Do you want to be a high level special teamer? Barth brothers preview annual free youth kicking camp
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Two former Hoggard High School standouts are returning to Wilmington this week to help the next generation of football players sharpen their special teams skills.
Connor and Casey Barth will host the 11th annual Barth Kicking Camp on Thursday, July 16, at Scott Braswell Stadium on the campus of Hoggard High School. The free camp is open to children and young adults interested in learning the fundamentals of place kicking, punting and long snapping.
Connor Barth, who played nine seasons in the NFL after his collegiate career, said the camp gives young athletes an opportunity to receive specialized instruction that wasn’t always available when he was growing up.
“Whether they’ve been kicking for years or just starting out, it’s a good opportunity to get out in the summertime and enjoy some kicking,” Connor Barth said. “We’ve been doing it for quite a while, and I know growing up I didn’t have anyone to teach me at such a high level. It’s really cool that myself and Casey are able to work with these campers.”
Casey Barth said the camp also focuses on the mental side of the game, helping athletes develop confidence in high-pressure situations.
“I think kicking, like a lot of sports, is mostly mental,” Casey Barth said. “A lot of kids can kick the ball far, but you really need to lock in, stay in the moment and be someone your team can lean on in those pressure moments.”
The camp begins at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, with participants encouraged to arrive by 5:15 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a football and a kicking tee if they have one.
The annual event has become a summer tradition in Wilmington, giving aspiring kickers and specialists the chance to learn from two local athletes who went on to successful collegiate and professional football careers.
