Soccer camps allow you to work on your game year-round and develop the skills you need to impress college coaches and earn scholarship offers. You may be wondering, how do I find soccer camps near me? NCSA has compiled a list of college soccer camps across the country. Use the list below to find a soccer camp near you. You can also get answers to top questions about soccer camps.
Search all soccer recruiting events or find women’s soccer camps here.
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Before you go to a camp, make sure your NCSA Recruiting Profile is up-to-date! Create a free profile today.
Top questions about soccer camps
- What are the different types of soccer camps?
- Why are soccer camps important?
- When do camps take place?
- How do I choose a soccer camp?
- What are soccer ID camps?
- How do ID camps work?
- Who should go to a college soccer ID camp?
- Do you have to get invited to a college soccer ID camp?
- Are soccer ID camps worth it?
- How can you can stand out at soccer ID camp?
- Goalkeepers camps
- What is the best soccer camp?
What are the different types of summer soccer camps?
Here are the different types of soccer camps you can attend this summer:
- Youth development camps: This is where you start if you’re a young player who wants to build on the fundamentals. Some sessions may include hundreds of attendees, dozens of instructors and several skills/drill stations running continually throughout the day.
- Soccer clinic sessions: If you’re a more advanced player who wants a lot of one-on-one attention from instructors, a soccer clinic will be more productive. Clinics often focus on specific positions and advanced strategies.
- College soccer camps: Most college soccer programs offer on-campus camps for various age groups and skill levels. These are perfect for athletes who want to learn more about a college and develop their skills.
- ID showcase camps and tournaments: This is where you gain exposure to college coaches and recruiters. Most of these tournament-style showcases are invite-only for club players or college recruits.
Why are soccer camps important?
Camps give soccer players an outlet to get comfortable on the pitch and work on their game year-round. This can give them a competitive edge for the upcoming high school season – and in college recruiting! All camps provide athletes with specialized training, and some can even give athletes direct exposure to college coaches. A soccer camp can help you to develop new skills, identify areas of improvement, and learn from experienced coaches.
When do camps take place?
Club and high school leagues generally run fall through spring, which leaves the summer as an open window for camps. While skill development camps can also be found year-round, college recruiting takes place in the summer. Why? Because college coaches have more time to focus on recruiting in the summer months since it’s outside of their own season and adheres to the NCAA recruiting calendar.
How do I choose a soccer camp?
When choosing a soccer camp, athletes should answer the following questions.
- What is my skill level? While soccer camps are a great place to advance your skill level, it’s important that you don’t attend a camp that is too far beyond your abilities. Look for camps that match your current skill level.
- What is my goal for attending a soccer camp? Everyone’s goals are different, so it’s important to identify what you are looking to gain from attending a camp. Do you want to gain exposure? Learn a new skill? Improve on your current skillset? Once you determine your goal it will be easier to find the right camp.
- Who is hosting the camp? For athletes looking to gain exposure while attending a camp, it’s important to find a camp where coaches at your target school are present.
- What’s my budget? The reality is, camps can be expensive. Athletes should decide on a budget before searching for camps.
What are soccer ID camps?
Soccer ID camps help coaches to identify or “ID” talent. They can be hosted by college coaches on the campus of their university, or by a third-party on a neutral location where multiple college coaches can work as coaches or attend as spectators.
Top-ranked players on youth club teams may get invited to elite soccer ID camps sponsored by club organizations, such as US Club Soccer.
How do soccer ID camps work?
At a soccer ID camp, you’ll participate in drills and competitions with college coaches present. ID camps typically last about three to four days and depending on the location, you may have to stay overnight. University camps typically offer athletes to stay overnight in the dorms with other campers. Shorter ID camps are more commonly known as ID clinics and last one to two days.
Who should go to a college soccer ID camp?
Rising juniors and seniors who are active in their recruiting process and in contact with college coaches will benefit the most from attending ID camps. However, any varsity level soccer player can find value in getting exposure to college coaches. This can be a good way to see what division levels are showing interest in you. Know that not all ID camps are the same. Your experience will vary depending on the location of the camp, number of college coaches and athlete participation.
Do you have to get invited to a college soccer ID camp?
Yes, you usually need to be invited to participate in a college soccer ID camp. Playing on a club team and attending soccer tournaments can increase your chances of receiving an invite.
Don’t mistake general emails or mass camp invites for genuine interest. Consider if the coach has seen you play before or has shown personal interest through email or phone calls. If a coach is actively recruiting you, expect a personalized invitation directly from them.
Are soccer ID camps worth it?
Yes, soccer ID camps are worth attending because they give athletes the most one-on-one interaction with college coaches of any recruiting event. Most coaches serve as instructors at their ID camps, which allows them to engage with and evaluate athletes to determine if they are a good fit for their program.
Ways a soccer camp can benefit your recruiting:
- Get identified as a college prospect. Getting hands-on experience can give you a better look into their coaching style and personality.
- Compete against high level of competition. Seeing how you stack up against other players which can help you evaluate the right division level for you.
- The college experience. This is a big one! You’ll get to check out a variety of college campuses and athletic facilities to help you discover what you’re looking for in a college.
- Improve your soccer skills. Take this opportunity to not only work on your current skills, but also develop new ones!
How can you stand out at a soccer ID camp?
For ID camps to be a successful recruiting tool, you must be proactive and ready to put in the extra work before, during, and after the event. These are sure fire ways to stand out:
- Reach out college coaches before camp
- Get facetime with the coach
- Be coachable, respectful, and always play hard
- Follow up with coaches after camp
goalkeeper camps
Goalies or goalkeepers have a unique skillset that may or may not be addressed at a typical college soccer ID camp. Attending a camp that is geared towards goalkeepers can provide athletes with the specific training they need to be successful in the goal. These camps focus on important things like where to stand, how to stop shots, passing the ball, and staying mentally strong.
How to choose the best goalkeeper camp for you:
- Where is your skill level? Read the description of camp to find out what type of instruction or training there will be. To truly improve, goalkeepers need to be challenged in the right areas.
- Who is the coach or instructor? You want to learn from a coach who has the knowledge and experience goalkeepers need to advance their skills.
- What is the coach to player ratio? There are a lot of camps out there that are just for profit. Which means they might not cap attendance and you want to make sure you receive individual training and lot of reps.
What do soccer camps cost?
Soccer camps can cost anywhere between $100 to $500 and sometimes over $1,000. The cost mostly depends on the length of stay and quality of the camp. Overnight camps can sometimes offer athletes with residential options to stay on campus. In this case, the fees will reflect a price that also covers their lodging and meals. The more “exclusive” a camp advertises, the more expensive it will be.
What is the best soccer camp?
The best soccer camps will provide athletes with challenging soccer drills and the opportunity to learn from experienced coaches. Add in recruiting exposure, and you’ve got a hat-trick! To make the most of your experience, seek and accept any tips and advice you receive from coaches.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to work on your tricks, get evaluated as a potential recruit and explore a college campus, soccer ID camps are a great recruiting event option. Create an NCSA Recruiting profile to receive and respond to college camp invites. Create a free profile today.
Learn more about the different types of soccer events: