We’ve received word that a new soccer academy for kids ages 5-17 is arriving in Wellesley this summer to host a couple of weeks of camp at MassBay Community College in July. The twist here is that the Atletico Soccer Academy camp organizers specialize in teaching kids the tiki-taka style of soccer (short passes, movement) popular with some of the well-known Spanish teams, including the national team.
“This style of soccer has not caught on in the USA as of yet only because this type of soccer training usually starts at a young age to be perfected, it concentrates on maintaining possession of the ball through constant accurate short passes and dribbles,while in the US they concentrate on long passes and crosses, which is why the American national soccer team players are averaging 6 feet in height, because strength and speed are required for their style of play,” says Rilwan Lawal, from the outfit.
Lawal says the camp has not been in touch with Wellesley United Soccer and has not run such a camp before, but that the organizers are experienced coaches and players who want to pass along their knowledge to kids.
