Participants in the Kaw Valley Soccer Association's Advanced Skills Camp take a break for a photo on Friday, the camp's final day.

Forty-four young soccer enthusiasts participated in the Kaw Valley Soccer Association’s Advanced Skills Camp last week. The camp, which ran from July 23-27, took a more focused approach to one element of the game.

“Normally we try and do many different things,” said camp director Mauro Nobre. “This time we decided to focus on passing.”

Narrowing the focus of the camp helped the campers, a number of whom were under 10 years old, stay on track.

“I have found kids stay focused when there’s one topic,” Nobre said. “We focused on passing and receiving and then some of the tactical things.”

And by tactical, Nobre said the passer needs to more than just kick the ball.

“To make something happen (the passer) has to have a purpose,” Nobre said. “Do you want attack or possess? This way the passer isn’t just kicking the ball but has a plan.”

The camp gave the participants a chance to log over 1,000 touches, giving them familiarity with the ball and a better sense of control under pressure.