In addition, it is a position that requires a great sense of responsibility and pressure management, since any mistake can cause an opposing goal and seriously damage a team’s aspirations of victory.
For this reason, the world’s major institutions and clubs have special camps for soccer goalkeepers, reviewing all the knowledge and tools necessary to train elite goalkeepers.
Logically, being a very different position from the rest, goalkeepers need very different training sessions, with particular exercises for them and exercises that improve their reflexes, reaction capacity, coordination and other important factors to defend the goal.
For this reason, in this post we will show you the 7 best soccer goalkeepers camps in the United States; a country where soccer continues to grow by leaps and bounds and that is sending more and more gems to the elite of European soccer.
Great goalkeepers like Iker Casillas, Gianluigi Buffon or Thibaut Courtois also started from scratch in camps and academies until they reached their highest level after much effort and training.
Ranking of the best soccer camps for goalkeepers in the USA.
- Best High Performance Goalkeeper Camp in the United States: F.C Barcelona in Arizona.
- Best High Performance Goalkeeper Camp in Miami: PSG Academy.
- Best Private Goalkeeper Camp: IMG Academy.
- Star Goalkeeper Academy.
- Coerver Coaching Goalkeeper Camps.
- Elite Goalkeeper Academy.
- Top Flight Goalkeeping Camp.
what type of soccer goalkeeper camp to choose?
The academies and organizations that organize these camps divide them into two types or modalities, which are adapted to the goalkeepers’ level of play.
There are high performance camps for soccer goalkeepers and also summer camps for goalkeepers; both with their virtues and differences between them. Let’s see what they are about.
High Performance Camps for goalkeepers.
High Performance camps have intensive and demanding training sessions. In addition, they are 100% focused on improving the goalkeepers’ soccer skills and their performance on the field.
In these camps there is also a strong emphasis on physical conditioning, strategic analysis and competitive spirit; to provide goalkeepers with everything they need to perform at the highest level in pressure situations.
These camps are recommended for upper-intermediate to elite level players. Ideal for those goalkeepers who have shown enough ambition and talent to reach the professional level and feel they have the conviction to achieve all their goals in soccer.
- High intensity and physically demanding training sessions.
- Sessions focused on technique, tactics and all the sections that a goalkeeper needs to perform at the highest level.
- Certified coaches with vast experience in the world of soccer and youth training.
- Up to 20 hours of training per week.
- First class facilities with accommodation and meals included.
- Physical conditioning routines and lectures are also included.
- Comprehensive experience that also reviews the importance of mental health and nutrition in high-level sport.
- Talks on the use of gloves and other accessories.
On the other hand, although the absolute priority of these camps is the soccer section, they also include moments of leisure and recreation for the kids, but as a secondary incentive.
The boys have the opportunity to visit historical sites near the camp facilities, large university institutions or do other types of secondary activities such as hiking or a visit to an amusement park.
Of course, it should be made clear that the vast majority of the time of these high performance camps is spent on training, recovery sessions and everything related to the sports field.
At the same time, these camps also allow for the possibility of including language classes. The environment of a multicultural camp, with people of different nationalities, is ideal for learning a new language and developing communication skills.
In general terms, a high performance camp is a very complete experience dedicated primarily to sport; it serves as an unbeatable opportunity to improve the goalkeepers’ skills and insert them into a quasi-professional environment to familiarize them with high-level sport.
Summer camps for soccer goalkeepers.
Summer soccer goalkeeper camps present a more holistic and entertaining experience for all soccer players and fans around the world.
These camps are recommended for beginner to upper-intermediate level players to enjoy extraordinary summer experiences while expanding their passion for their favorite sport.
They are also an excellent opportunity to learn about the history, playing philosophy and official facilities of the club organizing the camp, so they can see what the day-to-day life of a professional athlete is like.
Of course, the main focus of these summer camps is the recreation of the children. Therefore, soccer development takes a back seat to the excursions, field trips and educational activities that take place at these events.
However, these camps include training sessions led by certified coaches who review the basics of soccer, especially technical and tactical concepts on the field.
- Goalkeeper soccer camp focused on recreation, entertainment and development of the kids.
- Aimed at players from beginner to upper-intermediate level.
- Up to 20 hours of training per week.
- Training sessions guided by certified coaches.
- Multiple recreational activities such as excursions, field trips, concerts, sightseeing and more.
- Include lodging and meals for the kids.
As in high-performance camps, summer camps can also include language classes.
This way, in addition to having fun with activities and soccer, your child can also invest his or her summer vacation time in learning a new language and expressing him or herself better in English, something that will help him or her a lot in the future.
In general, these camps are recommended for goalkeepers who will live their first experience of this kind, away from home. As it is not such an intensive event, the kids have the possibility to adapt more easily and enjoy the whole itinerary of activities together with their teammates, without pressure.
Therefore, the choice of the type of camp depends on the soccer level of your child and also the expectations you have about this experience.
Now, having clarified all this, we leave you with a list of the Best Goalkeeper Camps in the United States ( Florida , Arizona, etc); located in different cities and offered by very prestigious institutions worldwide.
#1. Best High Performance Goalkeeper Camp in the United States: F.C Barcelona in Arizona.
F.C Barcelona has a High Performance Barca Camp that takes place in its academy in Arizona, United States.
The Catalan institution is known worldwide for being a hotbed of stars that produced great figures such as Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez and Sergio Busquets, among many others.
In addition, it has also left us with very good goalkeepers such as Victor Valdés and more recently others such as Iñaki Peña, current second goalkeeper of the club; or Arnau Tenas, signed by PSG.
Directed by certified coaches and under the La Masia method, this goalkeeping camp is an elite level experience that presents the aspiring goalkeepers with all the indispensable tools to become a top goalkeeper in soccer.
Key aspects of the F.C Barcelona High Performance Goalkeeping Camp.
- For goalkeepers from 10 to 17 years old.
- Elite level coaches: The F.C Barcelona academy has a qualified and experienced staff in the training areas of soccer.
- Guarantee of success: In this academy in Arizona, players such as Julián Araujo and Sam Gleadle have been trained as professionals.
- Multicultural experience: The camp presents a plural environment with people of different nationalities and an inclusive environment, in which no player is discriminated against and everyone is integrated into the group dynamics.
- High-intensity training: With more than 20 hours of training per week, the sessions are very intense and encourage high competitiveness among participants.
- Physical work: The coaches place special emphasis on the players’ physical preparation and injury prevention.
- Talks on mental health and management of success and failure.
- Language classes can be added.
where do the boys stay?
F.C Barcelona uses the facilities at the Grande Sports World complex in Arizona. This large facility is set up with 8 soccer fields, student residence and all the relevant areas for player training and development, such as an Athlete Performance Center.
The boys stay in double rooms with private bathroom, Wi-Fi and cleaning service. In addition, they can enjoy common areas such as lounges, video game area, ping-pong room and more.
In terms of food, a diet of three meals per day is offered with the right to a snack in the afternoons. Special dietary modifications can be made in case of intolerances, allergies or dietary preferences.
Transforming dreams into goals
#2. Best Goalkeeper Performance Camp in Miami: PSG Academy.
PSG High-Performance Summer Soccer Camp is another club that is investing a lot of effort and money in diversifying its training areas in different countries around the world. For this reason, it has a very modern and high quality academy in Virginia, USA.
Its camp for high performance goalkeepers is a great option for all the kids in the area, as it has certified coaches sent directly from the PSG Foundation of France.
Exponents such as Mike Maignan, current goalkeeper of A.C. Milan, are a sample of the quality of training that the academies of the club, one of the most economically powerful in Europe today, have.
Key aspects of PSG’s High Performance Goalkeeping Camp.
- Aimed at goalkeepers aged 10 to 18.
- High level of intensity in their training, with a high competitive pace and high physical demand.
- Focused on the technical and tactical development of goalkeepers.
- Emphasis on set pieces.
- First class facilities with multiple artificial turf fields.
- Multicultural and inclusive environment.
- Optional language classes.
- Lectures on mental health and sports psychology.
where do the goalkeepers stay?
The boys stay at the four-star rated Hilton Dadeland Hotel. They stay in single rooms with private bathrooms, housekeeping service and Wi-Fi internet access.
At the same time, a balanced diet with three meals and the right to a snack is guaranteed within the camp plan.
Environments supervised 24 hours a day by the camp staff. The hotel is only 15 minutes away from the Academy facilities, so all transfers are very short and safe.
Transforming dreams into goals
#3. Best Private Goalkeeper Camp: IMG Academy.
The IMG Academy is a prestigious institution in soccer player training around the world. In the United States, it is based in Bradenton, Florida.
Currently, its summer camp program also allows the attendance of goalkeepers; with the possibility of booking short, medium and long term programs.
As a private institution, the academy maintains a close relationship with various MLS clubs and scouts from around the world, ensuring visibility to the most outstanding players.
Its coaches have technological tools and video analysis to detail each player’s strengths, weaknesses and aspects to be corrected.
Key aspects of the IMG Academy Goalkeeper Camp.
- For players and goalkeepers from 9 to 18 years old.
- Very effective and unique training plan of the academy.
- Great relationship with European teams and connection to do annual tryouts in big clubs.
- Coaches certified by the academy and international bodies.
- Integral experience that mixes high competitive level with recreational activities.
- Physical conditioning and mental health care for players.
- Academy with more than 40 years of experience in player training.
- Extensive scouting network.
- First class facilities.
- Offers lodging and meals.
- Optional language classes for all students.
Transforming dreams into goals
#4. Star Goalkeeper Academy.
Located in Connecticut, the Star Goalkeeper Academy has specialized camps for goalkeepers of all ages.
In addition, their programs are also divided depending on the level of the kids; with the intention of ensuring the proper development of the skills of each of the players.
It offers personalized training and intensive programs at different times of the year to adapt to the calendar.
SGA has high-level coaches and high-paced training sessions adapted to the level of the goalkeepers.
Key aspects of the Star Goalkeeper Academy Goalkeeper Camp.
- For goalkeepers of all ages.
- Programs that adapt to the level of the goalkeepers.
- Camps in different cities around the country.
- Training focused on improving the goalkeepers’ agility and positioning.
- 35 years of experience.
- Special focus on decision making.
- Development of the game with the feet and clean start.
Transforming dreams into goals
#5. Coerver Coaching Goalkeeper Camps.
This camp program is one of the most popular in the United States, as its reach extends throughout the country, offering opportunities at different times of the year.
Its main focus is the development of the goalkeepers’ technical skills, reviewing all the movements and routines that must be done before and during the games.
At the same time, one of the pillars of the experience of this camp is that they focus on increasing the self-confidence of the boys, with talks that strengthen their mentality in the face of adversity.
Key aspects of the Coerver Coaching Goalkeeper Camps Goalkeeper Camp.
- Programs for goalkeepers of all ages.
- Training focused on improving technique.
- Sessions dedicated not only to the game with the hands, but also to ball control with the feet and long range shots.
- Review of tactics and game situations.
- Cultivate the mental approach of goalkeepers.
Transforming dreams into goals
#6. Elite Goalkeeper Academy.
As its name suggests, the Elite Goalkeeper Academy is an excellent option for top-level goalkeepers who want to continue polishing their skills.
Their main camps are held in New England; although they offer programs sporadically in other states of the country.
The training methodology is orchestrated to improve technical skills, reflexes and the handling of pressure situations within games.
Key aspects of the Elite Goalkeeper Academy Goalkeeper Camp.
- Aimed at high level or elite goalkeepers.
- Focused on developing advanced technical skills for goalkeepers.
- Development of reflexes and correct decision making.
- Emphasis on the mentality to solve in pressure situations.
- International level coaches.
- Camps in different locations in the country.
Transforming dreams into goals
#7. Top Flight Goalkeeping Camp.
Our last recommendation is the Top Flight Goalkeeping Camp for goalkeepers of all ages, held in Bel Air, Maryland.
The academy’s methodology has trainings focused solely on technique and others focused on tactics; so that the goalkeeper can develop both sections of his soccer skills.
The training sessions seek to develop the physical, mental and emotional skills of the goalkeepers; encouraging self-confidence and mental agility to solve complicated situations in a matter of seconds.
- Top level trainers.
- Designed for goalkeepers who want to improve their performance in high-pressure situations.
- Training to develop technical aspects and internalize team tactics.
- Set pieces.
- Physical, mental and emotional care for goalkeepers.
Transforming dreams into goals
Choose the best soccer goalkeeper camp for your child.
The United States is a country that offers many possibilities in terms of soccer camps for goalkeepers.
With our recommendations you already have a much clearer picture of the best programs and most prestigious institutions that are currently operating in the North American nation.
In order to make a good decision on this matter, what remains to be done is to consult your child’s interests and take into account his or her level of play.
This way, you will be able to decide whether to send your child to a High Performance Goalkeeper Camp or a Summer Camp, which is more focused on recreation and fun.
