UCLA fan's guide to watching fall practice

UCLA's fall football camp is underway and crowds should start growing 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 up to 91,136 friends on Saturdays. You can hear the pads crash, coaches yell and kicks boom. You also can enjoy some of the great Los Angeles 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. Times are subject to change, but you can call the football office at (310) 206-6622 to confirm before you leave. All sessions are open to the public through Aug. 16. Officials have not determined which, if any, will be open after that time. Keep an eye on uclabruins.com or call the football office to confirm if you can attend a particular practice.

Don't forget that there's a major tennis tournament going on at UCLA until Aug. 10. Be prepared to walk around a bit. You'll have to enter the field at the northeast gate instead of the regular northwest gate.

We've got a dozen more tips after the jump to help you get the most out of your trip to Spaulding Field.

—Adam Rose

Photo by Lori Shepler / 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. Even though the stands are partially shaded, you might want sunglasses or a hat. And trust me on the sunscreen.

Jacket — It can be in the 80s around midday, but when the sun goes down at Spaulding Field the temperature drops. Think about the time of day. Unless it's an early practice, bring something to put on when it cools down.

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. While the stands are a safe distance from the field, a couple bystanders almost wandered into a drill earlier this week.

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 available briefly after practice to sign autographs. Remember to bring something to get signed (and probably a pen too) and say thank you.

Camera — If you want your picture taken with a player or coach, bring a camera — but wait until practice is over to use it. Nobody is allowed to take photographs of formations, and video is a major no-no. This rule may or may not be enforced by Brian Price and Brigham Harwell. You don't want to find out the hard way.

Grab a roster — The school provides rosters at the gate (or you can print your own copy here). It'll come in handy in trying to identify new players or emerging talents. Some numbers are used twice (one on offense, one on defense), so remember that offense wears blue, defense wears white, quarterbacks wear black and no-contact (injured) players wear red.

Bathrooms — There are no bathrooms at the field, so be prepared for a brief walk. Normally the tennis center is your best bet, but with the tournament going on you'll have to head to Ackerman Union until the Aug. 10.

Parking — There are no two ways about it: Parking at UCLA is terrible. It's crowded (some lots can fill up) so you should plan to arrive early. If you park off campus, parking enforcement is ruthless and it's a hike. The $9 campus day pass is a better deal if you carpool.

Say hello — Even though the tempo is up this year, sometimes practice can get a little slow for spectators. 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 his or her opinion on a position group (people always have 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 the most recent hot links on the main page of this 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 available briefly after practice to sign autographs. Remember to bring something to get signed (and probably a pen too) and say thank you.

Camera — If you want your picture taken with a player or coach, bring a camera — but wait until practice is over to use it. Nobody is allowed to take photographs of formations, and video is a major no-no. This rule may or may not be enforced by Brian Price and Brigham Harwell. You don't want to find out the hard way.

Grab a roster — The school provides rosters at the gate (or you can print your own copy here). It'll come in handy in trying to identify new players or emerging talents. Some numbers are used twice (one on offense, one on defense), so remember that offense wears blue, defense wears white, quarterbacks wear black and no-contact (injured) players wear red.

Bathrooms — There are no bathrooms at the field, so be prepared for a brief walk. Normally the tennis center is your best bet, but with the tournament going on you'll have to head to Ackerman Union until the Aug. 10.

Parking — There are no two ways about it: Parking at UCLA is terrible. It's crowded (some lots can fill up) so you should plan to arrive early. If you park off campus, parking enforcement is ruthless and it's a hike. The $9 campus day pass is a better deal if you carpool.

Say hello — Even though the tempo is up this year, sometimes practice can get a little slow for spectators. 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 his or her opinion on a position group (people always have 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 the most recent hot links on the main page of this blog.