The New England Patriots’ most recent Super Bowl victory is a testament to the importance of preparation.

For the last 15 years, countless hours of film study, efficient practices and a team-first mentality have cemented the legacy of Bill Belichick’s teams as one of the great NFL dynasties. The Patriots’ success shows that talent alone is not enough to reach the peak of one’s potential.  

Young players should keep this in mind as they continue offseason training. For some, that includes attending camps, either at local colleges or one of USA Football’s Regional Development Camps in the coming months.

The two-day, non-contact camps run February to May and feature divisions for high school (grades 9-11) and middle school (grades 6-8). While also serving as an initial tryout for U.S. National Teams, high school participants receive premier coaching and recruiting exposure to current NCAA coaches while middle school athletes get instruction from some of the region’s top high school coaches.

Colleges often invite the players to spring and summer camps who already have their interest, but the majority of these events are open to anyone. For younger athletes, they can be an excellent way to get a foot in the door.

Don Whitcomb, the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Old Dominion University, will once again participate at USA Football Regional Development Camps in Atlanta and Boston. He provided a few suggestions for how athletes can prepare ahead of time to get an edge at camps.

Find schools of interest. Players who know the colleges they are interested in can get a jump on seeing which offer camps and how they can attend. That will provide an opportunity to visit campuses and work with the coaching staffs.

While RDCs are not recruiting events, athletes gain exposure to top college coaches to get a taste of what playing at the next level is like. Doing some homework about who will be at a given camp can give student-athletes an important opportunity to kick start their college research.

“Find the location of the school and if it has your major to make sure you’re still interested,” Whitcomb said. “Also, pay attention to the personalities of the different coaches and their styles. Decide what kind of coach you want to play for.”

Be coachable. Having the right mindset from the beginning is critical. Scouts want to see players who have the necessary skill sets to compete at the next level and individuals who are respectful of their coaches and teammates who are willing to take constructive criticism.

“You can tell the difference pretty easily with kids who have been preparing and show up with a certain mentality,” Whitcomb said. “Come in and try to be as coachable as possible. You’re going to be challenged during this camp. You’re not going to do everything perfectly. Keep an open mind, take the coaching and try to get better with each rep.”

Bring backup equipment … for everything. Proper footwear is especially critical during the spring and summer camps when the temperature on the turf rises.

“Bring anything you would have at a normal game or practice and maybe a backup set, especially any medications,” Whitcomb said.

Focus on position-specific improvement. Speed, strength and other physical attributes are developed through longterm training programs. Regional Development Camps emphasize proper technique in position-specific drills.

“Focusing on position-specific fundamentals allows (players) to make a good impression on college coaches and improve their skill sets heading into next year,” Whitcomb said.

For those with the ability to play college football or make the U.S. National Team, a Regional Development Camp can be a stepping-stone for their careers. Even for those who have never played a down before, “The worst case scenario is you’re gonna get better,” Whitcomb said.

 “The people who put the most work into their craft will be the ones who have the most success. This is a phenomenal opportunity to try out for the national team and make an impression on college coaches. Make the most of it.”