quote:
Originally posted by Rookie:
This sounds to me like you are calling the game to either get good with the coach, or to avoid criticism, neither of which I agree.
Look back and note I indicated that you don't limit your calls to this, nor fail to call these anytime. No, you don't call the game to appease anyone (i.e., get in good, avoid criticism).
The point is in some situations it is difficult to watch for everything at once. Given the type of play, and the patterns you are already observing in the game, you tend to watch for the things that are more likely to occur. (How many hand checks do you get with a zone defense? When you see a zone, you probably concentrate on other things.)
So, the point is, if you are choosing things to particularly look for, then remember the suggestion. The idea is not to appease anyone, but you do want to earn the confidence of both coaches. This emphasis will be the same at both ends -- perfectly equiable.
If your association instructs you to particularly watch for hand checks, you tend to focus on hand checks. You're doing the job in the style you were hired to do.
If your association instructs you to concentrate on the travel that often happens as a guard begins the dribble, you should pay particular attention to the foot work. Again, do the job how you've been hired to do, and how you will be evaluated. Always be even and fair!
If the coaches are evaluating you on your off-ball work, as demonstrated by your catching the illegal screens, then be sure you don't forget to catch the illegal screens. Concentrate on them. See them coming. Anticipate where you should watch. Then call what happens. (Anticipate the play, but not the call.)
And not to worry, you'll still get criticism. ;-)