Adult Soccer Camps

I have attended this camp (the adult residental camp) for the last five years.

How much you like the camp will depend on what you want to get out of it.

When I first went it had a great mix of adult beginners, and competitive adult players.... Also an age mix from college age to guys in their 60's. People from all over the country and skill levels.

You play soccer there in four sessions a day, and really can learn a lot from some really good coaches. I promise that you will be very tired by the end of it, but you can also go at whatever pace that you desire.

But in the last couple of years the more competitive players stopped coming and the camp attendance dropped into the 30s and the level of play REALLY dropped off.

So, if you are a beginner or are not looking for a high level of play it can be an amazingly fun week of soccer. It is fun to know that all you are going to do that day is paly soccer.

I can tell you also that a core group of the more competitive players that have been attending for the last four-six years have decided to not go this year. Why? because the Ellis family (the people who run the camp) have made some changes to the coaching staff, and they seem to be wanting to keep the level of competition to more of a recreational level.

So we have decided to take a year off to see what happens.

I realize that this is a pretty wishy washy recommendation. I have really strong feelings about this camp and overall have really enjoyed my time there, but the last couple of years did not live up to my expectations.

peet

 

I went to one of these "camps", actually, it was more of a "clinic" in KC.

I think it was like an hour for 4 consecutive Saturday's. The theme of the camp was about "playing", but the majority of participants were "parent/coaches" with little soccer background wanted to learn stuff to use in practice for their kids. It was co-ed.

It was taught by former KC Wizards assistant Tadieau Dias (a Brazilian and former MISL indoor player).

We didnt ever scrimage or anything though. I learned a few things. I was easily the most advanced player there, so Dias taylored the class more to the novice level. Still it was good to bring back some fundamentals I had lost, or correcting some bad habits that I had. It was only $40 bucks, so I'd say it was worth it.

James

 

Well if this year is anything like the last two, the level of play will be below "average adult" skill level. There are always several people that attend that are brand new to the sport, or just getting into it. There are also those that are 40+ and are slower, and those at all ages that are just rec type players.

My guess is that with the amount that you have played that the level would be lower than your's.

My first couple of years there was several active college players that attended and that made the camp fun, but they stopped coming for whatever reason.

For all I know, this year will be a very high level of competition, but I just dont know.

I dont know anyone that has been to the single camps.

let me know if you go.

peet

 

My first couple of years there was several active college players that attended and that made the camp fun, but they stopped coming for whatever reason.

Hey Hitman,
i think i know why your "so-called" college players stopped coming to camp...Could it be that...you are just THAT bad at soccer and they did not want to continue wasting their money????

They would get a better work out attending an U-16 girls camp!! Can camp really be that fun when you are sooo bad at a sport?
Just wondering

 

I've attended the camp several times, and my understanding was that the camp organizers (John Ellis in particular) turned the more competitve players away (last year they turned 10 college players down) to try and keep a more "recreational" feel to the camp.

That said they have a new director for the adult camp who is being given a greater degree of control over the composition and organzation of the camp for next year.

Plus, since a certain "bad element" was missing this year, they might not be as concerned about "player safety" as they have in past years.

 

"Bad element?" "Player Safety"?

I have been to the last five camps previous to this year. In all that time, there has been only one serious injury and that was non-contact. In fact 99% of the "injuries" are pulled muscles and exhaustion.

Those comments might be a matter of perspective rather than reality.

When did you attend?

 

Easy there HM- just joking.

Actually, you are quite correct (for those who haven't attended)- most of the injuries are muscle pulls, strains, or blisters (with the exception of those who come to camp with pre-exisiting injuries/issues that are agrivated). The vast majority (99.9%) of people who attend are "clean" players and usually it's the beginner and "glory day" players that one has to watch out for.

 

glory days players

i found baggio to be the biggest threat. my ankle still hurts from his 'defense'.

i really hope that next year that the group of experienced will grow. i know that some people are making a big effort to recruit more experienced players.

 

Re: glory days players

Ah yes, Baggio. I am stunned to hear Baggio actually played some defense.

As for the "big effort to recruit more experienced players". This is a topic that has been discussed at length the last three camps. In fact John Ellis, the owner, came to the group each time asking what they can do to increase the attendance. Many excellent suggestions and offers of expertise (for free) have been made never to been taken up on or asked for help.

It really has been a dissapointment.

I hope they mean it this time. Cause I am planning on returning next year as is some of the other regulars.

 

As in past years, I think it will be up to people *other* than John Ellis is the competitive level is going to increase. If each returning player somehow influences only one other person to attend the problem's "solved". I think some of the coaching staff are also involved in efforts to increase competitive play so next year may actually be more challenging...