[crosscountry55]

Something to talk about on Sunday while we wait for Monday (or watch the women's final which, I must say, I suddenly anticipate now that the UConn inertia has been broken...but I digress).

I've noticed while watching D1 men's officials this year, and in particular during the tournament, that many officials while signaling a held ball will use the stop clock signal first, then close down on the action, and after exhaling first, finally use the held ball signal.

I've always been taught that this is the one instance where you go straight to the signal without "stopping the clock" first. Was there a philosophy change on this in the last couple of years while I wasn't paying attention? If so, what's the rationale?