British soccer basics

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Challenger Sports British Soccer Camp instructor Charlie Howe points to the other side of the field during a game on Monday afternoon at the Andalusia Sports Complex. | Andrew Garner/Star-News

Passing. Dribbling. Defense.

These are just a few things campers are learning this week at the Challenger Sports British Soccer Camp at the Andalusia Sports Complex.

European instructors will coach students ages 3-10 on the basics of soccer.

Charlie Howe, of London, England, said the primary focus this week is to give the campers “skill” in the game.

“We want to be able to improve the kids’ soccer skills,” Howel said. “The kids love it, and we want to leave them with that — a love of the game.”

On Monday, campers learned the basics in dribbling. Today, campers will learn about passing and receiving; Wednesday will be for shooting; Thursday will be for defense; and Friday will be a fun day for the campers, Howe said.

The camp will run until this Friday, and every day from 9 a.m. until noon, campers ages 6-10 participate in the half-day time slot. Campers ages 3-4 participate in the 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. time slot each night.

This is the sixth camp Howe and Robert Bailey — the other instructor of Birmingham, England — have instructed this summer.

They worked the first part of the summer in Florida, and moved up to Georgia before coming to Alabama.

“We love it here,” Howe said. “This is a great facility.”