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IMO the use of names is a quality game management and communication tool.
I have used their names since I started officiating. I've had success with it. I've also had numerous people tell me that I shouldn't. However, there is one person who shaped my philosophy on this and another recent speaker who confirmed my belief.
The original was soccer referee Bob Evans. He was an international level referee. His advice is to learn the names of as many players on the field as possible during the match and use them. He also let the players call him by name as long as proper respect was accorded.
After meeting him and listening to a couple of his talks early in my officiating days, I took it upon myself to do the same. It has worked very well for me. I have been seen as a players' referee. I let the players call me by my first name too. Many do. Even a team from Vegas in this year's state tournament did it. I memorized the captains' names at the coin toss (and also most of the roster before the game) and told them mine and that they could call me by my first name on the field. They responded very well to it and it broke the ice with a team that I had never seen before. I think that it made them feel a lot more comfortable playing 500 miles from home against a local opponent.
The confirmation came just a couple of weeks ago when one of the NBA group supervisors came to my HS association and gave a presentation. He also recommended using the first names of the players and coaches. He stated that it helped the line of communcation as well as responding skills. He also noted that the asst coaches of today are tomorrow's head coaches. Something else to consider as we have some folks on this forum and in my local assn who don't believe in communicating with asst coaches.
For those who have never tried it or are a bit uncomfortable with it, I would ask that you give it a shot for a couple of months and see what it does for your game. If it brings you success, keep it. If not, then let it go.
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