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Post by allthingsoccer on Feb 27, 2015 10:05:08 GMT -5
It's that time of year so I wanted to start getting ideas on camps this summer and also do a shameless plug for ours NOTE.... This is not to bash any camps. It's simply to recommend ones that you feel are worth going to.
I first like to recommend GFL Soccer down in Florida. gflsoccer.com/. If you want to have a family vacation and get some training in for your player, this is for sure the best one. Eddie owns it and he helped write the FIFA rules for beach soccer. He is a very good coach and will work your player. Plus the player may be selected to train in Germany. The second one I recommend...Here comes the shameless plug..... J4K ID Camp in June (22/23). It is a day camp from 9am to 3pm each day. Part of the last day is goalkeeper wars tournament. The cost is only $190, you not only get to be seen/ trained by Ray Newland but you also get.... A pair of Limited Addition Just4keepers Goalkeeper Gloves, Just4keepers Training Apparel , 2 free sessions at a J4K weekly class near you (new students), Just4keepers video GK training downloads, and The ebook "How to Become a Professional Goalkeeper". We already have quite a few ODP keepers (1999, 2000 and 2001). This is for ages 10+ Here is the FAQ goalkeepercamps.net/faqsJust4keepers is the leading and largest goalkeeper academy worldwide currently operating in 22 Countries and Across 5 continents with our goalkeeper coaches boasting over 700 years combined coaching experience between them and with our coaches playing over one million combined hours professional soccer, so the J4K experience is unrivaled worldwide. * Coaching is Conducted by Highly Qualified, Experienced Coaches. Some are Current Pro, Ex-Pro, Semi-Pro, and Ex International Goalkeepers! * A chance for Glove Sponsorship! (Only normally offered to professional goalkeepers). * A chance to showcase your talent * For the Keepers who impress, opportunity to be signed up by GoalkeeperScholarship.com * A chance to win a prize to attend our International GK Residential camp in the USA. Sign up here.... goalkeepercamps.net/Cheers, J4K
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Post by parentsoccerfan on Feb 27, 2015 23:18:48 GMT -5
I always start thinking about camps once March approaches. Unfortunately, we have been let down several times with the quality of some camps in the metro Atlanta area so any suggestions for high-level camps for an Academy-aged kid would be much appreciated!
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Post by parentsoccerfan on Feb 27, 2015 23:20:40 GMT -5
J4K- do you know anything about the beach soccer camp that's part of the link you posted?
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Post by youthsoccerdad on Feb 28, 2015 18:44:29 GMT -5
Are there any camps for field players in the metro area for U9-U11 that actually pushes kids to be better? Every year we are pleased that our kids have fun but disappointed the level of training.
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Post by soccerfan30 on Feb 28, 2015 19:07:42 GMT -5
Are there any camps for field players in the metro area for U9-U11 that actually pushes kids to be better? Every year we are pleased that our kids have fun but disappointed the level of training. Well for girls (shameless plug) Tophat offers camps during the summer, very well attended and lots of players from other clubs. Darlington school offers good camps bur not sure of the age range.
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Post by spectator on Feb 28, 2015 20:01:10 GMT -5
Are there any camps for field players in the metro area for U9-U11 that actually pushes kids to be better? Every year we are pleased that our kids have fun but disappointed the level of training. Curious - what camps disappointed you and what level of training are you expecting? Between U9 and U10 Academy, my daughter several local day camps and had a great time. When she came back to her team that fall, her coaches were very pleased with her improvements - she was never a bad player - just small and overlooked by the coaches who went for the taller girls.. Just touching the ball and playing in those camps during the summer increased her confidence and basic skills tremendously. Conversely, we had a player on our team who went to a supposed 'elite' level camp (how 'elite' are you really at age 8-9 but OK). It was a very strenuous day camp and the kid quit soccer completely by the time she was 12. Honestly, when the kids are still in Academy level, it should be about fun not pushing them. Keep the game enjoyable and they will keep playing the game. Most of the really challenging camps are residential and have age restrictions. I know UGA won't let anyone under 12 be a resident - they can be a day camper only. I've heard Ralph Lundy camps are very challenging - again, don't know the age requirements. The camps she did back at U9-U11 were Kennesaw State University Soccer Camp, Future Stars at Oglethorpe, a YMCA camp and a NASA camp (the Y and NASA were the least strenuous but she enjoyed them since she was with a group of her teammates. The summer camps at the high schools are OK - we've done Pope and Walton - Walton was by far the best.
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Post by spectator on Feb 28, 2015 20:03:14 GMT -5
Oh - J4K - I passed your link to two friends with goalies - I think one of them is signing up this weekend. Do I get a referral fee? LOL Just kidding - hope they attend - sounds like a good opportunities for keepers!
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Post by youthsoccerdad on Feb 28, 2015 22:43:22 GMT -5
Are there any camps for field players in the metro area for U9-U11 that actually pushes kids to be better? Every year we are pleased that our kids have fun but disappointed the level of training. Curious - what camps disappointed you and what level of training are you expecting? Between U9 and U10 Academy, my daughter several local day camps and had a great time. When she came back to her team that fall, her coaches were very pleased with her improvements - she was never a bad player - just small and overlooked by the coaches who went for the taller girls.. Just touching the ball and playing in those camps during the summer increased her confidence and basic skills tremendously. Conversely, we had a player on our team who went to a supposed 'elite' level camp (how 'elite' are you really at age 8-9 but OK). It was a very strenuous day camp and the kid quit soccer completely by the time she was 12. Honestly, when the kids are still in Academy level, it should be about fun not pushing them. Keep the game enjoyable and they will keep playing the game. Most of the really challenging camps are residential and have age restrictions. I know UGA won't let anyone under 12 be a resident - they can be a day camper only. I've heard Ralph Lundy camps are very challenging - again, don't know the age requirements. The camps she did back at U9-U11 were Kennesaw State University Soccer Camp, Future Stars at Oglethorpe, a YMCA camp and a NASA camp (the Y and NASA were the least strenuous but she enjoyed them since she was with a group of her teammates. The summer camps at the high schools are OK - we've done Pope and Walton - Walton was by far the best. First I am not going to call camps out as J4K mentioned, this is to call out camps you love not point out the ones you are skipping. Why did you sign your daughter up for the academy then if soccer is about not pushing them? Keeping them in recreation seems like the best way to keep them from being pushed. My guess is you would say that your daughter enjoys the academy even if she is 'pushed.' Circular logic eh? I would agree that both of my kids in academy both enjoy soccer and enjoy the competitive practices they attend where they are pushed. Finding camps that are fun are easy. They are as you described your daughter getting which are some touches on the ball, but I am not sure how just 'touching' the ball one week in the summer is going to make a difference. Certainly the more touches the better I guess is a strategy. Question is still the same, anything out there that pushes kids a more than just getting some touches on the ball for a few hours?
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Post by jjafc on Mar 1, 2015 5:47:53 GMT -5
My kids have attended several different camps. They've done Lundy camps, various college camps, various ID camps etc. Ben Freakley's camps are best my kids have attended by a long shot. Check out Ben Freakley School of Soccer.
Ben is a fantastic coach who flies under the radar. He's a great technical and tactical coach. He has a back ground in sports psychology and does sessions on motivation and peak performance. Much of the training is at a high intensity so there is a fitness component to Ben's camps. He definitely pushes the kids to another level. The coaching staff is always outstanding.
One of the problems with most camps is you never know who's going to be coaching your kid. It's typically hit or miss with the coaching staff. He keeps the camps pretty small (40-50 kids) so he interacts with all of the kids.
Relative to all if the other stuff that the kids have attended, Freakley's camp are the best value. Check it out.
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Post by spectator on Mar 1, 2015 12:14:08 GMT -5
First I am not going to call camps out as J4K mentioned, this is to call out camps you love not point out the ones you are skipping. Why did you sign your daughter up for the academy then if soccer is about not pushing them? Keeping them in recreation seems like the best way to keep them from being pushed. My guess is you would say that your daughter enjoys the academy even if she is 'pushed.' Circular logic eh? I would agree that both of my kids in academy both enjoy soccer and enjoy the competitive practices they attend where they are pushed. Finding camps that are fun are easy. They are as you described your daughter getting which are some touches on the ball, but I am not sure how just 'touching' the ball one week in the summer is going to make a difference. Certainly the more touches the better I guess is a strategy. Question is still the same, anything out there that pushes kids a more than just getting some touches on the ball for a few hours? First - I asked what you were disappointed in and why - answering that isn't 'bashing' any camp. But OK, no worries. I am still not sure what you are asking for with regard to how a camp 'pushes' a kid to improve. If you want to elaborate on that, fine - if not, again, no worries. Second - my kid is many years out of Academy play so I was answering based on my experiences with her from U9 through today. Some of us on this board are old hands at the Academy years and can offer others some advice if one chooses to accept it. As for my kid. she went to multiple camps while in Academy not just one week for a few hours a day. Going to one camp for one week isn't going to net massive improvements in skills - that isn't realistic. I found your crack about keeping her in Rec to be very insulting as if the fact she had fun playing when she was younger now negates her skills? FYI - all that fun she had at 10 years old must have been OK - she's on her high school team and playing Athena A now. Point is, she still loves soccer and wants to play the game. She now pushes herself on her own. My goal is just to keep her playing through high school - if she wants to continue in college, she can make that choice but she says she wants to focus on academics when she gets to college. That's four years away - we'll see. But to crack why didn't I keep her in rec was very rude considering all I did was answer your question and offer my own child's experiences. Third - you hit the nail on the head - the more touches the better - regardless of whether you're paying a camp to push your kid to do them or if he or she is juggling in the back yard. If a 10 year old has to be 'pushed' to improve, is that kid really motivated to want to improve? My daughter and her teammates get together for pick up games any time they can and she usually has a ball at her feet even in the house. I have a broken china cabinet to prove it. Her coach last year insisted the girls work on touches and skills at home so they could practice competitively during the practice times. The basic skills from getting touches in are the building block to improvement. Look at it this way, you want your kid in AP Calculus as a junior in high school, he or she will need to still learn basic math skills at younger ages to get there. No different with Academy level kids - keep it fun, they'll keep playing. Along that vein, I've never been a fan of throwing 11 year olds on an 11v11 field. They need small sided play to develop the skills needed for the larger field but everyone wants to 'push' the kids at younger and younger ages. I joked once that ODP tryouts will soon be held in pre-school at this rate. These are kids - children - playing a game. Build on that and keep it fun for the younger set - the National Team will come later. And if not, it's still OK - the sun doesn't rise and set on every kid in GA making a National team or playing professionally. Statistically speaking, most will quit by high school - even fewer will play in college and the select few who get those offers for full rides at D1 schools or invites to national camps, well good for them and their proud parents! Most of us won't be in that last group and it's OK. Finally, Academy soccer is just that - a 'school' for soccer. It's the time to learn skills, play positions - multiple positions - and work as a team. Build on those and you end up on a much stronger team once you hit Select. I saw first hand in a recent high school game that one of our 'stars' at U10 isn't the rock star now. The kid was a natural athlete when she was young but never participated in any camps, never came to any of the pick up games and now is paying the price - she's still good but she's not better than her peers like she was at 10 years old. The kids have to not only enjoy the game but want to push themselves. They're more likely to do that if they enjoy what they're doing. That's true for us adults, too. Now all that said, you have received suggestions for camps that are challenging. I mentioned Lundy - I've heard that's very very fast paced and intense. You need to research and see if they take younger kids because even some of the camps realize that pushing a 9 year old won't have the same effect as challenging a 14 year old. Best of luck finding the camp you want.
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Post by allthingsoccer on Mar 3, 2015 10:11:27 GMT -5
parentsoccerfan- I don't think you can get a better person teaching your player beach soccer than Eddie. Like I said in the post he has official credit for co writing the rules for Fifa beach soccer. I know its fun for the kids and a great learning exp. We might be taking a trip down. Its one of those training's that it doesn't feel like training.
spectator- lol.. No sorry no referral fee. Thank you however for the referral. Its going to be worth it for sure and we won't disappoint your recommendation.
We all have to realize that our kids play a lot of soccer, some even play other sports as well. The kids need to be kids to. Mainly for the younger players. You DONT want to burn them out. You will find, that even a 30 day break from soccer (i mean no soccer) will be better development for your player. Its a mental thing.
Think about it Academy parents... If you push, push, push, push you will burn the player out. I know this for a fact. Keep it simple.. Push, pullback, push, pullback. Balance the progression. Make this great sport fun so they keep at it. Keep them hungry for it. If you feed them too much, they will get full. (and throw up)
As for Camps go... What we don't want to happen is have your player pick up bad habits. One of the reasons for this thread. I know we don't want to bash any so PM the personal and talk offline about the bad experience. Also, keep in mind that its someones opinion. Some other person might have gone to the same one and had a great experience. Its all a judgement call but the more information we can get the better, right? Don't over think it. Just do some research. Also, if a player can pick up one great thing from camp. I think that is a success.
Cheers, J4K
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Post by lovethegame on Mar 3, 2015 16:25:01 GMT -5
My daughter did go to Lundy when she was U12. It was a good camp. It wasn't as difficult as she thought it would be. We thought the players might be much stronger, but she was actually one of the stronger players. It was a good experience, and she enjoyed it. So, don't shy away from Lundy because it seems that it will be too difficult. They did play a whole lot of soccer, but they had fun too.
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Post by 4theloveofsoccer on Mar 3, 2015 19:50:42 GMT -5
I could not agree with you more j4k about feeding your kids too much soccer at a young age and keeping them hungry. For the spring season the kids train 2-3 times a week with games both on Saturday and Sundays - that's a lot of soccer. Once tryouts are completed I want to them to enjoy their summer doing other activities. We are on vacation, plenty of time at the neighborhood pool, and playing with neighborhood friends as we don't see them much during soccer seasons. They do though play with each other during the summer soccer wise in the front yard by having juggling competitions, 1v1, and who can kick it over the fence more.
They did their first summer camp last year which they both really enjoyed and will participate again end of June/beginning of July. They learned new things and were able to make new friends. I also noticed they just could not wait for the fall season to start.
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Post by rifle on Mar 3, 2015 21:15:47 GMT -5
For Academy age, Futurestars at Oglethorpe is worthwhile. I wish I could say the same about some others I spent dollars on.
I have heard first hand that Nuno's camp is good for stronger players.
Just like it was when I attended camps in the mid 80's...it also depends highly on what coach you get saddled with for the week.
Finally.. Having fun playing and playing the game competitively don't have to be mutually exclusive.
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Post by Keeper on Mar 5, 2015 9:02:25 GMT -5
My 12 year niece is looking for a good solid academy/athena level camp on the east of Atlanta. Any suggestions? Has to be a day camp though.
I'd love to send her to ksu but coming from grayson that's just not feasible with rush hour. And as my mother has always said we are a GaTech family so we don't give uga a dime. Haha
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Post by atlcoach84 on Mar 5, 2015 23:43:12 GMT -5
Having worked them for several years, the Emory Day camps are excellent at both skill development and still keeping the fun component of soccer camps. They're in town and have a high level of Academy and younger Select (or Athena) players at them. eagleboyssoccercamps.com/If you want the best goalkeeper camps in the area, the guys at Southern Crescent Goalkeeping are great. soccerkeepertraining.com/soccer-goalkeepers/
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Post by allthingsoccer on Apr 8, 2015 10:15:20 GMT -5
If you know a goalkeeper they must attend this camp. Special Guest Ray Newland will be at the J4K camp in Georgia. Ray is the founder of Just4keepers and is an ex professional goalkeeper of 10 years. As a professional Ray was coached and worked alongside goalkeeping legends, like Gordon Banks, Neville Southall and Peter Shilton to name but a few. Ray is the first goalkeeper coach in history to take a coaching concept worldwide and he has directly and indirectly helped over 50,000 goalkeepers over the past two decades. There is normally up to a two year wait for his goalkeeper coaching services and you will find his goalkeeping techniques taught all over the word, from grassroots to professional soccer clubs. With over 20 years' experience, there are few people worldwide that can match Ray's proven success rate developing goalkeepers! The camp is only $190 for two days. 9am-3pm with a goalkeeper war at the end. Plus you get... goalkeepercamps.net/A pair of Limited Addition Just4keepers Goalkeeper Gloves. Just4keepers Training Apparel 2 free sessions at a J4K weekly class near you (new students). Just4keepers video GK training downloads. The ebook "How to Become a Professional Goalkeeper"
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Post by allthingsoccer on Jul 29, 2015 12:05:27 GMT -5
If you know of any goalkeepers, this is a must attend event. Special Preseason Goalkeeper with Ray Newland. Limited Spaces. Book your Camp today. Limited Spaces. goalkeepercamps.net/(Beginners/Intermediate Goalkeepers) August 22nd, 2015 Session #1 – 8:30AM-12:00PM (24 Keepers Max)- $49.00 Session #2 – 1:30PM-5:00PM (24 Keepers Max)- $49.00 * 2 free sessions at a J4K weekly class to Just4Keepers Georgia (new students). * Free Glove Bag Oglethorpe University 4484 Peachtree Rd Atlanta Georgia 30319 ELITE Camp (National, ECNL, Regional, Classic 1 or Athena A Players Only) goalkeepercamps.net/August 23rd, 2015 Session #1 – 8:30AM-12:30PM (12 Keepers Max) Session #2 – 2:00PM-6:00PM (12 Keepers Max) Included in the price you will receive for FREE: * 2 free sessions at a J4K weekly class to Just4Keepers Georgia (new students). * Standouts will be selected for a profile on goalkeeperscholarship.com/ ($1500 value)
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