Camp Clinician/Observer Question

[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.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by bucky

... clinicians who will not admit to being wrong ...

Several years ago I served on our local board's floor training (mechanics) committee. The chairman of the committee, one of our best officials (many state tournament appearances), was going over free throw responsibilities with the rookies who had just passed the written rules exam. After going over the responsibilities of the lead and the trail he was asked a question about rebounders on the lane putting their arms outside the planes of their lane space. He replied that the rebounders in the marked lane spaces couldn't put their arms over the plane of the lane line, or the plane of the lane marks. I asked him if he was sure, that the rule was that the rebounder's feet can't break these three planes and that the arms are good to go for everything short of contact. He replied that he would double check it and get back to everybody. We're still waiting.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by 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.

What kind of camps are you attending? I say that because having been to many camps over the year at the NCAA level where almost all the time we are using high school rules, I cannot recall many times if ever where there was a deep conversation over a rule. We might have an honest confusion on a mechanic or even a procedure of that mechanic, but not a rule in the game. Even when there has been a debate, we usually ask about the difference in we move on. But almost all camps I have been to the focus is on our calls, coverage, and teamwork, not a rule in a game.

Peace