IAABO ref schools

[MechanicGuy]

I went once, after my first year. I thought it was worth it.

I don't think I'll go again though.

If you're new to the game, and especially to 3-man, I definitely think the camp has value.

[RefCT]

Originally Posted by MechanicGuy

If you're new to the game, and especially to 3-man, I definitely think the camp has value.

Be careful with assuming they are three man. When I went, it was 2-man (I went to the one in RI, which is now in MA). To my knowledge, the NJ one is 3-man. Not sure about the others.

[bainsey]

Been doing one IAABO camp for the last three years. Here's my insight:

*During a game, you run through the mechanics exactly as if it were a real game, with the exception of making up a number at the table. (Many times, teams wear their practice jerseys without numbers.) No "summer mechanics" here, strictly IAABO mechanics. If your games are assigned and evaluated by IAABO, I can't imagine what other mechanics you'd want to be taught.

*Games are what they are. At my camp, it has been boys' varsity basketball. Talent can vary, but in the end, it's all about your work and dealing with whatever's on the court. Choosing talent level is not part of our job, anyway.

*Even though a majority of the clinics push the same things I've been hearing for years, there's always something I pick up that either misunderstood or just somehow eluded me. My board does very little in-season evaluations (unless you're a rookie or happened to be assigned to a rookie that day), so these camps are the only real evaluations I get.

One thing I've learned is to have a more patient whistle. (We do this in soccer, would like to see it more in basketball.) E.g., if A-1 is displacing B-2 during a rebound, and B-2 or a teammate gets the ball, we may want to pass on that call. It took a camp for me to learn that.

If you think you're not getting enough evaluation during the year, then a camp is probably for you.