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Inside an empty hangar on Rhine Ordnance Barracks, a dozen young children and their parents surround a fenced-off patch of green artificial turf.
Coach Mike Rabb blows his whistle and the kids don practice jerseys, grab soccer balls and start practice — despite the chilly weather outside.
For the past two months, children took part in U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern’s Child, Youth and School Service’s indoor soccer clinic — the first of its kind offered through SKIES, or School of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills, said Shay Berchtold, SKIESUnlimited director.
“We had soccer during the summer, spring and fall, but nothing in the winter,” Berchtold said. “Lots of parents are interested in doing something with their children and don’t want them out in the rain. Through this program, kids can keep up with soccer and get some exercise during the winter.”
It was successful, with 82 children enrolled, she said. The largest group was for 3- to 5-year-olds.
Staff at the garrison’s Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation staff saw a need for a winter program and knew of German indoor soccer’s popularity. So, they decided to offer their own program.
Unlike other programs, SKIES soccer clinics are taught by a professional coach, instead of volunteers.
Rabb, who has played competitive soccer for more than 25 years, runs both the indoor and outdoor clinics. When Rabb held his first soccer camp back in July 2009, he had three children participate. Last summer, more than 350 children attended his camp. He focuses on teaching soccer drills and conditioning to help players develop basic and fundamental soccer skills.
Having an indoor venue allows Rabb to offer clinics despite foul weather, he said.
“With the little guys, if the weather is bad — if it rains — I have to cancel practice,” Rabb said. “I wanted to develop a good soccer program so that they can play year-round.”
For parents, the idea of indoor soccer was also appealing.
“It is especially nice in Germany to be able to do this indoors during the winter,” said Shannon Bachman, whose son Jacob, 5, took part. “This is great because he is getting exercise and it is good to be around kids his own age, which will help him before he goes to kindergarten next year.”
Although Lance Blackwell, 7, prefers playing outside, the indoor clinic keeps his soccer skills sharp, he said.
“My favorite part is scoring goals,” Lance said. “I like that I can keep on maintaining my soccer skills.”
Sign-ups for spring Child, Youth and School Services sports is currently underway. Spring sports include indoor rock climbing, golf, track and field, bowling, and T-ball, baseball and softball. Also, SKIESUnlimited offers soccer clinics at Landstuhl and Sembach.
For more information, call 0631-3406-4516.
