Sporting KC hosts shooting and finishing camp for young area soccer players

Some small-sized cleats kicked off the first of six Sporting KC summer camps this week.

Soccer players ages 6-14 spent four days dribbling down the MLS team’s training grounds at the Swope Soccer Village.

The first group of players, ages 6-11, took the field at 9 a.m. Wednesday morning for their third day of camp. An hour and 30 minutes later, the campers were escorted to the front-most field in the complex to watch the Swope Park Rangers train with Sporting KC’s staff. At 1 p.m., a second group, comprised of 12- to 14-year-olds, arrived and followed the same routine.

This week’s “Shooting and Finishing” clinic pushed campers to score goals with more technicality than a big kick. The drills encouraged campers to learn the difference between concepts such as placement and power and left foot versus right foot, camp organizer Tyler McManus said.

“We definitely want to challenge kids,” McManus said. “We want to make sure they’re thinking about what they’re doing.”

To ensure the young athletes stayed focused, McManus littered their path to the goal with obstacles. Players hopped five mini-hurdles and weaved through cones before they could go for the goal.

The Sporting KC camp series turns its attention to the Overland Park Soccer Complex on Monday for a second summer camp concentrated on dribbling and passing. It’s open to boys and girls ages 4-14.

This story was originally published June 9, 2016 at 7:45 PM with the headline "Sporting KC hosts shooting and finishing camp for young area soccer players."