Summer is officially here and the NFL teams have published their training camp schedules for the 2010 NFL football season. There is no better summer vacation for families than a visit to watch the NFL players prepare for the upcoming season.
Every year in late July, NFL players, coaches, administrators, and other staff members head to training ground. For 3 to 4 weeks, players and coaches work hard to improve their personal and team performance. It’s great to see the rigorous work that players put in to prepare for the 16-game regular season.
Many of the 32 teams in the NFL camp outside of their hometown. For example, the Baltimore Ravens have a training camp 1 hour from Baltimore in Westminster, MD and the Chicago Bears have theirs in Bourbannais, IL, 1.5 hours south of Chicago.
Field practices are usually open to the public and are free. This means that fans can see the players at work: participating in drills, 7v7, and joking around with teammates, coaches, and even fans. Also, for fantasy football players, it is an opportunity to see the players up close before the fantasy football draft.
All 32 NFL teams hold public practices, but each varies in their schedules, policies and. Here are 5 tips to get the most out of your visit to NFL training camp – Here are the training camp locations and dates.
one) Items for physical comfort.. There are many things you should bring to make sure you and your crew are as comfortable as possible. This is especially true if you bring children with you. Remember, boot camp is outdoors and occurs in late July and early August. In many places, this means that it will be hot. Bottled water, snacks, sunscreen, hats, and even seats like you might take to a kids’ soccer game. Different teams offer different seating arrangements and supplies for the shade. They all have some kind of tradeoffs, but they can be pricey and probably not the healthiest options. (By the way, parking is usually free)
two) Confirm the practice time, place and arrive early. The benefit of being there early is that you can watch the players come onto the field and stretch. You will quickly see the personality of each player in the moment and the way they enter the field. It is also a great opportunity to see the players up close, many times before they put on their protections or helmets. Great photo opportunities and sometimes autographs and short conversations. Be sure to allow time for traffic, parking, and walking to the premises from the parking area. (Most teams provide information on their official parking websites)
3) Bring a camera, markers and pens, and mini helmets, pennants, hats, jerseys, T-shirts, and other items you’d like to autograph.. First of all, when we say bring a camera, we mean a real camera. While cell phone cameras have expanded our universe, for an NFL training camp, a real camera is much better. For example, zooming in may be the best way to get a close-up of Peyton Manning as he works with the backups and the quarterback coach in a far field. Or you may want more megapixels for the photo of you and Larry Fitzgerald while visiting Flagstaff, AZ.
For autographs, opportunities will vary based on team policies. Each team will have designated autograph sessions and some autograph opportunities are dependent on the personalities of the various players. For example, at each training camp, the Pittsburgh Steelers hold practice on Friday nights at a local high school in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. When practice begins, the entire Steelers team walks to the fences around the field and signs autographs for about 15 minutes.
4) Get a good night’s sleep and save your voice. A visit to an NFL training ground is a lot of fun and can be very exhausting. Like a trip to an amusement park: the excitement + the sun + the heat can tire us all. Some of us can even become irritable. Be sure to follow this advice and the others to reduce the likelihood of irritability. Plus, get ready to cheer on your favorites. Whether it’s yelling hello to Eight Five or joining in a performance of Bear Down Chicago Bears with other fans, training camp is a great opportunity to show your team spirit.
5) Bring a soccer ball and other small games to play. There is nothing more inspiring than watching professional soccer players practice. That is why you will see countless pig skins flying and fans executing patterns as the pros practice in the field.
Some teams may even provide activity-filled children’s areas or allow you to help with practice (fans at Raven’s camp can play field goal attempts on the side fields). Check your team’s website to find out what kind of activities they offer at their facilities. They all likely have souvenir shops, so be prepared for that!
6) Dress up like it’s a game! Players, coaches and other fans will appreciate your full support during camp. Two practices a day is grueling, and enthusiastic fans can easily change the momentum at camp. Prepare your jerseys, team jerseys, caps and flags. Remember, the real season is just around the corner and we could all use a tune-up.
