Participants: of the Auburn University high school girl's soccer camp went through college-level training in the sport during the three-day program. Diane Phelps / PHOTO STAFF
High school girls experienced what it’s like to be a college soccer player last weekend when the Auburn women’s soccer coaches and players hosted an elite soccer camp June 13-15.
Campers trained each morning and played a match in each afternoon or night. They covered film and scouting reports.
“I think what really makes it unique is the format, the content,” said Karen Hoppa, Auburn soccer head coach and camp director. “It’s different than anything else that I see in any other soccer camps all summer. It really gives them an idea of what the next level is all about.”
The girls learned NCAA rules as they completed the same type of training as a college player. By having a high coach-to-player ratio, the girls received individual instruction and feedback during training sessions and games. Written individual evaluations are given during some of the longer camps, but not at the elite camp.
Summer Ragsdale, a senior in marketing, was one of the Auburn players who worked as an assistant coach at the camp. She said the college players assisting at the camp participate in the practices with the campers and act as role models. The assistant coaches give guidance and criticism during the training sessions.
“As a player, we provide a lot of information for the girls when it comes to them having questions about college and college sports,” Ragsdale said. “It’s just a good time for them to figure out if it is something they want to pursue and something they want to do.”
Upon arrival, the girls were split into teams. Each team was assigned a head coach from a local high school or college.
The matches were recorded and played back later that night. Hoppa gave the players feedback on how to improve their game while they watched the film.
“It’s another tool to help them see things visually,” Ragsdale said.
The elite camp emphasizes a high level of skill training. Lessons include speed of play and functional training, which is “really trying to fine-tune the player in their position,” Hoppa said.
Players benefit from the interaction with older, more advanced players and college-level instruction from licensed coaches.
“(After camp) the understanding of the game overall is so much better,” Ragsdale said. “They understand movement on the field, and they grasp general concepts to help them play better soccer that they can take back to their teams. It’s not as much of a technical camp as it is playing the 11 to 11 game and getting to understand the movement of the game and the teams and how things should be.”
Other camps include a day camp June 16-19 for boys and girls ages 5-18 and a residential camp July 20-23 for girls ages 9-18.
