Roy Lassiter

Youth Soccer News: Roy Lassiter Talks About Soccer Summer 2011

Talk of the upcoming "Roy Lassiter Camp" has been burning up the inboxes of SoCal soccer families lately.  SoccerNation reached out to Lassiter to find out why his camp has been generating such excitement and what makes it different than all the others. 

SN:  What makes "Lassiter Camp" such a standout among all of the soccer camps around?  Why are folks so excited about it?

Roy Lassiter:  The individual training that players will get during this camp is top-notch, professional, and worth every penny.  But also, I feel that this camp will stand out from other camps because I'm looking to give back. I'm going to offer a lot of prizes and awesome experiences to these players.  I'm getting really excited about all of the stuff I'm going to be able to put in these kids' hands.  

Our sponsors have really opened their arms to this camp. Players can win extra T-shirts, four-packs of tickets to a LA Galaxy game, four-packs of tickets to a Chivas USA game, family dinner at a sponsored restaurant, mini balls, and signed jerseys from MLS & USMNT stars. There will be a "Camper of the Week," but every player all will be able to walk away with something. Players will also be able to win national jerseys from top foreign countries.  We're bringing together top coaches and players from MLS, NCAA, and the U.S. National Team, all right here in San Diego.

SN:  Care to share any names?

Roy Lassiter: Cobi Jones and Frankie Hejduk will be at the camp. These men bring experience from NCAA Div 1, MLS, USMNT, as well as professional experience in England and Brazil.  That depth of experience can't be found at any other camp in San Diego. There are other Major League Soccer (MLS) stars, and I'll be announcing those names soon.  (Cobi Jones is in the Soccer Hall of Fame.)

SN:  What is the main focus of the camp?

Roy Lassiter: Any field player in any position needs to be 1v1 dominant. That means technical and tactical skill needs to be there on instinct -- not something you have to stop & think about.  

I talk a lot about being 1v1 dominant. Well, all players aren't the greatest at taking on opponents. I want my camp to help with that, because every player can be 1v1 dominant. It's a matter of being more creative and having more confidence with the ball -- providing tools that will enhance the player's ability and creativity. Players who put in the effort will see their technical ball skills and tactical awareness skyrocket.

SN:  Sounds intense.  Is this a good camp for all ages?

Roy Lassiter: I guess I can be intense, ya?  I'm very passionate about an emphasis on technical ball skills and 1v1 dominance, but a player who's not having any fun will never improve.  This camp is about having fun in an environment that allows players to have many touches on the ball. Improving players' technical ball skill in a fun and relaxed environment gives the players freedom to express themselves.  Look at the Brazilian National Team players. They always look like they're having fun out there on the field. That relaxed but highly skilled environment lets their creativity and ball skills flourish. Players at my camp will combine their skills, their enjoyment, and their creativity into a whole new level of play that they can take back to their teams after the camp is over. We will also attempt to correct bad habits and give players the right tools to take home.

Coaching will be age-specific, and we'll take players as young as U8, up to U18.  Of course we won't expect the same strength and speed from all ages, but every age will be pushed to improve while keeping the training age-appropriate.  The younger kids [U8-U10] will have a half-day camp.  Older players [U11-U18] will have a full-day camp.

SN:  Are players from any club or league welcome to register?

 

 

Roy Lassiter: I'm bringing in coaches from all over Southern California and all over the country. (laughing...) It wasn't hard to convince them to spend a week in San Diego. But seriously, this is open to kids of all ages from all clubs.  If any parent or coach has concerns about their players getting outside coaching, I welcome their phone calls and emails.  I have an "open door" policy, and I don't want to step on anyone's toes.  

My camp is all about individual improvement, not team tactics.  We won't be creating strategy for the best 4-4-2 formation. We'll be improving individual skills and 1v1 dominance.  That's something that every player will be able to take back to their team, and the team will be better for it.

SN:  Let's have some details.  Dates? Times? Cost? How do people sign up?

Roy Lassiter: Parents can register their players online.  The camp is Tuesday July 5 thru Friday July 8.  U8-U10 will be 9am-noon.  U11-U18 will be 9am-4pm.  The half-day camp is $175, and the full day camp is $275.  We have a "lunch included" option so full-day campers can have Subway & pizza lunch provided for an extra $30.

SN:  Thanks so much.  Any parting thoughts?

Roy Lassiter: This is going to be a really fun camp, and I'm really looking forward to it.  If players or coaches have any questions for me, send me an email.

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