Sometimes, all it takes is a little perspective.

Whether you’re a striker, goalkeeper or anything in between, it’s important to not only know what your next move is going to be -- but to know what your opponent is thinking, too.

At Joe Machnik’s No. 1 Soccer Camps, players are immersed in a competitive environment that caters to the development of the individual skills of each player, while also developing their overall understanding of the demands of every position in the game.

This approach is only one thing that makes the No. 1 Soccer Camps unique.

Now in their 34th year in operation, the camps hold all training sessions in front of a full-sized goal on a short, 35-yard field, which forces players of all positions to play on the part of the field in which it is most difficult to perform -- near the crowded penalty area.

The short field ensures that every player comes away with many more touches, shots, blocks and decisions than they would normally.

And coaches see to it that all the tactics and skills required for each drill simulate real game situations.

“Players at camp are required to develop the technical skills required of them regardless of what position or role they play on the field,” said founder Joe Machnik. “No. 1 campers become well-rounded players who are able to perform on both sides of the ball.

“Reading the game -- knowing the when, where and why -- becomes as important as the how. In the end, soccer is about decision making. The No. 1 Camps create an environment where players have the ability to experiment in creative decision making on the field to achieve the best result.”

The camps, held at 20 locations nationwide from mid-June to mid-August, cater to players ages 10-18 in four programs designed for various skill levels and age groups. Most of the camps are a week long, but the College Prep program, designed for top-level high school players, runs for two weeks.

Players receive three training sessions and three meals per day, and where a pool is available, 40 minutes in the water to relax, rejuvenate and prepare for the evening session.

At night, campers attend classroom sessions for valuable nutrition and fitness instruction, as well as video analysis that helps to review the day’s events and prepare for the next.

All things considered, the coaches at No. 1 Soccer Camps have thought of everything to help every youth player reach his or her full potential. The quality of the camps is obvious by their results.

Five current MLS goalkeepers are graduates of the program, and Herculez Gomez, the leading scorer in the Mexican first Division and candidate for the U.S. World Cup team, also honed his skills at the No. 1 Camps.  

“At the end of each camp, we have tired, fulfilled players and happy parents,” Machnik said, “and that’s why we see people coming back for two, three or four years in a row.”

At No. 1 Soccer camps, the name says everything you need to know.

Click here for more information on the No. 1 Soccer Camps.