USC Fan's Guide to Watching Fall Practice

USC's fall football camp is open to the public and crowds should really start growing this Friday. 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 93,607 friends on Saturdays. You can hear the pads crash, coaches yell, and kicks boom. You can also enjoy some of the great Southern California weather.

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. Remember that the times are subject to change, but you can call the football office at (213) 740-4204 to confirm before you leave. USCRipsIt put together a good Practice Primer, and we've got a dozen more tips after the jump to help you get the most out of your trip to Howard Jones Field.

-- Adam Rose

Photo by Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times

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. Unless it's an early practice, 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) and remember to say thank you. 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. (Two blasts just indicates a new drill.)

Camera - If you want your picture taken with a player or coach, bring a camera -- but wait until practice is over to use it. The general public is not allowed to take photographs, and video is a major no-no. But once you hear those three horns, it's not big deal.

Print A Roster - USCFootball.com plans on handing out numerical rosters at most practices, but you can come prepared by printing it yourself (click here to download). 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. For an alphabetical version, head over to the school's website.

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 ($8 for a pass or LOTS of quarters for the meters) and it's hard to find. The good news is that most students don't move in until Aug. 22. After that? Arrive early because the first lot or two you try may be full.

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 group (everybody has something to say about the tailbacks).

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 the most recent Hot Links on main page of the blog.

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) and remember to say thank you. 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. (Two blasts just indicates a new drill.)

Camera - If you want your picture taken with a player or coach, bring a camera -- but wait until practice is over to use it. The general public is not allowed to take photographs, and video is a major no-no. But once you hear those three horns, it's not big deal.

Print A Roster - USCFootball.com plans on handing out numerical rosters at most practices, but you can come prepared by printing it yourself (click here to download). 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. For an alphabetical version, head over to the school's website.

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 ($8 for a pass or LOTS of quarters for the meters) and it's hard to find. The good news is that most students don't move in until Aug. 22. After that? Arrive early because the first lot or two you try may be full.

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 group (everybody has something to say about the tailbacks).

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 the most recent Hot Links on main page of the blog.