A story from behind the camera, by staff photographer Brad Camp

Kingston High School is producing some stellar athletics in its first year out. The girls’ basketball battled at state and spring sports is taking boys soccer and baseball to the match-ups. This month is about the KHS soccer team and its coaching. An ensemble team with whole lot of passion from the players and the coaches.

All in and you are in

Covering a large variety of teams across several leagues allows a photographer to learn about many different types of coaching and coaching styles. Some teams have active ‘coaching’ from exuberant parents in the stands and some teams display coaching from the confines of a huddle during time-outs. Coaching can be loud and in-your-face or simply led by a look and hand gesture.

Kingston High School boys’ soccer team head coach Craig Smith is in the ‘look’ category.

Typically sporting a classic hat, Smith looks like your sideline East Coast football coach. During a game, his expressions range from deep concern to exuberant excitement – but in his eyes, the fire of the game burns deep at all times. He calls play changes halfway across the field and freely hands out ‘atta boys’ after heartfelt attempts to score or gain possession.

His players respond – and respond quickly. After a goal, the players erupt on the field with the same excitement and congratulations typically seen on the World Cup stage. Many of the other teams I shoot in the region rarely bolster a high five after a goal. This team, like many others at KHS, work together under supportive and positive leadership, which in turn seems to foster a spirit of play that can’t be broken by an opposing teams streak of good plays or missed opportunities.

“Shake it off – we will win this game,” Smith bellowed across the field as a goal attempt hits the bottom the top bar. The player rolled his head around as the words sunk across the turf. Moments later, Kingston scored a direct hit penalty shot and cemented the road to state for the boys’ soccer team.

To see a multimedia slideshow from the series, visit the multimedia link from the www.northkitsapherald.com Web site. Get more details on image capture from the blog at www.bradcampimages.blogspot.com.