Choosing the Best Soccer Camp For You

Winter's winding down, spring is almost here, and you know what that means. It's time to think about what soccer camp you'll attend this summer.

Will you just do a weeklong camp that's two hours away? Would you rather do a soccer camp at your local park? Or are you leaning toward the semester-long international soccer camp that will take you halfway around the world?

No matter what you choose, there are a number of factors you'll need to consider before making the decision on where to put your talent and your money. It's important that you find a soccer camp that meshes well with your personality and what you want to get out of your time there.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when you're looking for the perfect soccer camp.
Do they focus on the four aspects of skill development?

All intensive soccer camps should provide four aspects of skill development: strength and conditioning, technical precision, tactical development and sport psychology coaching. If you're serious about taking your game to the next level, then these four factors are vital in your training. If a soccer camp doesn't provide them, then you need to look elsewhere.


What's the most important thing you want to learn?

What you want to learn will weigh heavily on where you should go. If you want to master fundamentals, you're going to need lots of practice and correction to make sure you're not learning them wrong. Look for a camp that has a lot of coaches who will take the time to help you correct your basic skills.

On the other hand, if you want to learn more about soccer tactics, you're going to need a soccer camp that lasts a month or longer. Tactics only come by playing and making mistakes, something you won't be able to get out of a shorter camp. If you really want to just get in shape, look for a camp that focuses on conditioning and physical training.

Take the time to consider what you really want to get out of your camp, and you won't be wasting time or money when you go.

Can you take a look at the camp before you go?

Parents and players seeking a soccer camp, soccer school or soccer academy should have the opportunity to see recent photos and videos of the program. That way, they can gain a better visual and be able to make a more educated decision about the right soccer course.

If you're going to a camp for the first time, especially if it's far away, it's a good idea to see if there are any videos and pictures available of the soccer camp. Some soccer camps will have video and photo galleries available on their websites, which will give you the opportunity to get a good look at the camp. You can also run a search on YouTube to see if any former players have posted video of their time at soccer camp.

Pick the perfect camp for you

Soccer camps are an excellent way to hone your skills and gain valuable playing experience. When you're considering soccer camps, look at all the angles: what they provide, what you want out of the camp, and whether you get a chance to take a look at the camp before you go. Research all the soccer camps before you make a decision, and you'll make certain that you're getting the best camp for your money.