The Real Camp Difference is a new series focusing on the factors that parents, coaches and Quarterbacks should be looking for when choosing which Camp to attend. Camp organizations offer a lot to potential Campers, but the real question is: what will your Quarterback walk away from that Camp having learned that will truly help him improve as an athlete and a Quarterback?
For the first blog of this series I am going to focus on “elite” and “invite only” Camps. I have heard some interesting stories about these Camps from parents and I wonder… What’s the point?
The term “elite” means the choice or best of anything considered collectively, as of a group or class of persons –from: www.dictionary.com. So when a Camp boasts to be “elite,” you should be asking these questions:
- What exactly about the camp is elite? The Camp? The Coaches? The Quarterbacks?
- Who termed it as “elite”? A marketing person? The director or founder? Some outside objective party?
Let’s consider the three major areas of a Quarterback Camp that the term “elite” can be applied to:
The Camp:
The term “elite” itself is too vague to quantify as far as the Camp experience goes. There are too many factors to consider, such as: camper to coach ratio, drills, method of teaching, topics taught – just to name a few. So I’ll just say this, there is no such thing as an “elite” Camp. Don’t waste time looking for an “elite” camp, instead find one that will allow your Quarterback to learn, have fun, improve and get more than you paid for.
The Coaches:
I find many “elite” coaches are termed as such because of their experience playing the position, and I do not agree with this reasoning. I personally know of Hall of Fame Quarterbacks – who (self-admittedly) could not teach someone to play the position. I think the best Coaches are those who know how to teach the position to any type of athlete, and this may not mean a resume filled with time playing in state championships, D1 programs or the NFL. However for a truly “elite” coach, it will include a proven effort to understand the position and the details which require focus as well as a continued effort to learn and grow as a coach. Over an “elite” coach who may have a history of playing but no real, sustained, or significant team environment coaching, make sure the camp has knowledgeable coaches who can actually teach the position.
The Quarterbacks:
Many Camps that cater only to the “elite” Quarterback are simply seeking status through athletes, who frankly, would have found success without attending their Camp. I’ve said it before and will say it again: Quarterbacks who succeed at the highest levels do so for reasons mostly related to physical make-up, natural talent and athleticism. If a Camp only seeks to work with Quarterbacks who are already clearly on the road to a successful career – you will never know if they are helping create successful Quarterbacks or creating camp alumni from athletes that were going to be successful anyway.
Finally, about “invite only” camps – when you get a “special invite” to attend a camp, you should first wonder how many others got that same invite. Better yet, call the camp and ask them how many of those letters were mailed. I bet you won’t feel so special after you learn the truth, if you can. Then carefully read and determine how much this “special invitation” is going to cost your family, because the cost for these camps can be outrageous. After you understand the cost, go back and reread my theories on the “elite” camp, because I guarantee that word is being thrown around somewhere in the letter or on the website. Then decide if you want to spend the amount of money this invitation is going to cost you, when there is a strong possibility you won’t get close to what you pay for.
Remember, a camp is supposed to be where your Quarterback goes to learn about himself and the position he is attempting to improve at playing. If the camp you are looking at for your Quarterback is “elite” or “invite only” you should really be asking, “Who is going to get better for my Quarterback’s attendance, my Quarterback or the camp?” If you don’t know the answer based on the information you have, you should keep looking.
Complete QB Quarterback Development Camps are for every Quarterback, from the beginner who has never played to the Quarterback who has won state titles and broken state records. From the Quarterback who is fighting for a starting position to the D1 scholarship signee. We have had every type of Quarterback attend, and some have grown from one end of the spectrum to the other while training with us. Our goal is simple, to help any Quarterback – who is willing to do the work – get better. If your Quarterback wants to spend two days working on every aspect of the position, learning about himself as a Quarterback and an athlete, as well as the ways he can improve for the upcoming season, join us. Click here to register online today.