April 14, 2026
One on one soccer coaching is the fastest way to sharpen your child’s skills, build their confidence, and help them stand out on the field.
If you’re a parent in Charleston or Mount Pleasant looking for a private soccer coach, here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to know:
Here’s the truth: club team practices are valuable, but they can’t give every player the individual attention they need. With 15 or more kids on the pitch, your child might go an entire session with only a handful of meaningful touches on the ball.
Private coaching changes that completely.
Research backs this up too. A 2022 study of youth soccer players found roughly a 15% increase in skill proficiency for every additional 10 hours of focused training. According to data from the Aspen Institute, this kind of progress doesn’t happen by accident — it happens with intentional, personalized repetition.
And it’s not just data. Players like Carli Lloyd and Christian Pulisic are famous examples of athletes who used intensive one-on-one coaching to leap ahead of their peers and reach the highest levels of the game.
Whether your child is just starting out and needs a fun, encouraging introduction to the game, or they’re a competitive player grinding toward the A-team — private coaching gives them the edge that team practice simply can’t.
When we talk about one on one soccer coaching, we are talking about a total shift in how a player experiences the game. In a standard team environment, coaches have to focus on the collective. They are worried about team shape, set pieces, and game strategy. While those are important, individual technical development often takes a backseat.
In a private session, the player is the sun and everything else revolves around them. We provide immediate feedback on every single touch. If a player’s ankle isn’t locked during a pass, we catch it instantly. If their body weight is too far back on a shot, we correct it before it becomes a bad habit. This level of personalized attention is simply impossible in a group of twenty kids.
In an average team practice, a player might touch the ball 200 times. In a high-intensity private session, that number can easily climb to 800 or 1,000. These “quality repetitions” are the building blocks of muscle memory. We focus on an Individual Development Plan (IDP) that tracks progress and sets clear goals. This scientific approach to youth performance ensures that learning is accelerated, not just accidental.
The soccer culture here in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and Summerville is vibrant and competitive. Whether your child plays for local clubs or just enjoys kicking the ball around at James Island County Park, the pressure to perform can sometimes zap the fun out of the game. Our goal is to use one on one soccer coaching to build a “SWAG Mindset”—a sense of quiet confidence that comes from knowing your fundamentals are rock solid. When a player knows they can control any ball that comes their way, they stop playing with fear and start playing with joy.
According to an Aspen Institute parent survey, about 15% of parents now invest in one-on-one instruction to give their kids a competitive edge. This isn’t just about making the “A” team; it’s about supplemental training that fills the gaps left by traditional team practices. Team coaches often overlook individual weaknesses because they don’t have the time to fix a “weak foot” or refine a specific dribbling move for one player. We take those weaknesses and turn them into strengths.
Learn more about our training philosophy
Every great player had a mentor. Take Carli Lloyd, for example. She was once cut from youth teams and almost gave up on the sport. It was only through years of intense, individualized training with a dedicated coach that she transformed into a World Cup hero. Similarly, Christian Pulisic’s rapid rise to the Bundesliga at age 17 was fueled by a commitment to individualized instruction alongside his team play. These pros prove that while talent is a start, personalized coaching is the engine that drives a player to the top.
What exactly happens during a 60-minute session of one on one soccer coaching? We don’t just “scrimmage.” Every minute is planned to maximize development across technical, tactical, and physical pillars.
| Feature | Technical Focus (The “How”) | Tactical Focus (The “When/Where”) |
|---|---|---|
| Dribbling | Ball mastery, using all surfaces of the foot | When to take a player on vs. when to pass |
| Passing | Weight of pass, accuracy, disguised passes | Finding the “passing lanes” and scanning |
| Shooting | Striking technique, follow-through, volleys | Positioning to receive the ball in the box |
| First Touch | Cushioning the ball, directional touches | Taking the touch away from pressure |
We believe that you can’t build a great house on a shaky foundation. That’s why we obsess over the basics:
More info about skill development
As players get older (U12 and up), their needs become more specific. We tailor sessions to the player’s role on the pitch:
Choosing the right coach is about more than just finding someone with a whistle and a bag of balls. You need someone who understands the modern game and, more importantly, understands your child.
At Olly on the Ball, our key differentiator is authenticity. Oliver “Olly” Sovenyhazy isn’t a distant, authoritative adult. He is a 16-year-old competitive player and Charleston Battery volunteer who is actively living the game right now. This peer-to-peer connection is powerful. Young players (ages 5-14) often respond better to a mentor who “speaks their language” and can demonstrate skills at a high level right in front of them.
We don’t just tell you how to do a “Maradona” or a “Step-over”—we show you, and then we help you master it. This relatability inspires both skill and confidence because the players see someone just a few years older than them succeeding with the same techniques.
We are hyper-local. We aren’t a national franchise or a generic app. We are part of the Charleston and Mount Pleasant community. We know the local clubs—from Charleston Soccer Club to Mount Pleasant South Carolina (MPSC) and beyond. We know the fields at Patriots Point, the Isle of Palms, and Daniel Island.
Because we are local, we can bring the training to you. Whether it’s a neighborhood park in Summerville or a backyard in James Island, we make one on one soccer coaching convenient for busy Lowcountry families. We understand the local schedules, the tryout seasons, and the specific challenges our young players face in this region.
We want to make high-quality training accessible. While some platforms charge astronomical fees, we focus on providing local value.
Our sessions typically run for 60 minutes. This is the “sweet spot” for maintaining high intensity without causing mental or physical burnout in younger players. We offer scheduling flexibility to fit around your club practices and school commitments. Whether you want a one-off session to prep for a big game or a recurring weekly slot to build long-term habits, we work with you.
When you book with us, we bring the expertise and the equipment.
Think of private coaching as an investment in your child’s self-esteem. Yes, it improves their soccer skills, but the “hidden” benefit is the boost in confidence. When a child realizes that hard work and focused practice lead to visible improvement, that lesson stays with them far beyond the soccer pitch. The value of the extra repetitions and the mentorship from a peer like Olly provides a foundation for growth that team practice alone cannot match.
More info about getting started
Players should come ready to play! This means cleats, shin guards, and a water bottle (especially in the Charleston humidity!). If the player has a favorite ball, they are welcome to bring it, but we provide all the necessary training equipment.
For most developing players, one session per week is ideal as a supplement to their regular team practices. This allows them to work on their individual “homework” between sessions without becoming overwhelmed. For players preparing for tryouts or moving up to a higher competitive level, two sessions a week can help accelerate progress.
Absolutely. Tryouts are often won or lost on confidence and “game awareness.” We focus on the specific skills coaches look for during tryouts: a clean first touch, the ability to play with both feet, and a high work rate. More importantly, we help players get into the right headspace so they can perform their best under pressure.
At Olly on the Ball, we believe every child has the potential to be a great soccer player—they just need the right guidance and a positive environment to grow. By focusing on fundamental skills, building confidence, and fostering a genuine love for the game, we help Charleston’s youth players reach their greatest potential.
Whether you are in Mount Pleasant, Isle of Palms, or North Charleston, our one on one soccer coaching is designed to give your child the “extra edge” they need to succeed. Don’t let your child get lost in the crowd of team practice. Give them the gift of personalized mentorship and watch their game—and their confidence—soar.
Ready to take the next step? Let’s get to work.
