Choosing The Right Soccer Camp
By Shasta Walker
Soccer
camps are big business. Colleges, state soccer associations, clubs, professional
teams, individuals and organizations are all looking to cash in on the
phenomenal growth and popularity of women's soccer. It is increasingly
difficult for players and their parents to sort through the endless choices
and get the soccer experience they're looking for...and paying for. Where
do you start?
Make sure you look before hand at
the brochure of the camp. A good brochure tells you something of every
aspect of that camp." advises Alex Pama, who has been involved as
a trainer and coach in camps in Europe and the U.S. He is currently on
the Regional Staff for Region III ODP and is the Assistant Director of
Coaching for the Atlanta Lightning Soccer Club in charge of the girls'/women's
program.
I asked Pama and several of my soccer friends to share with me information
about the different kinds of camps available and camp experiences that
parents and players should be warned about as well as the good experiences
and benefits of camps.
Day Camps For day camps, sometimes there
are different things to consider or different motivations. Many times,
especially in the younger ages (4-10 years old), the day camp business
is more a babysitting business. The child does not really want to play
soccer, but mom and dad say so, so there they are. Two to three hours of
instruction is way too long for any child younger than 10 years old,"
advises Pama. He also cautions that in some day camps problems arise because
of coaching staff who lack understanding of the developmental needs of
young children coupled with difficulties from some children who may not
want to be there and participate. "Some coaches don't know how to
solve these problems, get frustrated, and take it out on the kids. When considering a day camp, Pama encourages
parents to do research on the coaching staffcheck references, age, experience
(don't forget to ask if they have worked with girls before), coaching license
and whether they follow a curriculum. He warns that many camps bring in
young, inexperienced coaches from overseas to hold down salary costs. These
young staff members may accept the position to experience the U.S. rather
than out of a desire to instruct young players. In the worst cases, "they
do not know their responsibilities and go out every night and party. You
can imagine that they cannot do a good job during the day. Pama recommends that camps aimed at this
age group not exceed 10 hours/week and should cost around $75, including
t-shirt.
Overnight And College Camps Players should look into
overnight camps at the age of 12-14, if they feel comfortable to stay away
from home for a week. Find out if the camp provides a `camp mom' in case
a child gets homesick or just needs someone to talk to." At this age,
Pama feels that knowing what you want out of a camp is very important to
the selection process. If you want to have fun and a great
soccer experience on the side, look at some camps that will suit that need.
If you want top notch coaching, look at the coaching staff involved and
do a little research on them. But if your objective is to be looked at
by a college coach, make sure he or she is at the camp and actually instructing
before you register for the camp. Don't automatically assume that going
to that college's soccer camp will get you exposed to the coach in charge.
Many times the coach in charge is not even there and assistants are in
charge, but the actual coaching is being done by their college players.
Pama says a good overnight camp will provide
at least 30 hours of instruction and should be around $350 to $450/week
including t-shirt and a ball. He encourages everyone to look beyond
the name of a camp. Just because the camp carries the name of a pro club,
a great player or coach, a collegiate soccer power, or your favorite soccer
shoe doesn't mean the camp is of high quality or meets your objectives.
"Don't forget soccer camps are a business and sometimes you use a
name to get business." Do soccer camps make you a better
player? Of course, every time you play it makes you a better player, but
a soccer camp does not make you an excellent player in a week. Although
many camp directors and organizations make you believe that, don't lose
sight of reality. YOU are responsible throughout the year for becoming
a better soccer player. Camps are just another tool to get you there,"
advises Pama. Personal Experience My first camp experience was at the
University of Arkansas when I was almost 12 years old. Looking back, I
can see why it is so important for the coaching staff to have a developmental
approach. The University of Arkansas knew just what a 12 year old needed,
a humorous, friendly coach who communicated, above all else, a love and
passion for the game and plenty of opportunity to "play. My latest camp experience was at Stanford
University. They knew that most who signed up for this camp designed for
high school players were looking for a challenge and intense, direct coaching.
They delivered not only with head coach Steve Swanson and assistant Cailin
Mullins, but also with head coaches from Dartmouth, Wellesley, and DePaul
Universities. My friends all have one camp complaint
in common. FOOD. Food that you wouldn't want to eat after playing in the
hot sun. What do they want? More fresh fruits and vegetables. My friend Elaine from Little Rock tells
me the greatest thing that kids get out of overnight soccer camps has nothing
to do with soccer. They learn how to do their own laundry.
A GOOD CAMP BROCHURE SHOULD INCLUDE:
|
BEWARE OF:
|
IS THE CAMP PREPARED IN CASE OF EMERGENCY?
|
© WSW March/April 1998
When Should We Teach Positions?
By Jan Smisek, U.S. Soccer U-14 National Coaching Coordinator
Camps, Camps And More Camps
By Judith Phillips Rogers