(that I've made here a few times before and) that I think can be made here again is that the mechanics of making a call and communicating that call to your partner, the players, and the crowd is simple. I say simple because you have the great example in your book - you've got a picture of every mechanic. Your arm is supposed to be here; your fingers are like such; this signal comes first and then follow it with this one. This is simple. You've got a precise definition of what each mechanic should look like and there are only a few of them to learn. What could be more simple. Everyone can memorize these few signals.
The mechanics are straight-forward. As several have pointed out though, it is the judgment and social skills that are most important to the game. Communication mechanics has a crucial role but it is judgement and your ability to interact with coaches and players that make you the outstanding official.
Do you make the needed calls and pass on the unnecessary ones? Can you sell it to the crowd and the coaches and the players that you have intentionally passed on an obvious call and have no one be upset at you? Can you wisely use your judgement to allow a player to work through an obvious foul, continue, and score? Can you communicate with the irate coach and not get emotionally involved? Can you assess a technical foul without breaking your fingers? da-dala-dala....
The physical action of properly performing mechanics is a simple requirment of an official. It is the judgement and social skills that make the top quality official.... so even if you don't portray the perfect by-the-book mechanics you can still communicate and you can still be a great official!
There's my quarter (two bits)
