I'll be updating and posting content on my/our social media channels now through the clinic. So follow me on Twitter and note/save the hashtag #ctfclinic.
Same goes for Instagram. So post your pictures and thoughts about the clinic, follow us, tag us and use #ctfclinic.
Clinic aside, I say and posts all types of interesting track and field related stuff so you should follow me just on principle!
Here are answers to a bunch of questions you probably have about the clinic, as well as answers to questions you didn't reallize you have...
1. Fill out in your participation waivers or no soup for you!
WARNING: You will be sent to the line of shame if you/your parents don't accurately fill out the participation waiver before attempting to register.
If you filled it out already, great. If not, do it now. (Click on the middle option, 'minors only'.)
‼️ No, we do not have time to confirm your registration has been received. If you haven't done it or did it incorrectly, you'll get a phone call from us *and* an email.
Click here to fill out your waivers.
2. Download the CTF Clinic App (check your email for instructions)
This is where we will be posting everything you need to know about the clinic from schedules to hand outs, etc. We will also use the app to send group messages in real time so you are aware of any changes to the schedule, changes to the field/facility written on the schedule, weather alerts and updates, etc.
If you're a coach/athlete attending the clinic, obviously you should download it. But, if you're a parent that wants to keep updated or find your kid/s, this is important to have.
3. What you need to bring with you to the clinic
-LUNCH: We will provide lunch for all paying coaches/athletes. Day 1 will be subs and fruit. Day 2 will be pizza and salad. If your nutrition game is next level and this offering does not meet your culinary standards, that's cool. We invite you to bring your own delicacies for lunch time.
-FLUIDS:
It is summer. And you will be outside in the sun all day.
We will provide an endless supply of water and gatorade for all paying coaches/athletes. However...
-ATHLETES
-Bring Your Own Personal Water Bottle! We'll have plastic cups, but your life will be much better if you have your own water bottle that you put your name on.
Some advice you'll thank me for later:
- Get a regular plastic water bottle. Put a piece of athletic tape around it. Write your name on it. Now it will be easy to find and you won't care if you lose it. If we run low on cups before they get restocked and you don't have your own bottle then you'll wish you took 11 seconds to make your own.
- Only fill your water bottle half way. Why? Because this way the water/gatorade won't get warm before you finish it.
-Bring your spikes in addition to your regular trainers.
-Bring sunscreen especially if you are of the fairer skinned persuasion.
-Bring workout gear because it's a clinic and you'll be exercising.
-Bring questions because this is your opportunity to consume as much information as possible.
-Bring a towel if you are the extra sweaty type. Plus if it rains we're still outside so you might want to dry yourself off.
-Bring sunglasses because you'll be outside most of the day.
-Bring a positive attitude because you'll get more out of the clinic if you're a 'glass half full' type of human.
-COACHES
-Bring a notebook and/or video camera because there will be too much information to memorize unless you are some sort of savant in which case come see me because I have questions.
-Bring sunscreen especially if you are of the fairer skinned persuasion
-Bring a chair because you might not want to stand for 7 hours, though the grass is always an option
-Bring questions because this is your opportunity to consume as much information as possible
-Bring a towel if you are the extra sweaty type plus it will likely rain at some point.
-Bring sunglasses and a safari hat because you'll probably be outside most of the day and you don't want to get a headache.
-Bring a positive attitude because you'll get more out of the clinic if you're a 'glass half full' type of human
-Bring an umbrella in case it rains because we'll be outside anyway and it gets cold when you're just standing there.
4. Inclement Weather
It's New England in July so thunderstorms can pop up at any moment. We DO NOT have access to the indoor track this year because they're doing construction in there.
But, if we feel we should pause the clinic we will let the weather pass and then extend the clinic the amount of time there was a delay. There are no makeup dates. We will get through the curriculum on Saturday and Sunday regardless of weather.
But, we do have a back up plan if we get storms or a monsoon so you won't be standing around with nothing to do if the clinic gets delayed.
5. Parking & Directions
Parking is one thing that is out of our control. There are parking meters that you can use or you can park across the street at the Business School for $14 per day. The parking meters are $5 for 4 hours of parking. You can park on North Harvard Street and a few other streets in the area for free if you can find it. Because it is the weekend and the summer, it will not be as crazy as during the school year. Regardless, the parking office will be notified not to ticket people during the ‘drop off’ time for the camp.
Click here for more information regarding parking.
There are two areas to park, at the track facility itself or at the Harvard Business School. I recommend the Business School.
We’ll have ‘Blue Shirts’ (staff) and signs directing you toward the two parking areas we have available as well as directing you from the Harvard Business School to the Registration area.
However, please save and print this form for specific directions and maps of the facility: Parking and directions
If you’re coming in from the hotel, it is only a half mile from the track.
BE AWARE OF THIS: There will be a football camp taking place at the same time as our event. There may be traffic.
More importantly - You will be charged to park by facility staff if you try to drop your athlete/s off right at the indoor track. So don't pull into the stadium unless you plan to pay to park. You can't drop athletes off at the entrance.
If you plan to come in with your kid, plan to pay to park.
Again, not our rule and not under our control.
6. Registration
Registration on Saturday/Day 1 will begin at 8:15am and run until 9:00am.
We will not start registration before 8:15am. If you show up at 7:15, prepare to sit around until 8:15 to register and then another 45 minutes after that.
At 9:00, we'll start moving into groups. If you're in the Line of Shame, that's on you. You'll have to join your group late.
When you arrive at the facility, staff (blue shirts) and signs will direct you where to go. We will start at exactly 8:15 and not before. You will register by event group, but please note:
*All* jumpers will register together.
*All* throwers will register together.
In addition to the event group tables, there will be a ‘Didn’t Pay Attention to Detail’ table (Administration), which is basically the ‘we have a problem with your registration table’. After you register you have *two* options:
1. Go back and sit in the bleachers until we start up at 8:59AM
2. Roam around the facility until 8:59am when you are required to be back in the bleachers.
If you show up late and have to do the walk of shame through the whole facility into the bleachers, I WILL CALL YOU OUT! Ask around, it will give me great joy.
After Coach Mangiacotti and I make our announcements, you will break off into the event group you signed up for and begin the most mind altering 2 days of your track and field career.
7. Sneaky Parents & Coaches
When I catch parents and coaches being sneaky.
Every registered coach will get a name tag. Athletes will get race bibs. Those are your credentials.
Every yearI catch a sneaky parent or coach in a restricted area. Hopefully that doesn’t happen this year because I hate to see little kids cry. And that’s probably what will happen when I have to kick your kid out of the clinic because you cheated.
Same with coaches. You can't buy one pass and use it for multiple people. I caught people doing it last year. People must think I'm dumb or that I'm afraid to bounce you from the clinic.
Business Latif doesn't play.
Parents (who are not registered as coaches) will not be allowed in the practice areas. If you’re watching outdoors near the track or throwing fields, you must remain in the designated areas which will be marked.
8. Stuff to Do While You Wait
Looking for some info on what you can do and where you can go during the day? Save and print out this form for directions to Harvard Square, places to eat, ATMs, Transportation options, etc.:
-=-=-=-=
That's all I've got because I already know this will be enough to frighten and confuse people. If you have questions about what is contained in this post, I'll answer them below.
-See you soon!
Latif