"Every Journey Starts with a Small Step"
Why we stress the psychological dimension of the sport at the Lady Blue Devil soccer camp..
“The psychological pillar may be one of the most important and least attended to of all aspects of a soccer player. Most athletes cite their emotions and their mental state as the key variable in their performance. Working on your mental skills is critical to the success of an athlete. It is at least as important, and perhaps more important, as technique, understanding tactical nuances of the game, or physically conditioning yourself for the demands of the game. Unlike how fast you run, or whether or not the coach plays you, you can work on and improve many of the psychological dimensions of your game." Lauren Greg, Former National Team Coach
“The psychological pillar may be one of the most important and least attended to of all aspects of a soccer player. Most athletes cite their emotions and their mental state as the key variable in their performance. Working on your mental skills is critical to the success of an athlete. It is at least as important, and perhaps more important, as technique, understanding tactical nuances of the game, or physically conditioning yourself for the demands of the game. Unlike how fast you run, or whether or not the coach plays you, you can work on and improve many of the psychological dimensions of your game." Lauren Greg, Former National Team Coach
as written by a 2009 Lady Blue Devil when asked what she learned during the season...
"I learned that I have a voice. That people would listen to me, follow me and respect me. I can make a difference. I did make a difference. I learned that leading means being patient and learning to deal with different personalities. You can't get far without pain, without strain, without being motivated. I learned that sometimes you need to dig deep and push yourself past your limit through tears and chest pain. I learned nothing is impossible. Nothing matters more to me than my team, my family."
"I learned that I have a voice. That people would listen to me, follow me and respect me. I can make a difference. I did make a difference. I learned that leading means being patient and learning to deal with different personalities. You can't get far without pain, without strain, without being motivated. I learned that sometimes you need to dig deep and push yourself past your limit through tears and chest pain. I learned nothing is impossible. Nothing matters more to me than my team, my family."
Character Building
(3rd & 4th Grade)
The focus at the Character Building camp is to encourage every camper to believe in themselves and reach for the stars. By doing these things not only will our campers achieve their goals, but will become exactly who they want to be -- someone who deserves and receives the respect of family, friends, and peers.
Grade 3
Campers at this age will listen to stories, discuss and complete activities on such character building topics as ACCEPTANCE, BULLYING, PERSEVERANCE, & FRIENDSHIP
Grade 4
Campers at this age will listen to stories, discuss and complete activities on such character building topics such as ACCEPTANCE, BULLYING, COMPASSION, LOYALTY, & SELF DISCIPLINE
Grade 3
Campers at this age will listen to stories, discuss and complete activities on such character building topics as ACCEPTANCE, BULLYING, PERSEVERANCE, & FRIENDSHIP
Grade 4
Campers at this age will listen to stories, discuss and complete activities on such character building topics such as ACCEPTANCE, BULLYING, COMPASSION, LOYALTY, & SELF DISCIPLINE
Empowering Leaders Camp
(5th-9th Grade)
Our focus at the Empowering Leaders camp is to teach our campers the ingredients it takes to be a leader on the field and a leader in life. Our campers get the best of both worlds: they learn soccer from some of the best alumni Westfield soccer has to offer and they are exposed to a multitude of leadership concepts they can cultivate for life. Areas of leadership that will be discussed may include the following:
Self
"We are what we repeatedly do; excellence then is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle
rLeaders recognize that there are many different types of successful leaders who all have the following traits in common; confidence, self-discipline, self-respect, and respect for others.
"What is right is more important than who is right" - John Wooden
Leaders on any team must have courage to be a good listener, communicator, and must be able to make decisions that can affect team chemistry.
School
"You must be what you want your followers to become." - Dean Smith
Leaders recognize that they are accountable for who they are and what they do. They must overcome obstacles that may impede good leadership.
Mapmaking
“Excellence is accomplished though deliberate actions, ordinary in themselves, performed consistently and carefully, made into habits. Compounded together, added up over time.” – Anson Dorrance
Goal Setters perform better. However, just establishing the goal does not accomplish the goal. The missing ingredient is the map. The goal represents the leader's dreams; the map is the vehicle for making the dream a reality
Self
"We are what we repeatedly do; excellence then is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle
rLeaders recognize that there are many different types of successful leaders who all have the following traits in common; confidence, self-discipline, self-respect, and respect for others.
- Confidence is simply a choice by choosing the attitude "I commit".
- Self-Discipline is the training and control of one's self and one's conduct, usually for personal improvement. When practicing self-discipline you agree to live within the limits created not only by yourself but also those created by others.
- To be selfless you must put the team in front of you.
"What is right is more important than who is right" - John Wooden
Leaders on any team must have courage to be a good listener, communicator, and must be able to make decisions that can affect team chemistry.
- Communication is the key to success. Teammates are more likely to listen to you if you listen to them first.
- The only wrong decision is making no decision at all.
- Courage is the ability to face your fears with determination and confidence.
School
"You must be what you want your followers to become." - Dean Smith
Leaders recognize that they are accountable for who they are and what they do. They must overcome obstacles that may impede good leadership.
- Perseverance is the act or quality of holding to a course of action, belief, or purpose.
- Be true to yourself. You know what's right. Don't let others decide things for you.
- Involve yourself in the needs of others
Mapmaking
“Excellence is accomplished though deliberate actions, ordinary in themselves, performed consistently and carefully, made into habits. Compounded together, added up over time.” – Anson Dorrance
Goal Setters perform better. However, just establishing the goal does not accomplish the goal. The missing ingredient is the map. The goal represents the leader's dreams; the map is the vehicle for making the dream a reality
- Guidelines for effective goal setting.
- Holding yourself accountable for your goals.
- Distinguishing the difference between goals and dreams