[mick]

Originally posted by bigwhistle

mick,

I don't have a problem with the backcourt and the throw-in counts you talk about. However, on the closely guarded count, I do not think that you should have any silent count. The way the game is taught now (rightly or wrongly)has the player reacting when they see the arm start the counting motion. Otherwise they are going under the impression that the closely guarded count has not started. If you have the 5 whistle and only 4 flicks, the coach will definitely pick this up when watching the film later, if not from counting your flicks when they happen.

bigwhistle,
I used to give all the counts, but I went:

Left left, right right left left left right right right left right

...too many times to convince myself that it was worth anything. I remain unconvinced, but then I'm left-handed.

I cannot imagine the Coaches are watching me for the first couple/few seconds. They use that mental tick of experience to judge the time while watching the action. By the time they even think about watching me, my arm is swinging sharply, above the waist and very close to one second each.

...And besides, I usually only get one closley guarded call every couple games.

The way I played the game was in the my man's jock all night long. If the coaches are telling their players to take the ball when the officials' arm is moving, to look at something other than the opponents' eyes, or belly button or ball, ... well, I just cannot believe that.
mick