Kyle Petrella gets past Jonah Krell during a scrimmage at a soccer clinic at Catalina Foothills High School.

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Some local students are kicking off their summer mornings with soccer classes at Catalina Foothills High School, 4300 E. Sunrise Drive.

Instructor Roberto Ramirez says the Catalina Foothills Community Schools program includes several sports as well as academic interests such as Spanish and study skills. The program is in its last 2 1/2-week session of the summer.

Soccer students ranging from highly experienced players to those who have never touched a ball are challenged by drills, exercises and scrimmages. Ramirez said the most rewarding part of the class is the energy and excitement of the kids. "They get so excited," he said. "Their laughter is contagious."

One of the most important aspects of the class, and sometimes the most challenging, is building teamwork and sportsmanship, Ramirez said. "It can be tough at this age, but the kids have learned a lot. They've really improved after knowing each other and learning limits."

Blake Harrison, 8, played on a soccer team during the school year and says he thinks the sessions will help him be a better player. His favorite part of the course is all about teamwork, he says. "It's good so that there's not just one player with the ball all the time," he said. "My favorite part of class is scrimmage because that's where most of the teamwork is."