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Recruiting Tips

Differences between camps, showcases, combines and clinics

October 18, 2023

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Recruiting camps are filled with high school and college prospects who have varying levels of athletic ability.

Recruiting camps are the most common type of event because they usually consist of large groups of prospects with varying levels of athletic ability. The criteria for attending varies depending on the camp: some invite only, while others are open to the public. Prospects can attend recruiting camps as early as middle school, and up until college. Some camps are classified by position while others are multi-position. There’s also a mix of single-sport and multi-sport camps available to prospects.

Regardless of the type of camp you attend, it is important to make sure it fits your needs before committing yourself. Recruiting camps offer athletes an opportunity to get exposure, learn new skills and be evaluated by college coaches at all levels.

Showcases are highly selective events that attract some of the top prospects in the country.

Recruiting showcases are highly selective events that attract some of the top prospects in the country. They are not for everyone, but they can be a great opportunity to get noticed by college coaches. There are regional and national showcases, which allow players to compete against athletes in their region or across the country, respectively. Some showcases are invitation only, while others have an open registration policy. Additionally, there may be camps that combine competition with instructional training from coaches and clinics will focus on emphasizing instruction and education from coaches or former athletes.

Recruiting combines invite prospects to test their skills and athleticism in front of college coaches and scouts.

A recruiting combine is an event where college coaches and scouts evaluate prospects based on their athleticism and skill. This provides a further look at your abilities than what can be seen in game film since you’ll be competing against other athletes. Athletes will have their skills tested, sometimes with a coach or scout there, or just in front of everyone to show off their abilities.

Clinics feature a single sport or skill set, whereas recruiting camps are multi-sport or multi-positional events.

Recruiting clinics feature a single sport or skill set, whereas recruiting camps are multi-sport or multi-positional events. Recruiting combines allow athletes to showcase their skills for college coaches and scouts. For example, a basketball clinic might focus on shooting drills, while a football camp will feature multiple football drills and positions.

This guide will answer the following questions:

  • What is the difference between attending a recruiting camp, clinic or combine?
  • Can you attend more than one event at one time?
  • Should you attend all types of recruiting events if invited?

Recruiting camps usually offer instruction in multiple sports or skill sets to help athletes become better overall performers.

For student-athletes, a recruiting camp can offer the opportunity to improve overall performance and possibly increase exposure to college coaches. Generally, camps are multi-sport or multi-positional events, so if you are interested in more than one sport or position within a sport, attending a camp can be a great way to learn and improve your skills.

At these camps, coaches get an up close look at athletes. This offers a unique advantage for players seeking increased exposure on the field.

Recruiting showcases typically include a series of drills and games, so participants can showcase their skills for college coaches.

  • You’ll have the opportunity to be selected to showcase your skills in front of college coaches. Unlike combines, which are more generic events that allow college coaches to evaluate athletes in comparison with one another, showcases specifically feature drills and games, so participants can show their individual skills. This format often leads them to be more selective about who’s invited.
  • Showcases are usually more expensive than camps and combines, but they’re worth considering because they can help you get exposure with colleges when you might not otherwise have it. If a coach from a school you’re interested in sees you play at an event, then they may follow up with you or invite you to a camp on their campus later on.

Recruiting combines provide athletes with specific drills in a variety of areas, such as speed, strength, agility and endurance.

Combines are performance-based and test a variety of athletic skills. You may have heard of general combines, which focus on speed, strength, agility and endurance. Other combines include the NFL Draft Combine that tests many skill-specific metrics including height, weight, arm length and speed.

Combines are typically one day events that are multi-sport and open to all players. Combines are a great way to get exposure before high school seasons begin as they tend to be attended by college coaches from the local area looking for potential recruits.

Recruiting clinics provide instruction on one specific sport or skill set to help participants improve their knowledge and technique.

Recruiting clinics provide instruction on one specific sport or skill set to help participants improve their knowledge and technique. These events are sponsored by college coaches, who employ their school’s facilities for the event. Unlike recruiting camps, which host activities for multiple sports and skill sets, clinics focus exclusively on a single sport or skill set. This means that you will participate in drills specific to the clinic’s topic, rather than participating in a variety of athletic activities such as those offered at recruiting camps. Recruiting combines are also limited to a single sport or skill set, but they are more focused on measuring athletes’ physical attributes than developing their skillsets.

Camps have less focus than either combines or clinics, as they provide recreational activities rather than trying to enhance your athletic traits or develop your knowledge of particular sports or skillsets. Recruiting showcases do not offer instruction like clinics do; instead, they allow you to demonstrate your skills without any other formal activities occurring alongside them.

Recruits have several options to choose from, depending on their goals and abilities.

As a potential college athlete, you’re probably familiar with the different types of recruiting events that are available to you, but do you know the differences between each of them? Which type is best for your unique abilities and goals? In this article, we’ll compare showcases, camps and clinics so that you can make the most informed decision possible.

The main goal of a showcase is evaluation. The event is not designed for instruction or improvement; it’s simply an opportunity for athletes to demonstrate their current abilities and potential in front of coaches who may be able to offer an athletic scholarship in the future. Some showcases are free, while others require a fee or advance registration before participating.

A combine is also all about evaluation. Like a showcase, it doesn’t provide instruction or other training opportunities; it just gives athletes the chance to show off their skills before coaches who may be able to give them scholarships in the future. Combines are free in most cases (though some might require advance registration) and typically take place at Division 1 universities rather than at private facilities like showcases do.

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