 | Move → turn → shoot sequences | Connect skills to finishing |
| 18-25 | Shooting accuracy (10-15 shots from various spots) | Technique, power, placement |
✅ Week 8 Checkpoint — Your Child Should Be Able To:
- Execute 3+ different 1v1 moves on command
- Juggle 25+ times consistently
- Hit target on 50%+ of shots from 12-15 yards
- Dribble → turn → shoot in under 5 seconds
Phase 3: Game Speed (Weeks 9-12) — "Train Like You Play"
Goal: Execute everything learned at game speed under pressure.
Daily Routine (30 minutes, 5 days/week):
| Minutes | Drill | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 0-5 | Dynamic warm-up (juggling while moving, ladder drills) | Speed, agility prep |
| 5-12 | Timed cone dribbling (full speed) | Control at speed |
| 12-20 | Move → burst → finish (under time pressure) | Decision speed |
| 20-30 | Chaotic ball delivery drills (parent tosses unpredictably) | React like in real games |
✅ Week 12 Checkpoint — Your Child Should Be Able To:
- Juggle 50+ times
- Execute moves at full speed without losing control
- Complete cone course 30-40% faster than Week 1
- Make quick decisions under pressure (receive → turn → pass/shoot in 2-3 seconds)
- Show visible confidence improvement in games
Phase 4: Maintenance (Month 4+) — "Stay Sharp Year-Round"
Goal: Maintain and build on progress with 3-4 sessions per week.
After the initial 90-day intensive push, Sarah scaled Jake's training back to 15-20 minutes, 3-4 days per week. This was enough to maintain his gains while avoiding burnout. She rotated focus areas each week: one week heavy on ball mastery, the next on shooting, then 1v1 moves, then game-speed work.
📅 Sample Week 16 Schedule:
- Monday: 15 min ball mastery + juggling challenge
- Tuesday: OFF (game day or rest)
- Wednesday: 20 min shooting and finishing
- Thursday: OFF
- Friday: 15 min speed dribbling + 1v1 moves
- Weekend: Games + optional free play with ball
Part 5: What Sarah Wishes She'd Known From Day One
Looking back on the 18-month journey, Sarah shared the lessons she learned the hard way — insights that could save you months of trial and error.
1. Consistency Beats Perfection Every Single Time
"I stressed so much about whether we were doing the 'right' drills or if Jake's form was perfect. Honestly? None of that mattered as much as just showing up every day. Some days Jake's training was flawless. Other days he half-assed it and complained the whole time. But we still did it. That consistency — even on the bad days — is what made the difference."
2. Make It Non-Negotiable (But Keep It Short)
Sarah treated the 20-minute training block like brushing teeth: it's just what we do, no debate. But she also kept it short enough that Jake couldn't claim he didn't have time. Twenty minutes is impossible to argue with.
🧠 The Psychology Behind Short Sessions:
Kids will fight a 60-minute training session. They won't fight 20 minutes. And 20 minutes of focused training beats 60 minutes of half-effort every time. Sarah discovered that Jake's brain stayed engaged for about 20-25 minutes max — beyond that, quality dropped off a cliff. So she kept sessions tight, intense, and purposeful.
3. Track Progress Obsessively
Every Friday, Sarah recorded Jake doing three things:
- Max juggling count
- Timed cone dribbling run
- Shooting accuracy (10 shots)
She kept a simple spreadsheet. Nothing fancy. But seeing the numbers improve week over week kept both of them motivated — especially during plateaus.
📊 Sample Progress Tracker:
| Week | Max Juggles | Cone Time (sec) | Shot Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 5 | 28 | 3/10 |
| Week 4 | 18 | 24 | 5/10 |
| Week 8 | 32 | 19 | 7/10 |
| Week 12 | 54 | 16 | 8/10 |
4. Film Everything (Especially Games)
Sarah started filming Jake's rec games on her phone. After each game, they'd watch 5 minutes of footage together — not to critique mistakes, but to spot moments where he successfully used something from training. This reinforced the connection between backyard work and game performance.
"The first time we watched Jake execute a clean step-over in a game — a move we'd practiced 200 times in the backyard — he lit up. He could see that the training was working. After that, I didn't have to convince him to train anymore. He wanted to."
5. Celebrate Small Wins Loudly
Every milestone — no matter how small — got celebrated. First time juggling 10? Ice cream. First goal using a trained move? Special dinner. Beat his cone-dribbling time? High-fives and bragging rights.
Sarah realized that kids need proof that effort pays off. The big wins (making the club team) take months. The small wins (juggling personal record) happen weekly. Celebrate both.
Part 6: More Success Stories — You're Not Alone
Jake's story isn't unique. Thousands of families have used structured home training to close the gap between where their child is and where they want to be. Here are a few more examples from the Anytime Soccer Training community:
Emma, Age 10 — From Bench Player to Team Captain
"Emma sat on the bench most of her first club season. She had the heart but not the skills. We started training at home using Anytime Soccer Training videos — 15 minutes a day, focused on first touch and dribbling. Six months later, she's starting every game and was just named team captain. Her coach said she's the most improved player he's seen in 10 years of coaching."
Carlos, Age 12 — From Cut to College Showcase Invite
"Carlos got cut from ECNL tryouts at age 11. We were devastated. But instead of quitting, we doubled down on home training. We followed the exact plan from Anytime Soccer Training for 18 months — ball mastery, 1v1 moves, speed work, everything. He made ECNL the next year. Now at 12, he just got invited to a college showcase camp. The coach who cut him last year asked what private trainer we hired. I said, 'YouTube and our backyard.'"
Sophia, Age 9 — From Scared to Confident Playmaker
"Sophia was terrified of the ball. She'd stand in the back during rec games and pray it didn't come to her. After 90 days of consistent home training, her confidence exploded. She asks for the ball now. She takes on defenders. She scored 6 goals this season. I'm not exaggerating when I say home training changed her entire relationship with soccer."
📈 Common Thread Across All Success Stories:
- Time frame: 90-180 days to see major improvement
- Training frequency: 15-25 minutes, 4-6 days per week
- Parent involvement: Low skill requirement, high consistency requirement
- Equipment cost: Under $100 (ball, cones, rebounder optional)
- Key factor: Structured plan + daily repetition = transformation
Part 7: The Equipment You Actually Need (And What You Don't)
Sarah spent less than $80 on equipment in the first 90 days. Here's exactly what worked — and what was a waste of money.
✅ Essential Equipment (Worth Every Dollar):
| Item | Cost | Why It's Essential | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality Soccer Ball (Size 4 or 5) | $20-30 | Foundation of everything — get a good one that holds air and has proper weight | Amazon Link |
| 20-Pack Training Cones | $10-15 | Dribbling courses, target markers, defender simulations | Amazon Link |
| Portable Rebounder (Optional but Recommended) | $40-60 | Practice first touch, passing, shooting without needing a partner | Amazon Link |
| Small Pop-Up Goal (6x4 feet) | $25-40 | Shooting target, finishing drills, keeps kid motivated | Amazon Link |
❌ Equipment Sarah Bought and Regretted:
- Fancy agility ladder ($30): Used it twice. Cones work just as well.
- Weighted training ball ($25): Jake hated it, never used it after week 1.
- Expensive training app subscription ($15/month): Cancelled after realizing free YouTube content and Anytime Soccer Training had everything we needed.
💰 Total Equipment Cost to Replicate Jake's Results:
Bare Minimum: $30-50 (ball + cones)
Recommended Setup: $80-120 (ball + cones + rebounder + goal)
Compare to: $200/month private training = $2,400/year
Sarah spent $100 on equipment and got better results than families spending $200/month on private sessions. The difference? Consistency, not cash.
Part 8: How to Start Today — The 7-Day Quick-Start Plan
You don't need to map out an 18-month training plan right now. You just need to start. Here's a simple 7-day plan to launch your child's home training journey this week:
Day 1: Foundation Assessment
- Test your child's current abilities: max juggles, shooting accuracy (5 shots), cone dribbling speed
- Write down the numbers — you'll want to see progress in 30 days
- Drill: Free 7-Day Challenge Day 1 (15 min)
Day 2: Ball Mastery Intro
- Focus: Toe taps, sole rolls, pull-backs
- Goal: 500 touches in 10 minutes
- Drill: 10 Ball Mastery Drills (15 min)
Day 3: Juggling Challenge
- Start with hands if needed — progress to feet
- Goal: Beat Day 1 max juggle count by at least 2
- Drill: Juggling progression + foundation touches (15 min)
Day 4: Cone Dribbling
- Set up 5 cones in a line, 3 feet apart
- Dribble through 10 times — focus on control, not speed yet
- Drill: Dribbling with both feet + turns at each cone (15 min)
Day 5: First 1v1 Move
- Teach one move: step-over or scissors
- Practice against a cone 20 times
- Drill: Move repetition + juggling warm-up (20 min)
Day 6: Shooting Basics
- Focus on technique: plant foot, strike through center of ball
- Take 15 shots on goal from 12 yards
- Drill: Shooting + first touch off wall/rebounder (20 min)
Day 7: Retest and Celebrate
- Retest juggling, dribbling speed, shooting accuracy
- Compare to Day 1 — even small improvement counts!
- Celebrate progress and commit to Week 2
🎯 By the End of Week 1, Your Child Will:
- Have completed 6 structured training sessions
- Accumulated 3,000-5,000 ball touches
- Learned at least one 1v1 move
- Improved in at least 2 out of 3 baseline tests
- Built the habit of daily training
Get the Exact Training Plan Jake Used — 100% Free
Sarah pieced together her training plan from free resources, YouTube videos, and trial-and-error over 18 months. You can skip all of that and get the structured plan in 5 minutes.
Download the Free Training Plan that includes:
- 30-day structured training plan with daily drills
- Day-by-day drills with video demonstrations
- Printable progress tracker
- Juggling progression guide
- Ball mastery routine (500+ touches in 10 minutes)
- Parent coaching tips (you don't need soccer experience!)
Part 9: Common Mistakes Parents Make (And How to Avoid Them)
Sarah made plenty of mistakes in the first few months. Here are the big ones — and how you can avoid them:
❌ Mistake 1: Starting Too Advanced
What Sarah Did Wrong: In Week 1, she tried teaching Jake rainbow flicks and advanced tricks because they looked cool on YouTube.
What Happened: Jake got frustrated, couldn't do them, felt discouraged.
The Fix: Start with the absolute basics — toe taps, juggling, clean first touch. Master the foundation before adding flair. Fancy tricks mean nothing if your kid can't control a simple pass.
❌ Mistake 2: Training Too Long
What Sarah Did Wrong: Week 2, she scheduled 45-minute training sessions because "more is better."
What Happened: Jake burned out by Day 3, quality dropped, both of them dreaded training.
The Fix: 20 minutes of focused training beats 60 minutes of half-effort. Keep it short, keep it intense, keep it consistent. Sarah found that 15-25 minutes was the sweet spot.
❌ Mistake 3: Skipping the Warm-Up
What Sarah Did Wrong: Rushed straight into drills without juggling or dynamic movement first.
What Happened: Jake's first touch was sloppy, his body wasn't ready, he pulled a muscle in Week 5.
The Fix: Always start with 3-5 minutes of juggling or dynamic touches. It warms up the body, activates the brain, and gets the first touch dialed in before harder drills.
❌ Mistake 4: No Progress Tracking
What Sarah Did Wrong: For the first month, she didn't write down any numbers or track improvement.
What Happened: Week 4 felt like a plateau. Jake asked, "Am I even getting better?" Sarah had no data to show him.
The Fix: Track 3 metrics every Friday: max juggles, timed cone run, shooting accuracy. Seeing the numbers improve weekly kept both of them motivated — especially during tough stretches.
❌ Mistake 5: Comparing to Other Kids
What Sarah Did Wrong: She'd watch other kids at Jake's rec games who were "naturally better" and feel discouraged.
What Happened: She questioned if the training was working. Doubted the process.
The Fix: Compare Jake to Jake. Is he better than he was last week? Last month? That's the only comparison that matters. Other kids had different starting points, different genetics, different support systems. Focus on your child's individual growth.
Part 10: What Happens After Your Child Makes the Team?
Making the club team wasn't the end of Jake's home training — it was the beginning of a new phase. Sarah learned that the kids who make teams and then stop training at home are the ones who get passed by the next season.
The Post-Club-Team Training Plan:
Once Jake made the team, Sarah adjusted the training approach:
| Before Club Team | After Making Club Team |
|---|---|
| 20-30 min/day, 5 days/week | 15-20 min/day, 3-4 days/week |
| Focus: Catch up to club-level players | Focus: Stay ahead, refine weaknesses |
| General skill-building (juggling, dribbling, shooting) | Position-specific work (midfielder vision, passing accuracy) |
| High intensity, proving himself | Maintenance mode, avoid burnout |
💡 Sarah's Philosophy on Post-Team Training:
"The home training didn't stop when Jake made the team — it just became less intense. We went from 5 days/week to 3-4 days. From 25 minutes to 15 minutes. But we never stopped completely. The kids who rely 100% on team practice are the ones who plateau. The kids who supplement team practice with home work are the ones who keep improving."
Long-Term Results (2 Years After Starting):
As of Spring 2026 — 2.5 years after that first rejected tryout — here's where Jake is:
- ✅ Starting midfielder on U11 club team
- ✅ Invited to regional ODP (Olympic Development Program) pool
- ✅ Juggling record: 247 touches
- ✅ Team's leading assist provider (9 assists in 12 games this season)
- ✅ Recognized by multiple coaches as "most improved player in the age group"
- ✅ Still training at home 3x/week — now it's just part of his routine
"People ask me if I regret the time I spent training Jake at home. Are you kidding? Those 20 minutes a day were the best investment I ever made. Not just for his soccer career — though that's been incredible — but for teaching him that hard work changes outcomes. He learned that he's not stuck being 'not good enough.' He learned that effort compounds. He learned that he controls his own development. That lesson is worth way more than making a club team."
Final Thoughts: Your Child's Journey Starts Today
Jake's story isn't special because he was naturally gifted — he wasn't. It's special because Sarah refused to accept "not good enough" as a permanent label. She took control of her child's development when the system didn't offer a clear path forward.
And here's the truth: your child doesn't need to get cut from a club team to benefit from home training. Even if they're already on a team, home training is what separates the starters from the bench players. The recruited from the forgotten. The confident from the timid.
🎯 The Bottom Line:
20 minutes a day. 5 days a week. 90 days.
That's all it took to completely transform Jake's soccer ability. Not 5 hours a week at expensive private training. Not elite genetics. Not luck. Just consistent, structured, daily repetition of the fundamentals.
You can start today. Your child can be the next success story.
Give Your Child the Same Training Jake Used
Sarah spent months piecing together training videos, drills, and routines from dozens of sources. You don't have to. Anytime Soccer Training has everything in one place — the exact training system that produced Jake's transformation and thousands of others like it.
What you get:
- 5,000+ follow-along training videos (just hit play and train)
- Structured 90-day training plans for every age group (U6-U18)
- Ball mastery, dribbling, shooting, passing, 1v1 moves — everything Jake trained
- Progress tracking and leaderboards to keep your child motivated
- Coach homework assignment system (perfect for teams)
- Works on any device — backyard, garage, living room
No coaching background required. Just press play and follow along.
View Pricing & Start Free Trial Get FREE 7-Day Challenge Browse Free Training Library Calculate Your Training ROI Get the Must-Have Parent GuideRelated Resources for Soccer Parents
📚 More Training Guides & Success Stories
- Soccer Development Milestones by Age — Know exactly what your child should be working on at every stage
- 10 Ball Mastery Drills in 10 Minutes — The foundation drills Jake used every single day
- FREE 7-Day Ball Mastery Challenge — Start training today with a proven week-by-week plan
- 5 Best Soccer Rebounders for Home Training — The exact equipment Sarah used
- Complete Guide to U.S. Youth Soccer Structure — Understand the path from rec to pro
- College Soccer Recruiting: Complete 2026 Guide — Plan ahead for the next level
- All Training Tips & Success Stories — Browse the full library
About the Author: Neil Crawford is the founder of Anytime Soccer Training and host of The Inside Scoop podcast. As a soccer parent who personally trained his sons from recreational soccer to elite levels — one now at Charlotte FC Academy and the other in ECNL — Neil has lived the exact journey described in this article. He created Anytime Soccer Training so any parent can help their child develop world-class soccer skills at home, regardless of coaching background or budget. His mission: prove that consistent home training beats expensive private sessions every single time.
