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Aaron J., Berkeley, CA Soccer Coach

Aaron J.

Soccer

GOLD
76 reviews

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I'm a former professional with playing experience in Europe and California. I've coached soccer for 16 years and I have extensive knowledge of technical and athletic development. View all coaching experience

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Fast Response Rate:
The percentage of time Aaron J. responded to client inquiries within 48 hours in the last 3 months.
100%
Training Locations
Training Locations
  1. Minnie & Lovie Ward Recreational Center, 650 Capitol Avenue, San Francisco, CA
  2. Beach Play Field, 333 Linda Avenue, Piedmont, CA
  3. Wilder Fields, Wilder Rd, Orinda, CA

My training location only

Packages

Private Session
In-Person Training for a single athlete

1 private session for a single player with Coach Aaron. 60 minute session length.

Session Length: 1 hour

$150 1 session + applicable fees

Book Now
Private Session Package
Recommended
In-Person Training for a single athlete

1 private session for a single player with Coach Aaron. 60 minute session length.

Session Length: 1 hour

$540 4 sessions ($135/ea) + applicable fees

Book Now

  • University of California--Santa Cruz (CA)

  • 17 years

  • Qualified Private Coach
    Passed Coach Course

  • Adults, Kids, Teenagers

  • Midfield, Forward, Defense

  • Goal Kicks, Throw-Ins, Shooting, Penalty Kicks, Passing, One-on-Ones, One-Touch, Heading, Free Kicks, First Touch, Dribbling, Crossing, Corner Kicks, Agility

Credentials

  • University of California--Santa Cruz (CA)

  • 17 years

  • Qualified Private Coach
    Passed Coach Course

Services

  • Adults, Kids, Teenagers

  • Midfield, Forward, Defense

  • Goal Kicks, Throw-Ins, Shooting, Penalty Kicks, Passing, One-on-Ones, One-Touch, Heading, Free Kicks, First Touch, Dribbling, Crossing, Corner Kicks, Agility

More About Coach Aaron

Coaching Experience
I'm a Gold-ranked CoachUp coach (top 5 in California) with 16 years of experience training players of all ages — club, high school, and individual development — across California, Italy, Finland, and Sweden.
Beyond on-field coaching, I spent 4 years as a speed and agility coach at Sports Athletic Advancement in Santa Cruz, and I hold a physical training certification from Solvalla Idrottsinstitut in Helsinki, Finland.
Working with a sports psychology coach during my own playing career was transformative, and it shaped the methodology I now bring to every player: developing the complete athlete — technical skill, athletic foundation, and the growth mindset to perform under pressure.

Athletic Highlights
Professional Soccer Experience:

Grankulla IFK, Finland (2015–2016)
Norvalla IFK, Finland (2014–2015)
Los Gatos Storm, NPSL California (2012–2014)

Amateur Soccer Experience:

Stahre International Academy, Sweden (2014–2016)
UC Santa Cruz, NCAA Div III (2010–2012)
SF City College (2008–2010)
Academia Insegnare Calcio, Italy (2007–2008)
Bay Oaks Soccer Club, Oakland CA (2005–2007)
Berkeley High School, 2004 NCS Champions (2003–2006)

My natural position is right back in a 4-3-3 or right midfield in a 4-4-2, but coaches often played me at left back, center mid, striker, and center back thanks to my two-footedness and versatility. Playing across the field gave me a holistic understanding of what it takes — technically, physically, and mentally — to excel at every position.

Sessions run in either 1:1 or small-group format at my established training locations, and follow the same four-phase structure, calibrated to each player's level, position, and goals. My approach develops the complete athlete across four pillars - technical, physical, tactical, and mindset - with the mental and nervous-system work integrated throughout.

Warm-up and athletic development:
Every session opens with a dynamic warm-up and activation work to prepare the body and prevent injury. From there we move into functional neurology and vision training (reflex, reaction, and ocular work that most players never train), speed mechanics, agility, change of direction, and balance. This nervous-system-first approach is what allows the technical work that follows to actually transfer to game speed.

Technical exercises:
I customize every session to the player or group. I assess first touch, close-quarters and high-speed dribbling, weak-foot coordination, and passing and shooting range. Sessions generally focus on five core technical areas: ball mastery, juggling, passing and receiving, striking, and dribbling at speed.

Individual tactics:
We close with applying technical work to game scenarios — 1v1s, finishing, combining to break lines, maintaining possession. Players learn to translate technique into the right decision across different phases of play. This portion is shaped by the player's position, skill level, and (in groups) the team dynamic.

Cool-down and continued development:
Sessions end with an active cool-down: stretching, mobility, and challenges like the crossbar challenge or conditioning blocks. I close every session with feedback and a take-home assignment drawn from my structured player development curriculum - so the work between sessions builds on what we did, and what we do next builds on what they brought back. Each player follows a development cycle that moves through assessment, training, testing, recovery, reflection, and play.

GROUP SESSIONS - Rates available upon request
Small-group sessions (2–4 players) are a great way to train at a lower per-player rate while still getting personalized coaching. Join as an individual and I'll place you in the right group based on age and level, or bring your own group of siblings, friends, or teammates. Your first group session is free - try the format and meet the group before committing to a package.
I build custom packages around your player's schedule and training goals. Message me directly to set one up. To place your player in the right group, please share:

Player's birth year (e.g. 2015)
Current team level (e.g. Gold, Premier, etc.)
Strengths, weaknesses, and goals for training

Action Photos

Client Reviews

Coach Aaron was an amazing coach!
My daughter is usually timid however, coach Aaron made her feel comfortable to where she was able to be herself. One lesson alone has improved my daughters' skills.

Coach Aaron helps my son correct his form and gives clear, specific, and insightful advice for him to improve.

I highly recommend Coach Aaron! He’s professional, encouraging, detail oriented, while making the session challenging and engaging.

HIGHLY recommend Coach Aaron! We signed my son (7y/o) up for a series of sessions to work on his technical skills and build his confidence during the off-season. I appreciate that Coach Aaron gives very specific feedback and guidance when teaching. He's also very kind and encouraging, which helps with my son's confidence.

My son's regular season practices are picking back up and his Club coach has been very impressed. He's even been talking to my son about starting him in his preferred position this Fall (midfielder!)! My son is so excited, and I look forward to continuing our sessions!

Aaron is great with my son and a good communicator.

Love coach Aaron. Super nice and great with the little ones! My 8-year old daughter plays up in a competitive league and in a few months of weekly training with him went from scoring a couple goals in a season and mostly playing D to a couple goals a game and the best player in the league. Thanks coach!

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Coach Aaron provided a good technical lesson. He was reliable and easy to work with. The kid(s) enjoyed it!

Coach Aaron is the man. My son loves his sessions.

Aaron was great, wish we lived in the area so my
son could work with him regularly. He’s very knowledgeable and had a set of drills ready to work on my son’s footwork and ball control. My son enjoyed the lessons and will definitely be back. Thanks!

Started seeing results with my touch and shot after 3 sessions. Aaron also taught me some valuable stretches and hipwork.

My son Ian has really been enjoying working with Coach Aaron and is finally focusing on his left footwork. Coach Aaron is challenging Ian is a way that no one else has been able to do thus far. Thank you Coach Aaron!

Coach Aaron is patient, calm and can assess skill gaps quickly...and exactly what my daughter wanted and needed to help hone her skills. I would recommend him to anyone. Thanks Coach!

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Great coach.

Coach Aaron is awesome! Just after 1 session, my daughter said she feels much more confident in her shooting skills. She can't wait for her next session. Thank you, Coach Aaron!

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My son has enjoyed training and looks forward to working with Aaron each time. I appreciate his feedback and how he encourages my son to get a practice routine to help him develop his own discipline for improvement. Look forward to watching my son continue to up his game.

Great experience. My son has increased confidence and skills.

Coach Aaron is top quality. Takes you through a good warm up. Then focuses each session on improving a specific skill and your overall footballing technique.

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Coach Aaron is calming & encouraging! He covered a lot of ground in the first session between running mechanics, posture & foots skills. My son came put of his first session with concrete things to practice that were presented in a way that was fun and not overwhelming. We’re looking forward to more sessions!

Wonderful coach! He has an amazing way with the kids.

He was very positive and motivated my daughter to continue working hard .

Great coach, very easy going and knowledgeable.

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Great! Thanks

Great first session with Coach Aaron! Looking forward to more training.

Coach Aaron has been a great resource for my daughter. He has worked with her not only to increase her skills, but even more importantly, to help rebuild her confidence after a few rough coaching experiences. He makes practice enjoyable and something that my daughter is really excited about and looks forward to.

My son loved his first session with Coach Aaron.

Coach Aaron made the experience fun, kept my son challenged, and taught him new drills and movements to enhance his game. My son is focused on his homework assignment and looking forward to his next session!

My daughter had a great first session with Coach Aaron. He was immediately able to help her improve some skills she needed to work on! He is obviously very good at coaching and knows how to get the best out of his athletes!

Coach Aaron is extremely knowledgeable and patient with the athletes he trains. He fills the athletes with confidence. He stresses the technical side of the sport, teaching more than how to do something - but why things are done the way he teaches it. Thank you Coach Aaron for your work and support of my son!!!!

My son gained so much from just 2 sessions with Aaron! Looking forward to what the next sessions bring.

Great technical training and positive coach that we feel lucky to have found

Coach Aaron was great! After he found out our goals, he was able to quickly assess my son's skill level and designed a workout and a daily regimen. My son has been excited ever since.

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My son liked working with Aaron and got a lot of the training session. Aaron arrived knowing what we wanted to work on and tailored the session around that list.

Coach Aaron is awesome! One session with him, and our son was already super excited about soccer! Thank you!

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It was a pleasure for my son to work with Coach Aaron! He has a great skill-set and an ability to connect with the player, making the session fun and interesting. Coach guided my son through various new drills involving dribbling, juggling, passing, receiving, and shooting. He has already started doing some of these drills in his free time. This session was a great compliment to his normal team training and we intend to continue working with Aaron.

Great coach!

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The best coach we’ve had on Coach Up, Bar None. Aaron is positive, patient and extremely knowledgeable with futbol instruction, skill set enhancement , and SAQ training. He is my only go to whenever my son needs a refresher on mechanics and techniques.

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Im feeling more light. definitely lost some weight. Look forward to get in shape and ready run more. I have a pick up game this Sunday so I will see my improvement from all this week workout.

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Our 9 yr old son started playing soccer last fall and quickly fell in love with the sport. We booked a few lessons with Coach Aaron to give him tips and work on his skills. After only two lessons, the improvements have been amazing! Coach Aaron is very patient and has a great way about him, keeping our son excited to learn more and focused on the drill, all the while making it fun for him. It is a perfect combination of keeping a lesson relaxed, focused and fun. We are really happy we chose Coach Aaron.

Great energy, good knowledge, easy to work with while as demanding as you’d like him to be.

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Coach Aaron is great, super knowledgeable and makes the practice fun. My son loved his session!

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Coach Aaron is great. My 12-year-old son learned a lot during their session and had a great workout. Thank so much, Coach Aaron! Highly recommend.

Aaron was great. He we flexible, listened to our ideas for where my daughter needed help, and provided a helpful session.

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He's a great coach. Aaron is extremely knowledgable. My son had fun training with him and looked forward to each session. I strongly recommend Aaron if you want to further your skills in soccer for yourself or your child.

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Aaron was great with my boys! Hey was able to keep them focused and teach them fundamentals while keeping it fun!

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My granddaughter is really enjoying her training sessions with Coach Aaron. She says that he is a very positive person, and is learning technical moves while having fun. She is looking forward to her next training session.

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Great coach. Good drills and techniques.

Coach Aaron was able to engage my 12 and 13 year old girls in a variety of exercises and drills that challenged them physically and mentally. They had fun, got a good workout, and learned new skills. I am excited to see them develop as soccer players as we continue to work with Coach Aaron.

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Aaron is great especially with kids . Our kid is a rookie in soccer at the age of 8. We took him to Aaron to learn the fundamentals. We were quite apprehensive during the first session that our kid might not enjoy it . By the second session, our kid is more motivated and gained the confidence to continue on. We will sign up for more lessons and definitely recommend Aaron to whoever aspires more from this sport . Teresa and Carlos .

Terrific coach! Great with my 8 year old. Engaging, focused, thoughtful, and fun. Highly recommend.

Coach Aaron was great with our son! In one session, my son showed improvement and really took in what Aaron was showing him.

Absolutely amazing coach. He knows exactly what a player needs and is very patient with them

My daughter is really enjoying her training sessions with Coach Aaron. She says that he is a very positive person, and feels he is training and challenging her both physically and mentally. He is teaching her new techniques and giving her very good tips and suggestions to improve upon her skills. She is looking forward to continuing to train with him.

Coach Aaron is amazing and he works great with my 9 yr old daughter. He is extremely knowledgeable and was able to quickly pin point her skill level and customized a plan. Coach Aaron mentally and physically challenges her while having fun. She definitely improved and has more love for the game.
Thanks Coach Aaron !

Aaron is a great coach and my 10 year old son likes his teaching style. After just the first session, my son improved a lot at his game. Aaron teaches techniques and is very engaging. I highly recommend him.
Thank you Aaron.

Coach Aaron was a great coach. He was really receptive as to what my son needed to focus on.

Coach Aaron is fabulous. He has great technique and is great with my 9-year old son!

I’ve had the pleasure of coaching and playing with Aaron for 10 years. As an athlete he is detail oriented, focused on both movement/physical science and soccer technique. I witnessed him bring that same mentality to his coaching. As a coach Aaron has the rare ability to work with boat recreational players and competitive players of all ages and genders. Aaron is someone who teaches, inspires, and connects with those he coaches. He combines the insight of a player with high-level experience and the understanding that soccer is more than just a game, it is a method to teach life skills like discipline, resilience, self-confidence, and teamwork.
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