Red Bulls Trainers
June 15, 2012
Summer Camp Preperation
Week 6.11.12 - The New York Red Bulls Training Programs are preparing to kick off their summer camp season. Camp locations are set up through-out the tri-state area, players are registered, and coaches are wrapping up their spring coaching seasons. In order to prepare to create the most fun and safe environment for all players on summer camps, the Red Bulls Training Staff compiled of 80 coaches, go through an extensive 5 day education orientation compiled of:
1. Camp Curriculum- activities & skills challenges
2. CPR / First Aid Certification
3. Leadership Presentation – Gary Pritchard, CMC
4. Risk Management Presentation
5. Camp Management, Details, and logistics – Mock Camp Day
The New York Red Bulls Training Programs soccer camp curriculum is created for our coaching staff in order to follow the Red Bulls coaching philosophy. The activities create a fun and challenging environment for players to have the opportunity to learn.
Every Red Bulls soccer trainer is certified in CPR and First Aid. Our coaches are reminded they can never be too careful and to always be prepared in case a minor or serious accident occurs.
In order to refresh the training staff on management, Gary Pritchard, Certified Mental Coach, did a presentation on leadership. Gary started off the presentation with fun, out of your seat activities for the group, in order to wake the coaches up and observe the leaders in the group. There were a lot of laughs and it was a perfect introduction to Gary’s presentation. Gary spoke to the group about the importance of the New York Red Bulls summer camps. “Who is the most important on camp?” Gary responds, “The players. From the moment you get to camp to the point where the players depart. “The players’ are the most important.” The presentation continued teaching the coaches on how to prepare on being a leader to other coaches, parents, and players. His key points were: Focus, Communication, Listening, Confidence and Composure, and Leading Others.
Gary’s presentation continued, he broke the coaches into groups, giving each group, camp scenarios which could potentially arise. Topics included coach management, player management, activity management, parent management, and further possible scenarios which could arise. The coaching staff proved their leadership abilities. They answered every difficult topic with great tact, accountability, and excellent management skills. The coaches proved excellent leadership abilities. Gary Pritchard reminded our staff to be ready to be the leader on camp and how to do that.
The days continued and the Red Bulls coaching staff reviewed Risk Management, trainer management of the pure risks which Red Bulls may be subject to. Risk Management class involved analyzing all exposures to the possibility of loss and determining how to handle these exposure through practices such as avoiding the risk, retaining the risk, reducing the risk, or transferring the risk.
Lastly, summer camp orientation week continued with on field activities. Our senior coaches, those staff who have exceptional leadership and management abilities, ran our 80+ coaching staff through a mock camp day. Our coaches had to register online for camp (as parents do for their children) the coaches arrived on camp, checked in with our senior coaches, and the first day of the mock camp began. This was a great practice for our coaches to see first-hand how the register process works, how the first day of camp goes, and how to run specific activities on camps.
The New York Red Bulls Training Programs take great pride in their summer camps. The Red Bulls want every player to leave the camp learning and falling in love with soccer. It’s important the atmosphere of camp is safe and managed exceptionally. It’s the Red Bulls goal to create the most fun and challenging environment for every soccer player.