Fan's Guide to Watching Spring Practice

USC's football spring camp is open to the public for all but one of 15 sessions. It's a great opportunity to stand on the sideline and see the players in a much more intimate setting than you'll have with 92,000 friends on Saturdays this fall. You can hear the pads crash, coaches yell, and kicks boom. You can also enjoy some of the great Southern California weather we've been having.

If you've got a kid who plays football (or any sport), it's a good opportunity to show them what it takes to make it at such a high level. There's a lot of dedication and hard work involved. Younger kids might get bored after a while, so keep that in mind as you plan your visit.

For the complete schedule of spring camp, click on this link. Here are a dozen more tips to help you get the most out of your trip to Howard Jones Field:

Sunscreen - Hanging out at spring practice is a great way to get a tan, but it's also a great way to get a sunburn. You might want sunglasses or a hat. But trust me on the sunscreen.

Jacket - It can be in the 80s around midday, but when the sun goes down at Howard Jones Field the temperature plummets. Bring something to put on, no matter how hot it feels when you get to campus.

Never Turn Away - Football players are bigger than you. They move fast. They wear pads. If you get run over, they will feel bad. You will feel worse. The same concerns apply to an errant ball. Always pay attention. If you bring kids, make sure to keep an eye on them.

Water - They don't have concessions at practice, so bring a bottle of water. Maybe a granola bar, too (especially if you bring kids).

Autographs - The coaches and players are great with fans seeking autographs. Remember to bring something to get signed (and probably a pen, too). The best time to catch players is shortly after practice ends. You'll hear three loud horn blasts and the players will get some final words from their coaches before heading to the main gate.

Camera - If you want your picture taken with a player or coach, bring a camera. Don't mess around with video, though. No footage is allowed once the players are done warming up, and the ban goes until practice ends. Any videotaping during the main practice period is a big no-no.

Print A Roster - You can find the official roster here, and it'll come in handy when trying to identify new players or emerging talents. A lot of numbers are used twice (one on offense, one on defense), so remember that offense wears white, defense wears cardinal, and quarterbacks wear yellow.

Bathrooms - There are no bathrooms at the field so be prepared for a brief walk.

Parking - There are no two ways about it: parking at USC sucks. It'll cost you ($7 or $8 for a pass or LOTS of quarters for the meters) and it's hard to find. Arrive early because the first lot or two you try may be full.

Stick Around - I'm not sure how many days this will last, but after practice on Tuesday there were special drills for people trying to walk-on with the team. If you stay late you might be amazed by the difference between the roster players and the hopefuls.

Say Hello - Practice can get a little slow at times. People are pretty friendly, so strike up a conversation. You never know who you might meet. If you don't know what to say to somebody, ask their opinion on a position battle (everybody has something to say about the quarterbacks).

Read Up - If it's just a bunch of numbers crashing into one another, practice may feel a little dull to you. Read the newspaper, a fan site, or other information about the team so that you know what the most compelling subplots are during camp. If you need some suggestions, check out this morning's Hot Links on main page of the blog.