HS Summer Camp experiences

[Mwanr1]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

As a somewhat "experienced" guy, I refrain from offering very much help to other campers. I'm not there as an observer or trainer and it's not my place to tell other guys what they're doing wrong. JMHO.

I disagree! If it's obvious that a "younger" (experience wise) official is doing something wrong, you should tell them. You don't have to tell them that they are wrong and they should change. Instead, offer suggestions such as "maybe you should do this......, this way it'll you can....." If you are teaching them the right thing, then IMO it's absolutely OK to let them know what they should work on. If they have an open mind and are sincere to learn, then they should be thankful for your generosity. Observers and evaluators are humans too and they are not going to catch everything that you and I might see. We are all at camps to learn and if you can help those who needs help, then why not.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Mwanr1

I disagree! If it's obvious that a "younger" (experience wise) official is doing something wrong, you should tell them.

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, and if it works for you, that's great. But I've seen it really explode when somebody resents what they perceive as being "talked down to" by another camper. So for me, when I'm at camp, I don't offer advice unless I'm specifically asked.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, and if it works for you, that's great. But I've seen it really explode when somebody resents what they perceive as being "talked down to" by another camper. So for me, when I'm at camp, I don't offer advice unless I'm specifically asked.

You also never know whether the advice that you're offering might be different than what is being taught at that camp.

[Mwanr1]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, and if it works for you, that's great. But I've seen it really explode when somebody resents what they perceive as being "talked down to" by another camper. So for me, when I'm at camp, I don't offer advice unless I'm specifically asked.

True true - it depends on who you're telling and whether that person has an open mind to learn!!!!

[Old School]

Originally Posted by Mwanr1

True true - it depends on who you're telling and whether that person has an open mind to learn!!!!

One of the things I have learned about the camp system is it's one of the only accepted places for officials to be told they are doing something wrong, or suggested how to do things better. This is why some associations, not all, require everyone on staff to come to a camp. Officials that do not attend camps anymore, maybe verteran officials, never get critique anymore and that is bad. It is bad because they think they can't do any wrong. They are always choosen for post season assignments so they don't have to get any better. The camp system is a great way to keep offciating fresh, imho.

[zebraman]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, and if it works for you, that's great. But I've seen it really explode when somebody resents what they perceive as being "talked down to" by another camper. So for me, when I'm at camp, I don't offer advice unless I'm specifically asked.

Same here. When I'm at camp, I'm in "learning mode" and I don't offer much advice to other officials, even if asked. If I need to be a leader to get an inexperienced crew through a game, I'll do that. But if I get asked on how to do certain things, I generally refer my fellow campers to the clinicians.

[26 Year Gap]

I am going to one next week. Thanks for all the good advice.

[daveg144]

One of the most memorable pieces of advice I got from a clinician at a camp was to keep attending camps. He said, "There's a lot of officials who have 10-15 years experience, but they've worked the same 10-15 years because they've never worked on getting better (camps, reading, chatboards, etc.). Never let a year go by where you don't take the time to learn something."

It's like golf. No matter how good you get, you never totally master it. Have any of us ever had the "perfect" game (on the court or on the course)? Just keep doing everything you can to get better and you'll be moving in the right direction.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by daveg144

Have any of us ever had the "perfect" game (on the court or on the course)?

Yes. I have. But it wasn't due to me...the players played such a game that we could have remained in the locker room and the game would have played out the same. We more or less just watched the game. Foul counts of like 2 and 3 in the first half...the same in the second half. It was a cakewalk.

[Old School]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Yes. I have. But it wasn't due to me...the players played such a game that we could have remained in the locker room and the game would have played out the same. We more or less just watched the game. Foul counts of like 2 and 3 in the first half...the same in the second half. It was a cakewalk.

Got you beat in terms of fouls. Had a game last year we had exactly 2 fouls on the board for the 1st half, AAU playoff game, 1 on each team. 2nd half with one minute left to play, we had the exact same thing. Then the team that was down had to foul to put the other team on the F/T line. My partner and I had a internal bet going on to see who was going to call the most fouls in the game. You're right about it being easy. Coaches never said a word, players played their heart out and we just let them play. Got treated to an excellent game of basketball.

[HandCheck7]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, and if it works for you, that's great. But I've seen it really explode when somebody resents what they perceive as being "talked down to" by another camper. So for me, when I'm at camp, I don't offer advice unless I'm specifically asked.

Thats the greatest thing I have ever heard! I wish more guys would take that approach. If someone wants to know, they will ask.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by HandCheck7

Thats the greatest thing I have ever heard! I wish more guys would take that approach. If someone wants to know, they will ask.

That is a horrible attitude. Why are they at camp if they don't want to know. Evaluators don't have a monopoly on spotting something goofy.

We should be going in exactly the opposite direction....helping each other improve...unless you goal is to make sure others don't get better and take your spot.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

unless you goal is to make sure others don't get better and take your spot.

My goals at camp are: (1) learn something new and (2) have my games go as well as possible.

Teaching is nowhere on my list of camp priorities. If I want to teach at camp, I'll charge money instead of paying money. Additionally, if I try to help a fellow camper and he/she resents it, my goal #2 has less chance of being realized.

If I'm asked, I will (and have) certainly give any information that I think is important. But I have seen campers get very angry about receiving help from other campers. Since then, I purposely don't offer advice.

As I said earlier, that's just my own opinion. And if you have a history of giving pointers to other campers and it works for you, then I'm glad for you, honestly. But I think eventually, it will backfire.

[Mark Dexter]

The Scrapper1 Basketball Officials' Camp??

Is there a discount for officials under 5'5"?

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Mark Dexter

The Scrapper1 Basketball Officials' Camp??

Is there a discount for officials under 5'5"?

Hey, Dex, we've never really known how tall you are. Is a ScrappyCamp something you'd be interested in??