[Corndog89]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

From Corndog89: "Referees who step into the center circle for the opening tip and announce team colors while pointing in the appropriate direction each team will go...why?"

This is the way that I double check that we're going the correct way. Before I toss, I look to my left at the "White" bench, make sure that a "White" jumper is standing to my left and point to my right and say "White". Then I look to my right at the "Red" bench, make sure that a "Red" jumper is standing to my right, and point to my left and say "Red". By doing this in every game that I'm the referee, now the "tosser" with the new mechanics, I've never, since the new rule designated baskets for each team, had the players start the game in the wrong direction because I let them line up facing the wrong direction. Yet in the same number of years, as the umpire, or "nontoser" with the new mechanics, I have, on many occassions, prevented my partner, the refreee, or "tosser", from starting the players in the wrong direction.

Okay, I can see that...but can't you just look and check without verbalizing it?

Originally Posted by BillyMac

From Corndog89: "I've had partners over the years who refuse to say "good luck" to coaches because they believe the coach could imply they're favoring the other team and the chance for a fair game is therefore unlikely. I've personally never actually heard a coach say that, but coaches being coaches, you just never know"

I've always struggled with this. If you're saying "Good Luck" to both teams, doesn't the "Good Luck" cancel out? So over the past few years, I've been saying "Have Fun" to players, and, if I find it necessary to say something to the coaches, I say "Have a great game". Odd, and nit-picking, I know, but it makes me feel comfortable.

I've been saying "Let's have fun" more and more the last 3-4 years.