Elite Position Specific Camp

The methodology applied by world-class clubs is now available to you at the National Sports Center! Maximize position-specific skills in our unique camp!

Positions Offered:
– Elite Goalkeeper Camp
– Elite Defender Camp
– Elite Midfielder Camp
– Elite Striker Camp

Refund Policy
Surcharge Fee
The National Sports Center has instituted a 2% surcharge on all submitted card payments. The Surcharge is NON-REFUNDABLE. Customers can avoid the fee by paying with an e-check online at the time of registration.

Deposit:
Full fee due at time of registration

Refund Policy
Payment, refund and cancellation policy:

No refunds or credits for missed or 1/2 days.
No refunds on cancellations.
Refunds due to health issues will be handled on a case by case basis.
All other refunds will be considered on a case by case basis.
All refund requests are subject to a $50 administrative fee.

Program Cancellation Policy
The following policy will be enacted IF a program hosted by the National Sports Center MUST be canceled by the directives of the State of Minnesota or the Minnesota Department of Health. Please know that our top priority on making decisions moving forward will be the safety and health of our participants, coaches, employees, and spectators.

Participants will receive a refund for your program entry. Participant registration refunds will be processed at 100% of the registration total.

Position-specific training session run by experienced coaches

Morning video analysis session

Afternoon guest speaker session

High-performance equipment available

Camp ball included

T-shirt for every participant

Photo for club or recruiting purposes included

Camp Certificate and Evaluation

Mark Weigand – MS, DPT, CSCS

Bio: Mark Weigand, MS, PT, DPT, CSCS, received his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from Trine University. He played Division I soccer at the University of Denver where he graduated with a BA in Biology. Following his playing career, he returned to D1 coaching as the graduate assistant for the men’s soccer program at SIUE where he graduated with MS in Kinesiology. Mark utilizes an evidence-based approach that combines hands-on therapy with corrective exercise to achieve optimal outcomes and sports performance for patients. He has a personal interest in treating all sports medicine injuries with a specific focus on soccer rehabilitation and injury prevention.

Santiago Figueyra – Sports Psychologist

Santiago is from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and played soccer since he was 4. At his early 20’s he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree and soon after accomplished his Ontological Coaching Certification. He has worked several years in Human Resources for some of the largest companies in the world, such as Nalco Water and ExxonMobil. With more than 10 years of experience in the field he went back to school and became a Community Health Assistant. He now works in a Public Hospital in the Mental Health Teenager Division. Currently he is finishing a sports specialization degree in psychology with the intention of further comprehending the competitive sports mind.

Krista Jordheim – DTR Program Director and Dietetics Instructor

Leonardo Barbosa – Goalkeepers Coach
From Minas Gerais, Brazil
US Soccer Federation (USSF) “B” License (in progress)
United Soccer Coaches (USC) Advanced National Diploma
USC Premier Diploma
USC Goalkeeper Level 1&2 Diploma
USC Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma
10+ years of coaching experience in all levels including collegiate
Current NPSL Med City GK Coach
MN Rush Technical Director

Volmir Lima dos Santos
Over 20+ years coaching experience
Masters in Teaching and Training Pedagogy of Sports and Collective Games
Youth Academy Coaching Experience
Former playing experience in Brazil
Expertise in Futsal

Jared Rice – Midfielders Camp
10 years coaching experience
U11-13 Director at Twin Cities Rush
USSF B License
USC Premier Diploma
USYS National Youth License
USC Technical Development Diploma

Greg Wheaton – Strikers Coach
From Minas Gerais, Brazil
University of Northwestern Men’s Head Coach
UMAC Tournament Champion
Coaches All-American nominated players
NCAA D1 Former player
Minnesota Thunder Playing Experience
International School of Soccer Excellence (ISSE) Owner
TC Sala Coach

GK role on a soccer team goes beyond staying under the post and trying to save shots. As a player that sees the whole field, goalkeepers need foot skills to assist defenders in the buildup phase, tactical knowledge to organize and communicate with the defensive line, and technical skills to act during the most important phases of the game.

GK Training Focus: 1v1 situations, diving, crosses, positioning, and distribution, low ball, high balls, and technique

Central and outside defenders need excellent game understanding to anticipate the opponent’s movement, cover the midfielders, and position during crosses and set pieces. Modern defenders are hardly fooled by attackers and have great game understanding to make precise runs and execute tackles.

Defenders Training Focus: Positioning, 1v1 defending, tackling, shielding, crossing, communication, heading, and building up from the back.

Midfielders must be consistently focused on the game in order to perform well and find spaces to play. Scanning and monitoring the space is an essential quality of a top midfielder, as well as the ability to control the tempo of the game and dictate play.

Midfielder Training Focus: 1v1, scanning spaces, breaking lines, switching sides, stepping on the box, throw balls, finishing

The times when striker stayed in between the defenders and only participate in balls inside the box have past. Modern strikers and outside midfielders have great tactical knowledge to position for infiltration, through balls and crossing; technical skills for shooting, heading, dribbling, and turning, and great decision making to maximize scoring opportunities

Striker Training Focus: Placement shooting, 1v1 attacking, diagonal runs, crosses, volleying, heading, turning, and positioning

*Modern offensive and outside midfielders get in the box to score and participate closely in attacking opportunities, so this camp is applicable to these positions

What should I bring to camp?</strong?
Participants should bring the following items:
Water bottles or sports drinks
Sunscreen
Shin guards
Lunch and snacks
Soccer ball
White T-shirt, black shorts and soccer preferred, but not necessary

Do I need to play in development academy and higher level teams?
No. Coaches will adapt to each player according to the specific position and needs. Players are only required to be striving to improve in a specific position.

What’s the player-coach ratio?
As our drive to provide one on one coaching, which lacks on club training sessions, we will try to keep a 1-8 coach and player ratio.

Who are the coaches?
The camp will be conducted by coaches that work on college or DA level and have both coaching and playing experience on either pro, semi-pro, and college level in the specific position.