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Originally Posted by M&M Guy
Ok, now I'm confused - you say there are a "lot of mechanics that are not listed in the book or are modified". Besides the endline positioning, what other mechanics are being taught by the IHSA clinicians that are not in the Fed. manual? The reason I'm asking is we have had both Kurt Gibson and Beth Sauser of the IHSA speak at our association meetings, at separate times, and they have specifically said they want all the prescribed Fed. mechanics used. They also said if they observe an official not use the prescribed mechanics, it could hurt their chances to appear or advance in the post-season.
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I am not saying we do not use most NF Mechanics, I am telling you there are things we use that are not "by the letter or book" NF mechanics. And from year to year the clinicians get together and come up with things that need to be done better. That brings changes like not bouncing the ball on the end line. That specific mechanic has been used for at least 4 years or so and Harry Bohn was adamant that you do not bounce the ball on the end line, because officials were going up court before the ball was in place. I also described the long switch situation that changed and the NF was going back and forth as to what to do. Beth and Kurt run their respective sports, but Harry has a lot of say as to what mechanics are used. I know Kurt pretty much goes along with what Harry states or makes a mechanic. I can also speak as a multiple sport official in football and baseball and we use a lot of mechanics that are only found on the PowerPoint Presentation with mechanics.
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Originally Posted by M&M Guy
I just wonder if there are some clinicians that feel "their way" is better than what the Fed. prescribes. But doesn't that defeat the purpose of having a uniform way of doing things? Ok, maybe there's some merit to doing things differently - for example, I did like the "no long switches" mechanic from college. But since I was doing HS, I settled for doing it the way the Fed. prescribed (grumbling every time I did it, of course), because that was the way other HS officials who I worked with did it. I was glad when the Fed. finally changed it, but until they did, I followed what they said.
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Well if it did not come from Harry Bohn, then I might just agree with you. When I heard of these mechanics, Harry was the one actually teaching them. Harry also lives right in my back yard. I also work HS games for him and have for about 3 or 4 years. In my area officials and clinicians refer to Harry in almost God like ways when talking about mechanics and philsophy. I cannot speak for other parts of the state, but around here he has great influence and when we talk to Kurt and Beth they reference him when it comes to mechanics. Also in basketball we do not deviate from massive aspects of NF mechanics because most of the mechanics are solid and consistent with other levels in many areas.
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Originally Posted by M&M Guy
I will agree with your statment on many clinicians not teaching the proper mechanics. I have even personally seen state final-level officials, who are also clinicians, teach that "flexing" isn't all that important.  |
All I can tell you is every camp Harry runs or when he speaks at meetings, he always seems to reference "What I am telling is the way we are doing this in Illinois." I have also in conversations I have had with him (not just one on one, but at a social or bar somewhere on many occasions). I would not say this if I have not heard directly from the mouths of Harry and other Clinicians about this topic. Also understand Harry picks the clinicians and he can get rid of clinicians as well. So a guy teaching their own thing might not be around if the word gets out.
Peace