Dozabo debuts

Times Reporter    

 

The Dozabo Soccer Camp – run by former professional player Jose Dozabo – made its debut in Strathmore on May 20 at Wheatland Elementary. The camp runs every Tuesday evening, teaching two groups technique, rhythm, coordination, balance, and ball handling.

“I’ve been playing soccer all my life, and I played a high level in Honduras,” Dozabo said. “I was approached by some parents to help their kids to develop skills. How the idea came to Strathmore, was that I was approached by more parents. They were traveling too far to Calgary.”

Dozabo has been coaching for over ten years, but has run the camp in Calgary for the past five years. Those interested – beginners to experts – are still invited to register for either the minor group (ages four to 16) or adult group (ages 17 and up).

“It’s pretty much the same for both groups, it all depends on how much they’ve been playing,” Dozabo said. “Some adults, they haven’t played in a while, so they pretty much have to go to the basics. It all depends on how advanced they are; you could go from very basic skills to a high level.”

Dozabo preaches full body control for his students, moving one step at a time.

“You have to master that; air control, ground control, their headers, their touches, their movement. Before, I do all that tactical before I go into technical,” he said. “If you throw me into a hockey game and don’t show me how to skate, I’m not going to be very good.”

Dozabo uses a special instrument with his students – dubbed the Dozabo Technique – which is a strap that holds the ball to keep the body aligned, but provides finesse and freedom.

“You can imitate the same, with or without the strap,” he said. “They get frustrated and bored if they kick the ball once and they have to go chase it again. When they have the ball and have control, they don’t feel like they have to get rid of it all the time.”

Go to www.dozabo.com for more info.