Competitive Edge, which concludes its ninth running today at noon, is organized to provide something for players at every age level, from 7-18, to learn and refine their skills in preparation for high school and/or collegiate soccer.
Younger campers from elementary through junior high school ages rotate from station to station every few minutes on one field, where they are coached and drilled in various fundamental techniques and scenarios by coaches from the CVSC.
“I think it will teach me a lot of stuff I need to know,” said 11-year old Dylan Harraw of La Cañada, who attended the camp for the first time this year. “Every different day we’re working on something else and [Wednesday] it was just passing. It’s definitely challenging.”
Said Olivia Bird, 13, a fourth-year camper from Glendale: “All the coaches are really nice and they’re funny and they teach you a lot and we’re working hard. It just helps me overall.”
High school age campers, a group which includes players Rivas coaches and has coached against from schools such as Saugus, La Cañada and Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, occupy the complex’s other field.
There they scrimmage under the eye of CVSC Technical Director Dave De Hart and guests such as college coaches and former college and professional players, while breaking down what they’ve learned in the flow of a game-like situation.
Topics of focus included maintaining team possession, individual ball control and team defense.
