Zev Taublieb breaks down how to pick recruiting camps: go to ones you actually care about, pick schools where you fit skill-wise, and choose mass camps in 8th-10th grade, then single-school camps as a junior or senior. A coach's reference matters even if you're below the elite program's level.
Are you afraid you won't be recruited because you don't know which camps to go to? Here are 3 ways to pick which camps you need to go to. Number 1, do you have genuine interest? That is the most important factor. Number 2, at the camp, are there schools there that are realistic for you? If you're going to a UCLA or Stanford ID camp or Pepperdine and you are not the level, then it is a waste of time 70% of the time. The way it could be helpful is the coach could be be a reference for you because they've seen you in person, which does have weight. Number 3, if you are an 8th grade, 9th grade, or 10th grader, you can go to mass ID camps where there's many schools. If you're a junior, senior, you should go to ID camps with just one school or maybe a couple others, but don't go to the mass ID camps. For you, you have to focus on individual schools at this point. If you want a list of camps that I recommend, comment "camps" and I'll send you a list.
