First College Camp
 

Any advice for a first time college camper? In Georgia if you want to do the State tournament, you have to attend a state sanctioned HS camp every 2 or 3 years. I go every year for the simple fact of the learning experience and the input and to be seen. I will be attending my first college camp this weekend in NC. I'm a sponge where ever I go, and I am going to learn and for the experience. Is there any do's or don'ts that I need to be aware of or any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

If you've been to camps before this should be nothing new for you.

Relax, have fun, ask questions, work hard and don't foget to referee when you're on the floor. :)

Be ready to see better play than normal probably. You will have more eyes on since you will be in the presence of college assignors. Get fimilar with the NCAA rules mens or womens as well as the primary areas of coverage. Have a patient whistle. Athletes are alot stronger and can finish with contact. Coaches may say some stuff, but thats normal as you know. Look like a college offical. Crisp uniform, talored shirt. Look the part. Like you said, be a sponge, apply what they tell you when it's told to you If it doesn't work throw it out but try it first.

There have been many past threads asking for the same advice; you might try a search on this forum and see what comes up.

My advice:

- Ask questions, but don't be the annoying guy that asks <B>all</B> the questions.
- When a clinician tells you what you did wrong, or what you need to change, do not tell them "Yes, but...", or "I'm doing this because...", etc. Nod your head in agreement, and try to find a way to do what the clinician tells you. There's probably a good reason they're telling you to do something.
- As Dan said, don't be so overly concerned with mechanics and positioning that you forget to actually referee the game.
- And, have fun!

You've obviously been to camps before, but I'll still throw out my main piece of camp advice - don't stand out for the wrong reasons.

My biggest example - at a camp that asks you to wear shorts, don't be the one guy wearing pants.

You'll find the level of competition and the level of conversation will be higher. College camps teach you up, unlike HS camps which try to be inclusive of all talent/knowledge levels.

Thanks for all the great advice. If anyone is going to be up at UNC/NCST this weekend PM me. My camp # is 210 on the master schedule.

All good suggestions so far. One I'd like to add is to make sure you pregame with your crew. I've been at a few camps where crews don't have or take time to pregame before running out there to be evaluated. Everyone will look better if you take time to talk before the ball goes up.

First Time Camper
 

I'm attending an ACC Camp in July for the first time. Is there anywhere to get a NCAA Rule Book??

Dan's advice is pretty good. Go to learn. Try to relax and enjoy being around other referees. If the Yanks and Red Sox are playing during the camp, go down to TGIFriday's and watch the game with Dan. (I'm assuming that he'll be willing to meet you for the game, since he doesn't have any friends! :D )

The other thing I'd suggest is make sure you're prepared physically. Make sure you know if you should have pants or shorts. (The first time I went to Nunn-Better, I didn't do that and I had to run to Walmart to buy black polyester pants.) Have your rulebooks. Be in shape. Take an extra pair of shoes, in case one splits. If you eliminate all those little things that could distract you, you'll be able to concentrate on refereeing. Good luck.

You can read it (or print it, probably) at www.ncaa.org. You can probably also buy a copy from the website.

I thought you banished yourself from all but the baseball thread?

Did you get a reprieve?

I never said that. I just said I would be posting very infrequently. But this thread seemed like a good one to respond to.

You mean, did I get fired? :)

(Ok, I'm heading back under my bridge)

Harrumph !

You might give him a break, mick. He's been away so long, I'm sure some of his annoying Spelling and Grammar Guy skills have deteriorated with non-use.