The Santa Barbara Youth Field Players and Goalkeepers Soccer Camp is designed for club level field players who aspire to play at the next level. The camp is a challenging program with training sessions stressing individual instruction, technical and tactical demands of the game. Players will receive clearly defined demonstration that illustrates key developmental points.

The camp theme is consistent throughout our program: to develop the intermediate to advanced youth player to best of their ability. The camp learning environment will be enhanced through the newest youth teaching and coaching methods presented in a clear and concise manner. All players will leave camp with a greater understanding of the individual and team concepts of the game.

Players will be divided into teams during the evening session and compete in our own version of the World Cup Tournament.

What Sets SB Youth Residential Camp Apart from the rest of the Youth Camps?

Low Player to Coach Ratio
What is the camper-to-staff ratio? Approximately 12-15 to -1 for field players and 8-10 to – 1 for goalkeepers.

Take your game to the next level!
SB’s quality of instructors will enable each camper to have access to top notch staff that will provide knowledgeable insight, and individual direction through our position method that will enable you to “take your game to the next level”. The SB Positional Method provides each camper with position specific training taught by staff that played your specific position at the very highest level of the game. We have selected training sessions during the week with instruction in your position of choice to assist you with specific attacking or defending skills in individual, small group and team games. This method is proven to take your game to the next level and assist campers with the ability to overcome hurdles within their game!

Learn how to play at your BEST
All campers will have an opportunity to play at their BEST in our evening games. The games will comprise of 4v4 and 5v5 play with and without Goalkeepers as well as 8v8 and 11v11 full field games. These games will give every camper an opportunity to shine, receive maximum touches and score lots of goals in the small-sided games as well as gain a greater understanding of positional play and small group/ team concepts in the full field games.

Experience the Ultimate Challenge
It is critical to SB that every camper leaves the week with a greater understanding of what they are capable of achieving. We will place you in an environment that presents technical and tactical challenges within the physical and psychological aspects of the game. Our SB method is presented to each camper in a way that brings out a FUN and challenging experience that all youth campers EMBRACE!

Technical Method: The sessions are primarily conducted in the morning and involve game relevant skill development, touching on all the essential components of the game: first touch/passing and receiving, 1v1 defending, 1v1 attacking & running with the ball, weight-accuracy- pace of passing, long range passing, heading to defend and attack and finishing. All of these techniques will be demonstrated by top college and professional players and will be broken down into an easily learned and proven successful step-by-step teaching method.

Tactical Method: The method of When and Why to use your skill sets related to your decisions and positional play within the content of small groups and the team will be a key component that all players will learn within our program. These tactical skills will primarily be accomplished in small groups and include, but not limited to creating 2v1 opportunities, transition play, principles of attacking and defense, speed of play and changing the point of attack.

Physical Method: The SB program will include a greater understanding of the function and role of a warm-up and cool down, prior to sessions. The physical aspect will be accomplished primarily with the use of a soccer ball to incorporate foot speed, agility and quickness training. In addition, flexibility and balance will be incorporated into daily stretching activities. Each day will conclude with evening classroom and discussion sessions that will touch on injury care and prevention, as well as proper nutrition values for the serious soccer player.

Psychological Method: The SB philosophy of Technical and Tactical training will incorporate and prepare each player mentally to meet their potential. The program staff encourages players to meet their potential through positive feedback, leadership games, and small goal-setting activities. Classroom sessions will incorporate topics such as: leadership, individual game analysis, goal setting and positive self-motivation.

Learn Responsibility & Gain Confidence
It is imperative to SB that every camper through our methods, receives encouragement and enthusiasm, while gaining responsibility coupled with learning valuable soccer skills and lessons. Our staffs aim for the week is to send each camper home with a greater understanding of the game, “taking each player somewhere new”, while promoting self-confidence to everyone

Create lasting Friendships & FUN
The SB experience will enable each camper to leave with soccer skills, friendships and self-respect. Every camper will leave with a new sense of enjoyment for the game and a powerful bond shared with fellow campers that will stay with them long after they have left.

Detailed Written Evaluations
The SB staff will provide each camper with a detailed written evaluation that will include personal feedback on all components of the game from technical, tactical, physical and psychological. Everyone will leave camp with the opportunity to review with their respective staff the written evaluations.

Evening Classroom Sessions & Seminars
Each day will conclude with evening classroom and discussion sessions that will touch on injury care, and prevention, as well as proper nutrition values for the serious soccer player. In addition, we will incorporate topics such as: leadership, self-game analysis, goal-setting and positive self-motivation.

2011 MLS Player Appearance!
Current MLS Players are set to make guest appearances at the 2011 Camp!

Check back for release of what UCSB MLS Alumni will make appearance, to be posted in mid April.