Camp Clinician/Observer Question

[JRutledge]

You are going to have to deal with people that know it all. You are going to deal with officials that know nothing. And you will have to deal with officials that know enough they are dangerous. So you just have to manage those personalities and give them what they need. Sometimes you just have to get into someone's behind and know when to pat them on the back and lift them up. That comes with experience. There is no one size fits all when you are dealing with different people. Officials have egos. A lot of officials do not like to be told to do something regardless of your experience. When you get those that do not listen, move on. Help those in the end that want to be helped. Use your experience and knowledge to get you through. This is not much different than how you deal with coaches. What works with one coach might be a disaster with another coach. But at least in this setting people are paying with their time and money to get some information so they are more captive of an audience.

Peace

[rockyroad]

Be able to give "big picture" feedback and "small detail" feedback...use big picture stuff when talking to the whole crew - rotations, court coverages, positioning, etc. Small detail stuff when talking one-on-one - mechanics, judgement, etc.

[Rich]

I've been a clinician at a number of camps and the lessons I learned were:

There will be people who will try to dominate your time. Don't let them - not at the expense of others.

There will be people who want to tell you why you're wrong or aren't interested in your feedback -- great, more time for the others.

There is a tendency to want to write down a ton of notes, but then you aren't watching the play. Focus on a few things for the crew and 1-2 things for the official to work on. And make sure you have something for everyone, as was said above.

I enjoy teaching at camps. I'm probably a better teacher/evaluator than I am an official. Some would say that's not saying much.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Rich

I'm probably a better teacher/evaluator than I am an official.

Those who can, do; those who can't, teach. (George Bernard Shaw)

Just kidding. Retiring after over thirty years of successfully teaching middle school science, for the past twelve years I've had a second career as a successful chemist.

I can teach, and I can do.

I can also walk and chew gum at the same time, I'm a real multitasker. Are you all impressed?

[Freddy]

Most significant thing to verify is that officials are turning "off-ball." BALL WATCHING is the #1 thing officials at camps need to learn not to do and is also one of the most neglected things that clinicians don't look for that they should.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Most significant thing to verify is that officials are turning "off-ball." BALL WATCHING is the #1 thing officials at camps need to learn not to do and is also one of the most neglected things that clinicians don't look for that they should.

Absolutely. Telltale signs of ball watching are eyes on the ball instead of where they belong, body language toward the ball instead of where their body should be pointing, and lots and lots of avoidable double whistles.

[bucky]

All have given good responses

I recall 2 similar items that stick out from my dozens of camps over the years: clinicians who will not admit to being wrong and clinicians, when they do not know, refuse to admit that they do not know.

Sure, most know the rules and give good, solid answers. But when asked about a rule (and they do not know), I would love it, just once, for a clinician to say "I do not know." Furthermore, it would be great if they would investigate and come back to you (camper) with the correct answer.

It always cracked me up (on the inside of course) when asking two or more clinicians simultaneously about the same rule and they quizzically look at each other. Then one spouts off some vague response and the others piggyback on it. lol. Just admit when you do not know, sheesh.