We started to see this question pop up online as we’re growing, so our founders wanted to answer it for everyone asking: yes, Athletes Untapped is 100% legit! We’re a trusted, owner-operated marketplace that connects athletes and parents with vetted private sports coaches across 16 sports. Our founders – Gene and Elaine Williams (centered in the picture above) – are a married couple who both played college/pro sports and spent years in the private coaching industry. Thousands of athletes have booked lessons on the platform, and our coaches consistently rate it higher than alternatives in the space.
But don’t just take our word for it. Below, we’ll break down how Athletes Untapped works, what reviews say, how trust & safety are handled, and why more parents and coaches are turning to AU.
How Athletes Untapped Works
For parents and athletes:
- Browse coaches: Search by sport, location, or specialty.
- Book lessons: Choose packages or single sessions.
- Payment & scheduling: Secure payments are handled directly on the platform.
- Take your lesson: In-person, one-on-one training.
- Rate & review: Leave feedback to help others.
For coaches:
- Apply online → complete a quick background check & finish onboarding → get approved → start accepting clients.
- Coaches set their own rates and keep 80% of every booking.
Reviews & Testimonials
Families consistently highlight three things in reviews:
- Quality of coaches — many are former college or pro athletes.
- Ease of use — booking and scheduling are seamless.
- Customer support — AU is hands-on, helping both parents and coaches.
Safety & Trust
One of the most common questions we hear is: Is Athletes Untapped safe?
The answer: Yes. Safety is built into the platform:
- Background checks: Every coach must pass a one-time background check.
- Vetting process: Only ~10% of coaches who apply are accepted.
- Secure payments: All payments run through Stripe, so parents never hand cash to strangers.
- Refund protection: If a lesson gets canceled, credits are handled directly in the platform.
But don’t just take our word for it. Read our Google reviews and hear it from parents & coaches!
Fees & Earnings
From our Athletes Untapped vs CoachUp comparison:
- No hidden fees: We don’t charge athletes or parents extra to book lessons or simply make an account.
- One-time $10 background check for coaches to get started.
- Coaches keep 80% of every lesson – significantly higher than most platforms.
Athletes Untapped vs CoachUp (and Others)
How does AU stack up against the competition?
| Feature | Athletes Untapped | CoachUp |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Founder-run by former athletes | VC/angel-backed |
| Client Fees | $0 to sign up | ~$24.99 “match” fee |
| Coach Earnings | 80% kept by coach | Scales over time, often lower |
| Sign-up Costs | One-time $10 background check | Activation + annual membership |
| Recruiting | Personalized “white-glove” recruiting if parents can’t find a coach | Limited |
The takeaway: Athletes Untapped is designed to be fairer for coaches and simpler for parents.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Thousands of vetted coaches across 16 sports.
- Coaches keep more of their earnings (80%).
- Safe, secure payment system.
- Owner-operated by people who understand & care about youth sports.
Cons
- Availability can be limited in certain smaller markets.
- But, if you don’t see a coach near you, contact us and we will recruit someone awesome in under 2 weeks!
FAQs
Is Athletes Untapped safe?
Yes, every coach must pass a background check and is vetted before being approved.
Does Athletes Untapped charge hidden fees?
No – parents pay only for lessons, and coaches pay only a one-time $10 background check fee.
How much do coaches keep?
Coaches keep 80% of every booking.
What if I can’t find a coach?
Athletes Untapped offers a recruiting service to help match you with the right coach.
So, is Athletes Untapped legit? Yes. Thousands of families have already booked lessons safely, and coaches rely on it to run their private coaching business.
If you’re a parent: you can trust that your child will train with a vetted, experienced coach.
If you’re a coach: you’ll join a growing community, keep more of your earnings, and get hands-on support.
👉 Ready to try? Browse local coaches here or apply to coach today.
