[Freddy]

Signal and Mechanics Pet Peeves
-- Compiled from Registered Officials Nationwide

1. Upward circling finger when free throw fails to hit the rim
2. Block signal that looks like the chicken dance
3. “Over-the-back” signal to the table that looks like Superman flying or a Boris Karloff-like Frankenstein stance
4. Timeout signal using a T motion
5. One partner brushing of palms together to indicate a clean blocked shot
6. Reporting numbers to table with two hands
7. No stop clock signal with raised open hand when a violation occurs
8. Directional point angled upward toward the sky
9. Choppy, short visible counts
10. Lazy, far-too-slow visible counts
11. No visible counts
12. Double personal foul signal to report a full timeout
13. Thirty second timeout signal pointing thumbs to shoulders with pinkies out
14. Travel signal for a designated spot throw-in violation
15. Lazy little fist bump to start the clock
16. Running hand up and down the line to indicate out-of-bounds violation
17. Safe signal to communicate no foul
18. Constantly indicating with two fingers that the goal is for two points, not three
19. Pointing downward and shouting “on the floor”, even though the player had started his shooting motion when fouled
20. Inbounding and covering side of mouth like coughing when blowing whistle
21. Starting a pregame locker room conference, saying, “I hate JV basketball.”
22. Pregame meeting with captains beginning with, “OK, tonight we’re gonna play the black line all the way around”.
23. L who calls the violation when a free throw misses the rim
24. Partners in 3-man who are too lazy to rotate