[footlocker]

I don't know if I will ever be in similar trouble or not but I haven't thus far. I watch a lot of officials go notify the coach. Typically, they get about 2/3 of the way to the huddle, put a finger up and say something about half of the time.

My partner and I jog all the way to the huddle like we are an uninvited guest at a party, put a finger up and let the coach know, "First horn Coach."

Then I stand there. "Let's go, bring 'em out coach."

Now it may seem like I have nothing else to say or no other reason to be there. Wrong. "White ball coach, on the side." "Let's go." By then, the ususally have it and the players and I come out together. If they miss it, the coach can't complain that I failed to get them ready.

Obviously this is no gaurantee that I still won't end up in your situation. But I thought I'd share how I do it.