At our August Summer Camp #3, we had 22 coaches and 225 kids organized by age into three camps. There was a camp director for each of the three camps plus two more directors to oversee operations. At the registration tables, each camper received a Launch t-shirt and a colored wristband. The 80 kids in the “Youngers” camp wore yellow wristbands and ranged in age from 4 to 8. The “Olders” camp also had 80 kids who wore orange wristbands and the 60 Advanced / YDP Level campers wore green wristbands. The Olders and Advanced camps were for kids ages 9 to 14.

Water breaks were more frequent and longer in duration due to the excessive heat. The primary focus, aside from giving the kids quality soccer training, was keeping the campers cool and hydrated. To protect the kids from the heat, we sprayed them with the hose during water breaks and provided six tubs of water into which campers could stick their heads to cool down. We also had water and Gatorade setup at each camp. Despite the heat the kids still got plenty of soccer training.

Launch Sports Vice President and Academy Co-Founder Barry Ritson was interviewed August 25, 2010 by ABC 7 News about the precautions put in place to ensure the safety of the campers as they trained in the summer heat.

Thank you to all of our August camp participants! Launch Sports August Summer Camp held at the Rose Bowl was an absolute hit for the staff and kids. With 120 kids at camp, Launch brought a new twist: Agility ladders! With over 30 agility ladders, we were able to instruct on footwork. Being able to teach kids how to move their feet without a ball is one fundamental that doesn’t get enough focus in most practices by most coaches. With only 60-90 minutes of practice for most teams most coaches run out of time or just aren’t sure how to incorporate ladder work into their drills. Therefore, the kids never get the opportunity to use agility ladders, let alone be instructed on how to use them. At Launch camp, we ensure that every child will get adequate time learning how to move their feet correctly with and without the ball. At this camp, we ensured that the first 30-45 minutes of each day was devoted to footwork with ladders, cones, and soccer balls.

From speed and agility, relay races to games that instruct kids on the fundamentals of soccer, Launch’s goal to provide a fun educational environment without the child even knowing that they are learning will always remain the same. From 80 kids in Camp 1 in July and 120 kids in Camp 2 in early August to an estimated 200+ kids in Camp 3 in late August we continue to strive to work off our mission statement: To provide a fun and educational environment with a developed and dedicated curriculum that combines sport specific technical skill and motor learning development, resulting in a comprehensive progressive program that is geared toward improving body mechanics, preventing injury, and maximizing performance! Hope we see you at Camp #3!

Launch Pro Soccer Academy July 2010 Summer Soccer Camp sponsored by AYSO-Region 13 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca came and went with a week full of excitement. We’d like to thank all of those who came out to share in the Launch Summer Soccer Experience. Each camp brings surprising new twists that sometimes even our own staff, from Academy founders to staffed coaches, aren’t prepared for. From warm up games that include Best Diving Header contest, Best Goal Celebration contest, and “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes”, to the biggest and baddest “Water War” fight for the full day campers in 100 degree weather, we just about covered it all this week. A fun filled week full of soccer and water wars, it appears everyone involved, from our kids to our staff have a week to remember for years to come!

Launch Sports signs contract with Cathedral High School to implement pre-season strength and conditioning programs for both the cross country and soccer programs and to provide sports medicine services for the football program. Dr. Mercado will cover as the team doctor for the football program, providing on field coverage during all home games for the 2010 Football Season.

Plyo box reverse lunge allows the patient to strengthen VMO and other quadriceps muscles. It is also a good proprioceptive exercise.

Helping the athlete improve lateral movement, hip and knee strength, and stability by applying resistance bands. Exercises: open chain, closed chain, hip and knee strengthening and stability exercises.