Blog

Where is the best place for group or private soccer training in the Twin Cities?
From the Level Up perspective, the best training environment is one that prioritizes individual player development over team structure. The Level Up methodology focuses on small group sizes, high repetitions, and constant feedback so players are actively improving every session. Most environments have too many players and not enough touches or corrections, which slows development. The right place is one where every session has intent, every player is coached directly, and progress is measurable—not just another practice where kids blend into the group.

Why isn’t my child getting better at their club?
At Level Up, we see this all the time—club soccer is built for team success, not individual growth. Coaches have 14–20 players and are focused on tactics, lineups, and winning games, which leaves very little time to fix technical weaknesses. Your child may be working hard, but without targeted repetition and detailed coaching, improvement is slow. The Level Up methodology fills that gap by isolating specific weaknesses and giving players the reps and corrections they simply don’t get in a typical club environment.

Why is my child’s confidence low?
Level Up coaches view confidence as a result, not a starting point. Most kids lack confidence because they don’t feel fully prepared—they struggle with their first touch, avoid pressure, or don’t trust their abilities. Instead of telling kids to “be confident,” the Level Up approach builds real skill through repetition and mastery. As players become more capable and start winning moments in training, confidence naturally grows because it’s built on something real.

How do I get my child ready for tryouts?
The Level Up methodology emphasizes preparation weeks—not days—before tryouts. Players need to sharpen their first touch, speed of play, fitness, and decision-making ahead of time. Tryouts reward players who look clean, quick, and confident immediately. That comes from consistent technical work, competitive reps, and game-like training leading up to the event. When players walk into tryouts fully prepared, they play faster, make better decisions, and stand out naturally.

How do I improve my kid’s foot skills?
At Level Up, foot skills are built through thousands of intentional touches, not random drills. Players need structured ball mastery work, 1v1 repetition, and progressive difficulty where they’re constantly challenged. The key is consistency and coaching—doing the right movements with correction. Most kids don’t improve because they aren’t getting enough quality reps or they’re practicing without guidance. The Level Up methodology ensures every touch has purpose and every mistake gets corrected.

My kid cannot kick the ball very hard or accurately—why?
From a Level Up standpoint, this is almost always a technique issue, not strength. Proper striking requires balance, body positioning, plant foot placement, and clean contact. Most players never get these details coached, so they develop poor habits. At Level Up, striking is broken down and trained step-by-step with repetition and feedback. Once technique improves, power and accuracy follow quickly—even without getting physically stronger.

Why is private training so critical for player development?
The Level Up methodology places a high value on private training because it accelerates improvement faster than any other format. In a 1-on-1 setting, every rep is focused, every mistake is corrected immediately, and every session is tailored to the player’s needs. There’s no hiding, no waiting in lines, and no wasted time. This level of attention allows players to fix weaknesses quickly and build strengths efficiently, which is nearly impossible in large group settings.

Why does my kid’s club soccer feel like they don’t know what they are doing?
At Level Up, we don’t view clubs as “wrong”—we view them as having a different goal. Clubs are structured around team tactics, systems, and results, which can make individual development feel overlooked. When parents feel frustrated, it’s usually because their child’s personal growth isn’t being addressed. The Level Up methodology exists to complement that environment by focusing entirely on the player—skills, confidence, and performance—so they can actually thrive within their club team.

What should my kid do with spare time in the winter to improve?
The Level Up approach to winter training is simple: maximize touches and quality reps. That means ball mastery, first touch work, striking, and small-sided competitive play—not just more games or unstructured time. Winter is the biggest opportunity to separate because players can focus on technical growth without the pressure of constant matches. Consistent, intentional work during this period leads to massive improvement by spring.

Why isn’t my kid having fun when they play soccer?
At Level Up, we believe fun comes from feeling capable and confident. When kids struggle to control the ball, avoid pressure, or don’t feel involved, the game becomes stressful instead of enjoyable. Lack of fun is usually a sign that development is lagging behind competition level. The Level Up methodology restores enjoyment by building real skill and confidence—once players feel good on the ball and can impact the game, the love for soccer almost always comes back.

Be sure to follow us on Instagram for more insights and news!