The recent foundation of Inter Miami F.C., with the main investment of ex-footballer David Beckham, has been one of the great incentives for soccer to be one of the most relevant topics for citizens in the streets.
In addition, the arrival of Lionel Messi, followed by figures such as Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, have raised the quality of the team, which will even go on to play against the best teams in the world in the next Club World Cup.
Similarly, Orlando City has also represented the soccer development of the state for years. Currently, they have several Spanish-speaking players on their roster, such as Pedro Gallese, goalkeeper of the Peruvian national team, as well as the Colombian striker Luis Fernando Muriel and the Uruguayan Facundo Torres.
This whole soccer environment is very favorable for the boys who want to start developing their skills as soccer players and aim for the professional level in the future. This reality allows them to see high-level soccer very close to them, to create references to follow and also to visualize their dream of making a living from the sport as something possible.
In general terms, soccer continues to gain relevance throughout the country, exporting players to the most important leagues in Europe and raising the level of the U.S. National Team, after a few years of stumbles and inaccuracies.
For all these reasons, the United States is considered an excellent country to start a player’s soccer career, to train in a competitive environment and to use it as a springboard to reach the old continent.
Aspiring goalkeepers (and also outfield players) can find in Florida camps and academies where they can train and compete against other players, led by certified coaches and with very solid training methods.
So in this post we will show you the 7 best goalkeeper camps in Florida. This way, you as a parent will already have a clearer idea of the path your child should follow to improve his or her qualities as a goalkeeper.
Best 7 Goalkeeper Camps in Florida
- Best High Performance Camp: IMG Academy.
- Arsenal Campus in Tallahassee.
- F.C Barcelona Soccer Camp.
- Real Madrid C.F Miami Soccer Camp.
- Orlando City FC Soccer Camp.
- Nike Soccer Camps.
- Florida Elite Soccer Academy.
Types of Soccer Goalkeeper Camps in Florida
High Performance Modality
The High Performance Camps for Goalkeepers are the best option for those goalkeepers of high/elite level who want to continue training and polishing their skills to make their professional debut.
These camps are focused primarily on soccer, with a very marked training methodology and focused on improving the most important facets that a goalkeeper must have on the field.
The kids are trained by certified coaches with long experience teaching and training players, in high-intensity and physically demanding training sessions that make them raise their potential to the next level.
At the same time, the competitive level is much higher than in a summer or recreational camp. This situation exposes players to an ideal environment in which to test their skills, face high-level peers and constantly learn.
The training plan of the High Performance Camps is mostly focused on technique, especially in the case of goalkeepers.
The coaches follow a special plan for goalkeepers that allows them to review basic, medium and advanced movements in order to improve their reaction capacity, range of action of their saves, coordination of movements and decision making when it comes to stopping a shot or releasing an opponent’s cross.
Of course, all of this is combined with intense footwork training. In today’s soccer, goalkeepers must have good touch skills to be the first link in the team’s playmaking. This is a factor that is also given special attention in these camps.
Tactics, on the other hand, are practiced so that the boys know how to position themselves in and out of the goal in different game situations. In modern soccer, it is not enough to stay only under the three posts, it is necessary to have a higher range of action to get out of the area and cut off dangerous passes to the strikers.
All this, in an environment with modern facilities and a diet designed for high-performance sport, makes for an ideal experience for young aspiring professional goalkeepers.
In addition, some camps include excursions or guided tours that do not interfere with training times. Optional language classes can also be scheduled.
- Aimed at high-level young talents who want to continue improving their skills.
- High intensity and physically rigorous training.
- Special plan to strengthen the technical skills of goalkeepers.
- Emphasis on decision making.
- Talks on sports psychology and the importance of nutrition to perform at the highest level.
Summer or Recreational Goalkeeper Camps in Florida
Now, summer camps for goalkeepers in Florida are recommended for kids from beginner to intermediate level, who want to live a soccer experience that is combined with other recreational and leisure activities.
In the summer camps, fun and recreation are the priority, with soccer as the core of the whole event.
For this reason, the competitive level and physical demands are not as high as in a high performance camp, creating an ideal environment for children who still have a high learning margin in soccer.
The training sessions are guided by certified and highly qualified personnel. Training methods that review basic and intermediate notions of soccer technique and tactics are followed.
For goalkeepers, special plans are applied that teach them how to save the ball, the movements they must make when diving to stop a shot or how to calculate the trajectory of the ball when it is in the air, to cite specific examples.
All of this is practiced in a pleasant learning environment, encouraging a healthy competitive spirit and from a perspective that aims to link sports with fun, so that the children feel motivated to continue training and developing.
In addition, all the camp staff ensures the integration of all the kids to the activities, helping those who are more shy or distrustful at the beginning.
Contrary to what happens in high-performance camps, excursions and extra-football trips are a fundamental aspect of the experience.
The kids can visit spectacular amusement parks, natural landscapes, go hiking, visit historical sites in the city or participate in an evening of music.
The aim is for the kids to have an experience that allows them to de-stress from their daily routine and take advantage of the summer or another time of the year to experience something different, away from their cell phones and social networks that consume so much of their time nowadays.
- Soccer camp with a recreational and fun approach.
- Training for beginner to intermediate level players.
- Excursions and field trips as a fundamental part of the experience.
- Ideal for goalkeepers who are experiencing their first camp or adventure away from home.
What type of goalkeeper camp is best
To know which type of goalkeeper camp is best for your child, it’s best to analyze your child’s own abilities and the expectations they may have for the experience.
High-performance camps are aimed at elite-level goalkeepers who are looking to push themselves above and beyond the norm to improve and reach their full potential in a highly competitive environment.
Their counterpart, the summer camps, are more relaxed experiences in which soccer is learned in a calmer environment and without so many pressures.
Here we leave you a comparative table with their differences so that you can decide which camp is the most suitable for your future soccer player.
| Characteristics | High Performance | Summer Camp |
| Soccer level | High/elite. | Beginner/intermediate. |
| Focus | Competitive. | Recreational. |
| Physical demand | High. | Medium. |
| Walks and excursions | Secondary activities. | Priority. |
| Training intensity | High intensity. | Medium intensity. |
Best 7 Goalkeeper Camps in Florida
1. Best High Performance Goalkeeper Camp: IMG Academy
The IMG Academy is a prestigious institution with several years of experience training soccer players in Florida and around the world.
The IMG Campus has a very comprehensive training program that prepares players for entry into the academies of high caliber clubs around the world, with a scouting network that gives the kids a lot of visibility.
It offers programs that can last from just one week to the entire summer. This high-performance program includes residence, classroom and access to state-of-the-art sports facilities.
- Academy founded in 1978 with a training method that has evolved and proven its effectiveness over the years.
- For goalkeepers or players (boys or girls) from 9 to 18 years old.
- High intensity and physically demanding training.
- Individual development plan and on-campus skill testing.
- Certified coaches and former players on staff.
- Optional language classes.
- Includes residence and meals.
where do the kids stay?
Soccer players are housed in the IMG Academy‘s Ascender Hall of Residence. The facility has quadruple rooms with private bathrooms. There are also common areas, recreation rooms and more.
Its sports facilities are only a 5-minute walk from the residence, which facilitates all transfers and adds security to the whole experience.
Food included with special menus for vegetarians, vegans, gluten intolerant or allergic to certain foods.
Transforming dreams into goals
2. Arsenal Campus in Tallahassee
Arsenal is one of the clubs with the longest tradition of player development. Since its founding in 1886, it has become home to thousands upon thousands of top players who develop under the club’s philosophy.
Now, the club is offering a camp in Tallahassee, Florida. The club’s idea is to recruit young talent from the United States to hone their skills in a week-long camp.
Their method of tactical periodization instills in the boys the Gunners‘ idea of attacking play and quick transitions, with an emphasis on teamwork and creating scoring situations.
- 5 days of training with Arsenal’s official coaches.
- Exercises focused on improving the boys’ offensive and defensive skills.
- Special plan for goalkeepers.
- Certificate of completion of the camp.
Transforming dreams into goals
3. F.C Barcelona Summer Camp
The F.C Barcelona Academy in Florida offers camps at different times of the year, following the ideology of La Masia in their training.
It has coaches certified by the club, recognized worldwide for developing young players such as Lamine Yamal or Gavi, currently players of their first team.
Its programs are of short duration, one week or less, with different options in Miami.
- For children of all ages.
- Short duration programs.
- Coaches certified by the Catalan club.
- Tactical periodization training method supervised by the team’s youth academy.
- Different dates throughout the year.
Transforming dreams into goals
4. Real Madrid C.F. Camp
Real Madrid C.F. is practically the club with the most fans in the world and is strongly committed to recruiting young talents from different countries around the world, including the United States.
The camps follow the philosophy of La Fábrica, an academy that has left us with gems such as Iker Casillas, Raúl González or Dani Carvajal.
The training sessions are of medium intensity and review the technical and tactical aspects of players and goalkeepers.
- For boys and girls of all ages.
- Training method approved by La Fábrica coaches.
- Multicultural environments with players of different nationalities.
- Specialized plan for goalkeepers.
- Technical-tactical approach.
- Different dates throughout the year.
Transforming dreams into goals
5. Orlando City F.C. Camps
Orlando City has a solid training structure in its academy, offering camps to capture young gems from the region and assign them to some of its categories.
The camps follow the same training plan as the team’s academy. In addition, it is dictated by the official coaches of the different categories of the club.
Their programs are also usually of short duration and only during holiday or festive periods.
- Training sessions that follow the same dynamics of the club’s academy.
- Sessions guided by the academy coaches.
- Access to special academy events for a fee.
- First class sports facilities.
- 4 different locations in the state.
Transforming dreams into goals
6. Nike Soccer Camps
Nike Soccer Camps are an excellent alternative for young players who want to live their first soccer experience.
This well-known sports apparel brand has this camp plan throughout the country, with certain dates in Florida.
The training sessions go over the basic notions of technique for goalkeepers and players, preparing the kids to compete on the field and motivating them to continue developing as players.
- Organized by the prestigious Nike brand.
- With more than six locations in Florida.
- Short duration camps.
- Final report for players.
- For boys and girls of all ages.
- Modern facilities.
- Multiple artificial turf fields.
Transforming dreams into goals
7. Florida Elite Soccer Academy Camps.
The Florida Elite Soccer Academy is a reputable institution that trains dozens of soccer players every year.
These camps have certified coaches that provide first level physical, tactical and technical training.
Their coaches apply a personalized plan for each player, with the intention of enhancing their unique skills and great virtues.
- Curriculum developed from an individual approach.
- For players and goalkeepers from 6 to 16 years old.
- Focused on the progression of skills.
- Prioritizes enjoyment and fellowship.
- Beginner to advanced level.
Transforming dreams into goals
Choose the best soccer goalkeeper camp in Florida.
As you may have already noticed, Florida is a state that offers multiple options for your child to develop their skills as a goalkeeper and reach their highest level, with the intention of reaching the professional level in the future.
Now, the unfinished business is to analyze all the virtues of the camps and choose the one that best suits your child’s conditions.
Whether it is a high performance camp or a summer camp, the most important thing is that the camp can meet the unique needs of your child, from the soccer aspect to his or her personal tastes.
In this way, you will be able to provide them with an unforgettable experience that will make them a better soccer goalkeeper and a better person.
