Test yourself: What’s the best type of basketball camp for you? Check one of the seven choices. The answers are shown below.
( ) 1. Celebrity camp. One or more NBA players show up for an hour or so, hand out autographs, and maybe shoot a few baskets for you. Most of the remaining time is devoted to games and a few basic drills.
( ) 2. Showcase or Exposure camp. You play a series of mini-games in front of college coaches. Anywhere from 0-200 coaches could show up. You hope some will contact you based on your performance.
( ) 3. Your high school coach’s day camp. The head coach and several assistant coaches run you through drills and games for several hours or so per day for 5-10 days. Usually right after school closes for the summer.
( ) 4. “North Woods” camp. Old fashioned summer camp where you get low-key basketball instructions, play games, and enjoy swimming, boating, baseball, soccer, volleyball, crafts, etc.
( ) 5. College and University camps. Huge numbers of mostly younger kids (6-12-years-old) spend a few days enjoying “The college experience”. Run mostly by assistant coaches, players, and former players with the head coach giving a daily 10-15 minute talk. Meet the players, tour the campus, etc. Minimum instruction, lots of games.
( ) 6. Instructional camps. Serious, no-nonsense skills developmental coaching with two or three 5-on-5 games per day. Sessions usually run from 8:30 am until 9:30 pm. Coaching staffs ranging from very good to outstanding. Campers usually leave with a great deal of coaching tips that often help them move to a higher level when they return to school. (Hoop Mountain Midwest camps are this type.)
( ) 7. Instructional/Showcase camps. Same as “6” above plus college coaches and scouting services are invited to attend. A terrific way to polish your skills and be seen by scouts from a wide area. Hoop Mountain Midwest’s Prep All-Stars camp is a perfect example of a combination “Instructional/Showcase” for high school players.
Rating your choice.
1. If you answered “1”, you probably either are not old enough or passionate enough to attend a serious, instructional camp.
2. “2” is OK if your single goal is to be seen by college coaches and you don’t need additional training.
3. This is a good idea if you want to make the school team. Ideally, you also should attend either an Instructional camp or an Instructional/Showcase. This option allows you to be exposed to a number of outstanding coaches and to play with and against top talent from the entire Midwest and the rest of the country.
4. A “North Woods” camp is a great way to have a lot of fun, but you can only pick up a limited amount of basketball skills development because of the limited time available.
5. A poor choice for the serious basketball fanatic who wants to become a better player.
6. A great camp for you to learn new skills, polish your old skills, and be challenged by other top-notch campers and a group of demanding coaches.
7. The same type of camp as “6” above, but with college coaches in attendance. This combination camp gives campers great coaching plus outstanding exposure provided by Hoop Mountain Midwest. 300 College coaches from around the Midwest are invited to attend the Hoop Mountain Prep All-Stars camp.
