Like Father Like Son
By Ian McDade
An intense week of training was held for the nation’s best Under-15 Boys in Zarephath, New Jersey in June. At the camp was an Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer player with all the spark and talent that U.S. Under-15 Men’s National team head coach Jim Barlow looks for. Joe Julius, a player who looks to follow in his father Larry’s footsteps and reach the professional level of soccer, was there to bring his best. Barlow, also head coach for Princeton’s men’s soccer team, was there to see it. 
Joe Julius was raised outside of Harrisburg. Trained by his father, he grew up playing in the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer system and proved himself to be a player worthy of attention. Larry Julius, a former Major League Soccer player who played with the Kansas City Attack, the Harrisburg Heat and the Philadelphia Kicks (scoring their first ever goal) has always followed the guidance his coach taught him when he was young: technical above tactical. Larry believes that “individuals must develop before success can be reached.” 
Joe went through hundreds of tedious drills throughout his childhood with his father in order to perfect his soccer skills. Those drills paid off for Joe when he entered the ranks of the highest level of soccer the U.S. has to offer boys his age. According to Joe, coach Barlow put them through multiple intense training sessions consisting of small sided games, possession games and drills to work on each player’s technical skills as well as their tactical game. The morning sessions were based around intense, fast moving games of possession in tight quarters which forced players to increase their level of play. The day then progressed to an afternoon event which was either a game with a local club or a second training session.
“The level of play at the camp was much higher than any other experience I’ve had,” said Joe. “The style of play is also different because you really don’t have any time to play around with the ball.”
“Joe played well for the Under-15 National team throughout the week,” said coach Barlow. “His strength, power, and nose for the goal helped our attack and he was involved in a good number of our scoring chances. For his first time in with the Under-15 National team, he was a real presence in our attack.”
Joe plays club ball for LDC-CAPA and is a leading scorer. Joe feels the camp made him a much better player. He plans to keep playing in college and then turn professional.
Good luck Joe.