One of the Best College Soccer ID Camps for Females in the USA Returns to Southern California
As competitive, high-caliber youth soccer players prepare to reach their collegiate goals — finding the right college opportunity and hopefully a roster spot — the opportunity to learn from coaches at the college level is a valuable experience. There are very few, if any, college ID camps for female, elite youth soccer players as professionally organized or comprehensive as the College Soccer Academy.
Run by Neil McGuire, long-time University of Cal. Berkeley head coach and Chris Lemay, Utah Valley University (UVU) head coach, this College ID Camp draws collegiate coaches from top colleges across the country.
Related Article: 2017 College Soccer Academy – Girls ID Camp
Youth Soccer News: College Soccer Academy is hosting the 2018 edition of its girls’ College ID Camp at the So Cal Sports Complex in Oceanside, California, between July 17th and 18th.
College coaches from California Berkeley, Duke University, UCLA, Brown University, Washington State University, University of Utah, University of San Francisco, Utah Valley University, Ohio State, San Francisco State University, University of Arizona Wildcats, University of New Mexico, Oklahoma State University, Oregon State, St Mary’s College and Florida Atlantic will be leading training sessions.
“We are very excited to return to Oceanside for the College Soccer Academy ID camp,” said Neil McGuire, University of Cal. Berkeley head coach. “The quality of the staff and the Universities represented in our program should draw a very talented crowd of campers. Our hope is to give good exposure to each player in attendance and help them grow their game as it relates to college soccer.”
At the College Soccer Academy ID Camp, players looking for roster spots have the chance to meet with and be evaluated by several top collegiate coaches — at one camp. While this is a scouting opportunity, it is also important for youth soccer players to see college coaches in action — and discover who might be the right coaching fit for them. Finding the right fit, both academically as well as on the soccer pitch is critical to a student athlete’s short and long-term success.
“The College Soccer Academy ID camp this July is one of the best opportunities for players to showcase and work intimately with some of the top college soccer coaches in America,” said Chris Lemay, Utah Valley University (UVU) head coach. “This program is special because there is an array of collegiate women’s soccer coaches. We’ve got different divisions; Division I, and Division II, Division III, and NAIA coaches all scouting player
“I think that this camp is valuable for any player who is desiring to play collegiate soccer. What separates this camp, compared to an individualized college ID camp, is that players gain exposure to several different college programs, as opposed to only one if you go to a college campus,” said Lemay.
“It’s obviously important for the coach to have a desire to have an individual player in their program, but it’s also important for the player to like the coaching style. Some players flourish with a coach that’s very tactical and even-keeled,” said Lemay. “Other players need inspiration and need a bigger personality. Having the opportunity to work with, in a training environment, all of these different college coaches is a spectacular opportunity.”
How should a player prepare?
I find it very important that the players come with an attitude to enjoy themselves. Players play their best soccer when they are having fun.
“A mistake that commonly occurs, whether it’s at a big showcase event or a college ID camp is that a player tends to try to hit the home run every time — and they end up showcasing themselves at a level that’s below where they really are,” said Lemay. “I think that it’s really important for players to remember that they play their best soccer when they’re playing carefree, not in fear of a mistake or in fear of judgment.”
“Try to relax. Players play their best soccer when they are working hard and when they are playing simple. Do the little things well and just try not to over-complicate the game. Play simple and smile. I think when you smile you play better,”
“A lot of times college coaches are looking to see what you do in adverse situations, so if you give the ball away, or if you make a mistake, they can easily dismiss a mistake, everybody makes a mistake, but then how do you react to that mistake? I think that’s a real telling sign of what type of person they would be bringing into their program,” said Lemay.
“Do you give it away and put your head down? Do you give it away and blame the player that gave you the ball, or the referee, or do you give the ball away and immediately try to go win it back?”
And now, all of a sudden, the coaches think, “Hey, that kid made a mistake, sure, but look at what she did afterwards.”
College Soccer Academy ID Camp Details
Cost: $349.00 – Registration Link
Grade/Age: 7th Grade-12th Grade (as of 2017/2018 School Year)
Players: Field Players & Goalkeepers (specific goalkeeper training)
Gender: Females
Field Location: So Cal Sports Complex in Oceanside, California, (3300 El Corazon Drive)
***Teams of 10 or more that sign up, receive 10% off! (email us for info on that)
College Soccer Academy ID Camp Schedule
Tuesday:
Check-In: 8:45 am
Stations: 9:30 am-12:30 pm
Lunch: 12:30-1:15 pm
Games: 1:15-4:00 pm
Wednesday:
Stations: 9:00 am-12:00 pm
Lunch: 12:00-12:45 pm
Games: 1:00-3:00 pm
There is a $50 non-refundable deposit.
All participants will play in 11vs11 games and will have the opportunity to be exposed to every coach in attendance and will be evaluated as they participate in sessions that mirror a college environment.
If you cancel 45 days or less before the start of camp, you will be charged 50% of your registration. If you cancel 45 days or more before the start of camp, you will be granted a full refund, except the $50 deposit.
Per NCAA recruiting rules our College Soccer Academy ID Camps are open to any and all entrants, limited only by age, grade in school, or enrollment cap. Each College Soccer Academy camp welcomes players from grade 7 to grade 12.
