For many soccer players, knowing how much to train on your own is one of the biggest questions, and without a clear answer, it’s easy to overtrain, undertrain, or train without a plan.

The truth is, there is no single answer that works for everyone, because how much you should train on your own depends on several factors, such as your current training routines, goals, and playing level. What works for one player may not work for another, which is why it’s important to understand the key factors that determine how much individual training a player should do during the week.

No matter your level or position, playing games and training with a team should always be the foundation of your development. Individual training is meant to supplement, not replace team training, and when used correctly, it can help you improve specific areas of your game, get extra repetitions, and develop the consistency needed to reach your goals.

In this post, I’ll go over 5 key factors to help you figure out exactly how much you should be training on your own as a soccer player, so you can make smarter decisions about your training and recovery routines to see real improvement over time.

If you’re interested in taking your training to the next level with a structured program, you can reach out to me or learn more here.

How Much Should I Train On My Own For Soccer?

The amount of individual training players should do each week is not a one-size-fits-all answer, as it depends on several factors unique to your situation, goals, and current level. Before deciding how much to train on your own, it’s important to understand the 5 key factors below to make the best decision for your development, as well as the key pillars of player development: talent, game IQ, mindset, athleticism, fitness, recovery, and discipline.

Your Experience Level

The amount of time you should train on your own depends mostly on where you are in your soccer journey, because a beginner has very different needs compared to an experienced player. If you are just starting out, shorter and more frequent sessions focused on the fundamentals will be more beneficial than long, intense workouts that can feel overwhelming and lead to burnout.

As you gain more experience and your foundation strengthens, you can gradually increase the length and intensity of your individual training sessions to match your growing skill level.

Your Goals as a Player

Your goals as a player are one of the most important factors in determining how much you should train on your own, because a player who wants to make a competitive team has very different training demands than someone who plays recreationally for fun. The clearer your goals are, the easier it becomes to decide how much individual training you need and what to focus on during each session.

If your goals are serious and long-term, you will most likely do more individual training sessions than someone who plays more casually and once in a while.

Your Current Training Schedule

Before adding more individual training to your week, it is important to look at how much you are already doing with your team, because the more team training and games you have, the less individual training you will need to add. If you are already training with a team two to four times a week and playing games on weekends, one to two focused individual training sessions can be more than enough.

Always build your individual training around your team schedule, not the other way around, because team training and games will always have the biggest impact on your overall development.

Your Time Available and Ability to Stay Consistent

How much time you realistically have each week is one of the most practical factors to consider, because the best training plan is one that you can actually stick to consistently. If you only have 20 to 30 minutes a few times a week, that is completely fine, because a short and focused session done regularly will always produce better results than a long session you can only do once in a while.

The key is to build a routine around the time you have available, keep your sessions simple and purposeful, and show up consistently over time, because consistency over a long period of time is what separates players who see real improvement from those who stay at the same level.

Your Physical Conditioning and Recovery

Your current physical condition and fitness level play a big role in how much individual training you should be doing, because pushing too hard when your body isn’t ready can lead to injury, fatigue, and setbacks that slow down your progress. If you are still building your base fitness, it is better to start with shorter, less intense sessions and gradually increase the workload as your body adapts and gets stronger.

Recovery is just as important as the training itself, which means prioritizing sleep, nutrition, hydration, EMF protection, and rest days so that your body can handle the demands of consistent training and perform at its best week in and week out. As a soccer player, it is okay to have 1-2 full rest days per week, depending on the training intensity of the rest of the week.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to stay consistent with mindset training in soccer?

The best way to stay consistent with mindset training in soccer is to use simple habits like journaling, visualization, and positive self-talk regularly. Players can also use tools such as a soccer training journal, a performance tracker, a mental training book, and other mental training tools to help structure, make more consistent, and make their mindset more measurable.

What gear and equipment do I need to improve my soccer skills?

The best thing about soccer is that you don’t need much equipment or accessories to start playing and improving. All you really need is a soccer ball, but the more serious you want to play, the more gear you will need, such as soccer cleats, shin guards, grip socks, shorts, and shirts, and soccer equipment, such as cones ,rebounders, ball pumps, soccer bags, etc.

How do I improve my soccer skills?

To improve your soccer skills, focus on playing the game and its variations as much as possible while dedicating time to mastering fundamental skills such as ball control, passing, shooting, dribbling, and defending. Combine regular team training with solo soccer drills, small-sided games, and learning from the feedback of coaches, teammates, and professional matches to speed up your progress, and follow this guide to have a more comprehensive plan.