Officiating Camps: How to Choose the Right Camp and Maximize Your Development
- Robert Abney
- Apr 6
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 16
As we move into the spring season and toward the summer, now is the time for officials to spend some time thinking about next steps in their officiating development. While many officials are perfectly happy with where they are in their development, others want to try to take the next step in their officiating journey and do some work devoted toward improving their skills and advancing their careers.
One of the most effective ways to do that is by attending an officiating camp or referee training camp. These camps provide hands-on experience, feedback from experienced clinicians, and opportunities to refine mechanics, rules knowledge, and communication skills. In this post, we’ll give you some tips about camp: what to look for, what to expect, and how to maximize your development.
Why Officiating Camps Matter
Officiating camps are one of the best environments for sports officiating development. They provide:
Real-game experience in a structured setting
Direct feedback from experienced officials and supervisors
Opportunities to improve positioning, mechanics, and communication
Exposure to higher levels of officiating
For officials looking to grow, officiating camps can accelerate development in ways regular-season games cannot.
Camp Preparation and Setting Expectations
Pick a camp that meets you where you are
There are many officiating camps available, each designed for different experience levels and goals. Some camps are designed to support officials in their development, while others are specifically for the purpose of getting hired in a particular conference or league. Before registering for a camp, it's a great idea to talk to your mentor or assigner to ask them which camps might be best for you to attend.
Consider cost and logistics
Officiating camps can be a significant investment. Be sure to factor in:
Travel expenses
Hotel accommodations
Meals
Time away from work or school
If your budget is limited, you likely don’t want to travel out of state for a camp that will require you to fly, pay for a hotel, and either rent a car or pay for ride shares.
Questions to ask before attending
Is this a teaching camp or a hiring camp?
Are meals or lodging included?
How many games will I work?
Are classroom sessions included?
What is the expected schedule?
Know expectations before you arrive
Camp expectations vary wildly, and one of the worst things you can do is show up to a camp unprepared for what camp directors/clinicians expect from campers.
Uniform requirements: Some camps require officials to wear full uniform, while others either allow summer uniforms or provide a shirt you’re expected to wear. Know what’s expected, down to the color of socks you should wear.
Game workload: Some camps will work the dog out of you, with six or seven games in a weekend, while others will only expect you to work much less. Knowing what is expected before camp makes it easier to pack.
Classroom sessions: Bring a notebook or device for notes if there is a classroom element included.
Have a clear idea of your goals
If you’ve just finished your first year officiating, a jump to the professional level isn’t likely to happen right away. However, setting clear goals for your development can give you direction.
For example:
Next year, my goal is to work at least one three-person varsity game.
Next year, my goal is to earn my first postseason assignment.
Having specific goals helps you identify what you need to improve to get there. Talking with your mentor or assigner about areas for growth can also provide valuable guidance.
How to Maximize Your Officiating Camp Experience
Show up ready to work
When you show up to camp, make sure you are in shape and ready to meet the physical demands of your sport, especially if you will be working multiple games a day.
Bring:
Water and snacks
Extra socks and compression gear
Towels and recovery items
Many veteran officials will show up to camp carrying a small cooler and a folding chair.
Be a sponge
You are investing time and money into attending a referee training camp. Take full advantage of it.
Take detailed notes during classroom sessions.
Listen in on clinician conversations with officials working the games when they have quick check-ins at halftime and after games.
Ask for clarification on feedback when you need it.
Observe how other officials are coached.
Pick the brains of other officials at every opportunity.
If you get an opportunity, ask the clinicians/observers if they have anything to share with you regarding your work that they didn’t previously mention, or about a play in one of your previous games.
Don’t be “That Guy”
There’s always an official or two at every camp whose response to every suggestion or statement by a clinician is “Yeah, but…,”. Doing so is dismissive of feedback from clinicians. An important word of advice: DON’T DO THIS. Most of the time, the clinicians at a camp work at the level to which you aspire. For the most part, they work at these camps for little or no pay to give back to their sport. When they give advice or feedback, it comes from a place of experience. It also comes from a place of support, as they have been where you are. Being a “Yeah, but…,” guy is deeply disrespectful and will serve no purpose other than blocking your growth as an official.
Camp Reflection
Consolidate your notes
Hopefully, you’ve written down lots of different things you’ve learned over the course of the camp. Take some time to consolidate these notes and put them into a document that you can use and study to help you continue to improve your game going forward.
Apply what you’ve learned
The real value of officiating camps comes after you leave. I suggest that you try everything that was suggested to you. Not all of it will work for you, and that’s okay; what’s important is that you take the feedback you were given and put it into practice.
Try new techniques
Adjust your mechanics
Implement feedback
Ideally, you’ll have an opportunity to work some games shortly after camp that will allow you to do this. The best time to experiment is early in the season, not during high-stakes games.
Take the next step
Officiating camps are one of the most effective tools for improving as a sports official. By choosing the right camp, preparing properly, and staying open to feedback, officials can significantly accelerate their development.
Put in the work, then take advantage of it: Jump back into the rule book, get back on that field of play, and take what you’ve learned and take your game to the next level. Good luck!