2026 Elite Thanksgiving Clinic

Santa Barbara SC is excited to announce our 2 Day Elite Thanksgiving Soccer Clinic, taking place November 23–24 from 5:00–7:00 PM at Girsh Park Turf.

The clinic is open to players ages 8–14 who are passionate about soccer and committed to improving their game.

This two-day clinic is designed for players who are motivated to improve, enjoy being challenged, and are eager to take their game to the next level. Through focused training, competitive activities, and game-based learning, players will have the opportunity to develop their technical and tactical abilities while strengthening the habits, confidence, and character needed to continue progressing as soccer players.

Our coaching staff will create a challenging, positive, and supportive training environment where players can learn, compete, and push themselves alongside players of similar age and ability levels.

Clinic Schedule
Dates: November 23–24
Time: 5:00–7:00 PM Check-In / Drop-Off: 4:30 PM
Location: Girsh Park Turf

Players should arrive at 4:30 PM for check-in and drop-off so they are ready to begin training promptly at 5:00 PM.

What’s Included?
Every registered player will receive an official Santa Barbara SC camp T-shirt, included with registration.

Registration & Payment
CLICK HERE to register and complete payment online prior to November 23, 2026.

Please note that a 3% credit card processing fee applies to online payments.

At Santa Barbara SC, we believe that developing better soccer players requires more than technical ability. It requires a commitment to learning, a willingness to be challenged, and the discipline to continually improve.

Our clinic is built around the belief that development starts with a genuine appetite for self-improvement and a love of training.

Throughout the clinic, players will have opportunities to:

  • Develop a stronger desire to learn, improve, and challenge themselves.
  • Build confidence through purposeful training and competitive experiences.
  • Improve their technical and tactical understanding of the game.
  • Develop character through honesty, leadership, teamwork, and accountability.
  • Learn to make decisions, solve problems, and work effectively with teammates.
  • Build the habits and mentality necessary for long-term player development.

We want every player to understand that improvement comes through consistent effort, a willingness to learn, and the ability to respond positively to challenges.

Whether your player currently participates in a recreational or competitive program, this clinic provides an opportunity to continue developing during Thanksgiving break.

To support the best possible learning environment, players will be grouped according to age and technical ability. This allows our coaching staff to adjust the intensity, complexity, and demands of training while ensuring that players are appropriately challenged and supported.

Player placement is based on the coaching staff’s assessment of each player’s current level. Groupings are intended to support development and may differ from a player’s current club or team placement.

Our training curriculum will focus on the following areas:

Technical Development

  • Passing and receiving
  • First touch and ball mastery
  • Dribbling and ball control
  • Finishing
  • Playing with both feet

Attacking & Defending

  • 1v1 attacking and defending
  • Individual creativity and attacking solutions
  • Attacking combinations
  • Creating and exploiting space
  • Defending principles and individual responsibility

Tactical Development

  • Movement and mobility
  • Spacing and positional awareness
  • Game awareness and decision-making
  • Transitional play and counterattacking
  • Small-sided games and game-based activities

Competition & Character

  • Competitive activities designed to challenge players
  • Learning to respond positively to mistakes and setbacks
  • Teamwork, communication, and accountability
  • Developing a positive attitude toward training and competition

Goalkeepers will be included throughout the clinic and will have opportunities to train in goal, develop their skills, and apply their skills during competitive activities and scrimmages.