First College Camp

[JoeTheRef]

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.

[Dan_ref]

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.

[TRef21]

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.

[M&M Guy]

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 all 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!

[Mark Dexter]

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.

[MadCityRef]

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.