SOCCER CAMP GIVES YOUTHS HEADS-UP TIPS.

Byline: Douglas Clark Daily News Staff Writer

Youngsters on spring break traded the classroom for the soccer field Monday, honing new skills taught by a group of former professional players.

An idea developed by Simi Valley resident Ken Dapello, who wants to improve quality of play within the American Youth Soccer Organization, the first Breakaway Soccer Camp started Monday at Berylwood Park.

``We brought out some quality instruction and hope the kids can get something out of it,'' he said. ``I hear a lot of laughing. I think they're having fun. But we're going to work them, too.''

Throughout the week, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., coaches will drill 60 students ages 4 to 14 on the five basic soccer skills: dribbling, receiving, shooting, passing and heading.

On Monday, Dapello, a former pro and All-America player with Glendale College, shouted instructions to boys and girls eager to benefit from his gridiron tutorial.

``Fight for it, boys. Fight for it, girls. That's it. That's good soccer,'' he said, as two players sprinted toward a soccer ball, then fought for control of it.

Jimmy Stewart, regional commissioner for the AYSO, a national organization founded in 1964, praised Dapello for developing the program.

``He realized some outside coaching was needed to help some of these kids improve their skills,'' he said while watching Dapello coach. ``He's done a very good job of getting this together.''

Although the AYSO teaches soccer, Stewart said the organization's mission is to contribute to child development. Every child gets plenty of playing time on the field, good sportsmanship is stressed, and anyone can join.

More than 600 youngsters have enrolled in the spring league, which starts in May. In September 1997, 1,600 players competed in the autumn session.

Scott Murray, a former pro player and childhood friend whom Dapello enlisted to coach, said the camp is a good way to keep players active between the autumn and spring seasons.

``They need to play as often as possible to get better,'' he said. ``You give them some things they don't normally get. I wish I'd had something like this when I was a kid.''

Joey Kirk, who played with the Detroit Safari last season, and former professional player Alberto Bru are also coaching throughout the week. Bru helped Dapello organize the camp.

Some players like Blake Brown, 11, signed up for the camp to improve basic skills while having a good time.

``He's a good coach,'' Blake said of Dapello. ``He works us a lot, but it's a lot of fun.''

Others like Yvette Perez, 16, who has played soccer for seven years, attended the camp with members of her soccer team, the Simi Valley Rage.

``I wanted to improve my skills,'' she said. ``But it was also a chance for us as a team to get to know each other better and expand our abilities as a team.''

Janelle Gibson, 14, said the young players would benefit from working with a variety of coaches.

``We need a lot of help on different skills,'' she said.

Dapello, whose sons Kory, 6, and Tyler, 8, were among the young players, said he hopes the camp will grow in successive years.

``Right now it's just a little baby,'' he said. ``But it feels like it's going to be a big success.''

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Photo

PHOTO (Color) From left, Michael Johnson, 12, and Scott Meininger, 11, battle for a ball tossed by soccer camp director Ken Dapello at AYSO camp.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News