Rich,
The best advice I can give to help slow down after the foul call is to work on your preliminary signals before you go to the table. If it is a "normal" call, one that doesn't require it to be sold, I step towards the play and verbalize right there what I will be reporting to the table in a few seconds. For instance, A1 with the ball, is hacked by B1 attempting a steal. I blow the whistle at the same time arm goes up with closed fist. I birddog towards the offending player, probably get withing 5-10 feet of the player depending on how far away I was at the time of the foul but definitely step into the play. While stepping towards the play I will say out loud what I have. #23 blue with a reach and will make the proper Fed signal. I will then verbalize what will happen as a result. Whites ball and point to the spot or White #12 will shoot 1 and 1 or double bonus whatever the case may be. This takes a total of five seconds and everyone in the gym knows what you have before you go to the table. It is really important that your partner knows what you have so he can be positioning himself and the players to continue the game when you come back. I am over 40 and I can forget the number from the spot of the foul to the reporting area. By doing this small thing you will reinforce your call in your mind before going to the table. Nothing looks worse than an official sorting through the players while in the reporting area looking for a number and who it is on. When you need to really sell a call you will do the same thing after you have made the block charge signal, etc. I hope this helps you out a little. I was taught that when I started 10 years ago and it has served me well. I teach that to all my new officials as well.
Keep 'em straight up!
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