Fundamentals of any sport should be emphasized at an early age in order for athletes to capture the best version of themselves, said Director of the PA Foundation football camp Leroy “Coach Fred” Frederick.

This Friday, kids of all ages will have that opportunity, learning from professional NFL players and college athletes at the PA Foundation football camp. The camp is free and will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 12:00 p.m. and will be held at Pearl River Community College’s Intramural Fields.

“One thing I learned in life is that positive attitudes bring positive results, and I think that should be taught to all the kids. When you think positive, you react positive,” said Frederick.

The camp will involve speed and agility training and then the kids will be sectioned into fundamental training for each position, Frederick said.

“The goal of this camp is to get everyone better at the fundamentals. I was not blessed with 4.3 speed, so I had to understand the fundamentals of my position in order to stand out and compete with those 4.3 guys. We all might not be blessed with speed, but you can hone the fundamentals, you will become a much better player,” said Frederick.

Two-time Super Bowl champion Dedrick Dodge and current Washington Redskins wide receiver Jarvis Turner will help with the training.

“When I was growing up in a small town, I didn’t have the opportunity to learn hands-on from a professional, so I want to make sure I can give back and provide that insight for these kids and being able to help out in this camp is a blessing to me,” said Dodge.

Frederick said the camp is going to focus on the fundamentals of all positions, which Dodge and Turner agree are necessary to get to the professional level.

“It’s just like reading and writing. Fundamentals are the difference between making it and not,” said Dodge.

Turner added, “The leap from college to the pros is tough. If you don’t have the fundamentals mastered, you will not make it. In the NFL, it is all about the little things because you are competing against professionals every day.”

Last year, Frederick said all of the 80 kids that attended had a great time and advanced their development as football players.