Discovering the Value Of Camps

Competition is not what it used to be in regards to intercollegiate recruiting. With all the media outlets available to high school athletes, a talented player may be overlooked for someone who can edit a YouTube video and throw some music behind it. Unfortunately, for high school athletes raw talent may not be enough to get the kind of exposure to potential college programs that you are looking for. This isn’t to say you need to create a social media campaign, but high school athletes with a desire to take his or her athletic career to the next level should always look for an advantage. Competitive athletic camps like our EXACT National Player Development Camps give dedicated soccer, baseball, and hockey players that edge.

Attending intensive camps is not a revolutionary idea. For example, in ancient Greek society parents often sent their children to military based recreation camps to give them a leg up on other future Spartan soldiers. The problem is; athletic intensive camps are occasionally overlooked resources.

Like I stated before; it is all too common for an athlete with Division I talent to not get the exposure he or she deserves, and slips through the cracks. This could cause the loss of a better education, missed scholarships, and missed opportunities to develop your game at the highest level. If you are serious player or you are the parent of a serious player looking to play at the next level, you owe yourself these opportunities. 

So what do all competitive athletic camps have to offer?

All of them provide the opportunity to learn and practice new skills to transform your game.  Like any other student, many would argue that you are never done learning. That is the same for sports. For example; even Tiger Woods gets coached. Also, some camps offer a unique opportunity for exposure that a lot of athletes may not get otherwise.

So what does EXACT National College Development Clinic (NCDC)?

In short: All of the above and more. Not only does EXACT NCDC offer you all the physical training you need to take your game to the next level, but it also offers unique MENTAL training too. Being a sports psychology based company, EXACT provides training with the same psychological tools that the pros use. Imagine the difference that anxiety management, improved confidence, goal setting, unparalleled motivation can bring to your game. These are things scouts look for apart from physical talent.

You also get another valuable resource: exposure. This doesn’t just mean exposure for scouting purposes, but rather a unique exposure to college-level methods of development. EXACT Sports works with the top athletic programs at the Division I, II, and III levels. The coaches we work with are the coaches at the camp, giving you direct exposure and the ability to learn directly from the people recruiting you. Here’s an abbreviated list of the Soccer, Baseball, and Hockey programs who coach our camps:

                University of North Carolina

                University of Texas

                University of Miami

                Oklahoma State University

                Marquette University

                University of Arizona

                University of Utah

                University of Wisconsin

                Indiana University

                And many more…

Where else are you going to experience this type of exposure AT THE SAME TIME? Now let me clearly state these are not recruiting events. However, in the EXACT Sports network, coaches talk, and players looking for more exposure may open a valuable doorway to the future.

But what does the research say? Well, in a recent study by Georgia Hinman PhD she found out just how valuable these camps are.

“46% of D1 athletes attended exposure camps and 88% found it useful.  Same thing at the D3 level as well with 32% attending and 94% finding it useful.   While it is very important to attend camps, there are a options that need to be considered when selecting camps including coach to player ratio, quality of the instructors, mission & quality of the training, costs involved and other factors.  With approximately 64% of D1 players attending 4 or more youth camps, it could possibly be attributed to the amount of training and exposure the athletes were given (28% attended 10 or more)”

 The EXACT goal is to provide not only a well-structured training experience, but to also provide a strong ‘value’ from unique mental development and exposure to many programs at once.

The key for all players looking to play intercollegiate sports and beyond is to give yourself as much of an advantage as possible. EXACT Sports NCDC provides an unbelievable ‘bang for your buck.’ Take it from a former player; even if you are unable to attend our camp do not overlook other competitive exposure camps that will give you that leg up. They may just be the most valuable resource available.

~ Eric @ Exact

*If you have any questions about our upcoming events please feel free to email myself or my colleague Jared @ eric.rancke@exactsports.org or jared.blitz@exactsports.org *

15 Reasons Why Every Athlete Should Attend this College Camp (Part 2)

Yesterday we discussed how the EXACT Sports NPDC has been rated compared to a traditional camp, a tournament, a showcase and a training regimen.
Part 1 – By the Numbers
Part 2 – What’s Being Said: Hear the Uncensored Reviews of EXACT camps
Part 3 – Worth the Money

Here we continue explaining why every high school player should consider attending this sports camp for at least 15 reasons:

What’s Being Said: Hear the Uncensored Reviews of EXACT camps:
5) From a player that has attended dozens of college camps, showcases and tournaments — “I liked how the coaches actually cared about the camp.”

6) Other players agree EXACT provides a superior experience.

Here are some more uncensored comments… we don’t even fix the typos and spelling mistakes:

“The constant physical and mental alertness required both days of the camp definitely took a toll on me, regardless of the soreness and mental fatiuge I exhibitted by the end of the second day I rate this camp, as one who looks like at the big picture, as the best of many camps I have attended and in turn reccomend this camp to any serious player. I enjoyed every aspect of this camp. There was never a static moment. Thanks!”
“It was a great experience having the opportunity to train with some of the top college coaches and having one on one conversations with them.”
“I thought the camp was a blast. I learned so much about how the mental part of the game is just as important as the physical part.”
“Great for all ages and level of players. Really gives you a taste of what College Athletics is like”
“Camp was a great experience. It allowed me to find a comfort zone at a college level and interact with real college coaches who gladly give advice.”
“I hade a great time at camp, the coaching staff was excellent and meeting head coaches was awsome.”
“this camp helped me realizer my strengths and weaknesses and i learned how to play my position i normally play better”
“This camp really does give you the opportunity to gain both physically and mentally as a player. Usually when players attend camps it’s revolved all around the physical aspect, but this camp also challenges you mentally!”
“This camp will improve your mental game in all aspects”

7) From a parent that knows the player deserves better: “Superb, hand selected, motivated coaching staff who took a personal interest in each and every player’s individual learning and development. Of special interest, the inclusion of the parents in the background, philosophy and training techniques was vital to the success of camp. I would highly recommend this camp to anyone who wishes for their athlete son/daughter to have “the edge.” Job well done, EXACT!”

8] All parents saw the benefits. Below are comments from parents of soccer, baseball and hockey players:

“My son was very pleased with the camp because he really felt as though everything he did had a reason for doing. He felt that the program made him think about his self more and his role as a player.”
“I didn’t have a chance to talk with any of the coaches, but from what I did see they did a fine job in training the boys.”
“The Camp seemed well run, efficient. The psychology side was a new and welcome addition to a traditional camp.”
“There are always thing that we “know” we just don’t “know why.” From my perspective, this camp displayed the fact that being mentally “trained” or prepared is possibly just as important for developing players. For those such as my son, who is a linear thinker, having logic applied to soccer through “sports science” makes things easier for him to understand and accept.”
“Very in-depth program gives the player many angles to improve their game.”
“Phenomenal, thorough mental/psychological approach with applications to a player’s individual needs and characteristics; these analyses and tools apply not to sports alone, but to the player’s daily life in school, community, church and family as well.”
“Our son came out with a different outlook about how important the mental aspect of the game is. Definately a very postive experience for him.”
“I like the camp because at no time the playes were idle on the field. Their time was used effectively.”
“My son, as a goalie, usually finds practices somewhat mundane, as they are designed for field players. We go to Brian Jones at the St. Louis Goalkeeping Academy anyway, so there was not a huge impact for us from the coaching aspect, but it did make us realize how fortunate we are to have Brian as a resource available to us. Still, any further breakdown between field players and goalkeepers will only help validate the keepers and their value to the team. This camp was the best I have seen so far in trying to address the keepers specifically. Thanks!”
“For years I have tried to tell my children that their mental preparation and mind-set are an important, if not the most important part of their ability. Your camp told my son exactly that. It was good for him to hear it from someone other than his father as teens seem to think their parents don’t know much. Thank you for your help.”
“This is a great experience for both parents and players; definitely will suggest a follow up routine that player needs to do so he can achieve level to play college soccer. For example does he needs weights, speed, stamina, exrcises , this will help a lot.”
“As a parent of a high school athlete looking for something outside of the technical experience that can be easily obtained in various ways this weekend allowed us the opportunity to learn the other aspects to make a well rounded athlete and using college coaches in this processes only reaffirms to the students that this is an important factor to make it in college thanks again first time experience with this type of training.”

9) College coaches had rave reviews working with the players at the EXACT college baseball camps, college soccer camps, and college hockey camps:
“I really enjoyed working with the Exact Camp. I have done quite a few camps, but none that emphasize and focus on the mental side of the game. The camp put some things in perspective for me, and Im sure I will use some of these ideas in my future sessions. The players receive a great benefit from this camp. Most kids coming out of high school assume that the physical and technical part of the game are the only things that coaches look for, and never really train their mental components (Confidence, competitiveness, ability to dismiss mistake, etc). This camp gives the kids an opportunity to train the mental side of things while continueing to progress their technical and physical part of their game.”
“The best thing about this camp is that it makes players aware of how important the metal aspect of the game is. The sooner players can train themselves mentally as well as the physical and technical aspects of the game, then they are already putting themselves a step ahead of others and in a postion to succeed!”
“I believe the athletes were able to get a better understanding of what college coaches are looking for in players. Alot of these young men although play at high club levels, have not idea what it take to enter a good D1 college program. In most cases the psyhological side of the game is what seperates this high level youth player from the high level college player.”
“I certainly enjoyed my weekend in Miami working the EXACT NPDC. The combination of working with other skilled coaches and the professional psychology component was excellent. Each young player in attendance received a personal soccer and psychological evaluation that will hopefully structure his own personal development for the future. I hope to be invited to another NPDC!”
“As a coach, I enjoyed the freedom to work with the players on areas we felt important but also identify how it relates to classroom sessions. So often, coaches complain about the metality of players at a older youth level but it’s an area that is often not addressed by coaches themselves. Coaches need to address how a players approaches the game mentally and I feel the camp encourages players to do that. Players learn how to prepare for not just games, but more improtantly practice. I also enjoyed the high quality of coaches I was working with. I felt the discussion with groups based on their position (forwards, defenders etc), was very informative and well worthwhile. I also like the idea of the player individually interacting with the coach and asking questions.”
“I enjoy coaching new faces and watching players improve over the course of a camp. I would certainly recommend players attend any EXACT National Player Development Camp they can. Not only do they get coached by some of the best coaches in College football but they also get to learn the mental aspect that defines a great football player.”
“EXACT National Development Camps are groundbreaking in an area that no other camp in this country has put much, if any, emphasis in. As a former professional player, I understand how important of a part mental training plays in attaining peak performance and I would recommend this camp to any player who is aspires to attain an elite status. Players are given the tools to begin understanding how important this aspect of the game is and how to appropriately use those tools on a daily basis where results can start to be seen immediately. I felt like the session on “flow” or “zone” and how to purposefully attain that state of being was fantastic in terms of it’s information and usefullness.”

To learn more about the college sports camps, please visit:
EXACT Baseball National Player Development Camp (series of college baseball camps)
EXACT Soccer National Player Development Camp (series of college soccer camps)
EXACT Hockey National Player Development Camp (series of college hockey camps)

15 Reasons Why Every Athlete Should Attend this College Camp (Part 1)

The EXACT Sports NPDC approach is the only player training experience to blend the benefits of a college camp, a tournament, a showcase and a training regimen into a well-structured experience for high school athletes. Every high school player should consider attending this sports camp for at least 15 reasons, which will be discussed in 3 blog posts:
Part 1 – By the Numbers
Part 2 – What’s Being Said: Hear the Uncensored Reviews of EXACT camps
Part 3 – Worth the Money

Part 1 – By the Numbers: EXACT is rated best camp, recommended by Parents, Players & Coaches

1) BEST CAMP FOR PLAYERS: >99% of players would consider coming to a future camp. When asked to rate different activities, the EXACT National Player Development Camp beat them all:
207% better than a traditional camp
213% better than a tournament
213% better than a showcase

Of those attending (which includes upcoming high school graduates), a resounding 87% said “definitely yes” to signing up again for the summer.

2) BEST CAMP FOR PARENTS: >98% of parents would consider sending their player to a future camp. 92% believe these same tools and training provided at the camp would be valuable to their player’s own club / HS team. All smiles from the parents — 100% were either very happy, happy or content with the quality of the coaches, the accessibility of their player to the coaches, and the location and amenities at the facility. When asked to rate different activities, the parents agreed with the player’s — better than any other experience:
263% better than a practice event with Club or HS team
194% better than a tournament
219% better than a showcase

3) NCAA COLLEGE COACH APPROVED: The majority of college coaches say that the National Player Development Camp is significantly better than other college camps. 100% of coaches agree that the NPDC is better than the average camp and 100% would like to instruct at a future NPDC.

4) HS & CLUB COACH INVOLVED: The tools from this camp are admired and used by current high school, travel, and club coaches. Over 10,000 youth coaches interact with us every year and continually recommend sending their players to this extra training and college development camp.

To learn more about the college sports camps, please visit:
EXACT Baseball National Player Development Camp (series of college baseball camps)
EXACT Soccer National Player Development Camp (series of college soccer camps)
EXACT Hockey National Player Development Camp (series of college hockey camps)

Welcome to EXACT Sports: Developing the Complete Athlete

EXACT’s mental tools provide athletes, coaches and teams with essential support in player monitoring and development.

EXACT Sports — new look, same scientific organization

To allow better communication with parents, coaches, and players, EXACT has redesigned its website to provide more opportunities for visitors to learn about EXACT’s unique approach as well as provide improved ways for us to interact those committed to excellence in sports. New features we hope you’ll explore on this site are in improved method of contacting us, sport-specific sites for athletes and their parents, as well as information about our scientific approach. We hope you’ll look around tell us what you think!