Originally Posted by #olderthanilook (Post 972976)

Inconsistent and/or incorrect mechanics (and uniforms) seems to be the hallmark of H.S. officiating across the nation, from everything I've observed, worked with and been told to do for the past 6 or 7 years I've been working at the varsity level. Difficult to say why, but the infusion of men's and women's college officials is definitely part of the reason.

At the end of the day, though, managing a good game is the recipe for personal success even though state level evaluators and assignors may "say" they don't agree and will knock poor mechanics despite a well managed game all day long.

Originally Posted by Rich (Post 972991)

A thumbs up from me means there's 10....cause we're not "good to go" if there are 9 or 11 on the floor.

Originally Posted by Rich (Post 972993)

Since when is this an "inconsistent and/or incorrect mechanic"?

At some point most officials stop sweating the small stuff. I hit that sometime after working at the varsity level for 6-7 years.

Originally Posted by deecee (Post 972978)

If 2 hands up means go ahead to you and is confusing then there isn't much to say is there. It's also used since it's 3 man and you want both to show both partners, "hey hold up"

Originally Posted by Eastshire (Post 973003)

If given with fingers closed, I can see it meaning wait, but why then use both arms?

Originally Posted by deecee (Post 973006)

Like I said generally with 3 man its 1 arm for each official.

Originally Posted by Eastshire (Post 973009)

Honest question: Don't you just need to signal the official handling the restart? Also, why can't they see a single arm as well as two?

Originally Posted by #olderthanilook (Post 972995)

"Small stuff" is subjective, I suppose.

Originally Posted by Kansas Ref (Post 972954)

I disdain college level refs giving clinics/offering advice to NF audiences. They frequently mix up mechanics and confuse NF level refs. Often they will say something like "...in high school ball we do this & that but in college ball we do that & this". Wish that they would let NF level refs be the sole presenters at seminars wherein NF refs are the primary audience or wherein NF type information is to be presented. I worked a NF game with a ref who would hold up two hands with open palms and fingers spread apart at me when I was giving the ball for a throw in after a substitution. I presumed that was his way of telling me "OK, we now have 10 players in the game, go ahead and start throw-in." Later he told me that two hands up meant "stop/pause", I told him that his mechanic was confusing.

Originally Posted by #olderthanilook (Post 972981)

Two hands up, palms facing a partner typically means "I've counted 10 on the court." where I'm from.

A single raised arm with open palm is the stop or "do not proceed yet" sign.

A point or thumbs up is the "good to go" sign.

Those are all things I see in my area from officials at every level....H.S. NAIA and NCAA.

Originally Posted by Rich (Post 973015)

It also changes for many people as time goes on.

These days it's mostly about positioning, playcalling, and game management for me -- the rest is typically "small stuff."

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef (Post 973021)

When I'm working a HS game, I'm a HS official. When I'm at an HS association meeting, I'm a HS ref. When I pregame a HS game, I talk about HS rules and HS mechanics. I despise it when a HS official makes an incorrect generalization about "college" officials.

What does having two hands up to stop play have to do with college or HS mechanics? Can you show me where in the NFHS signal chart that holding up two hands with open palms and fingers spread apart is the signal for 10 players being on the court?

Originally Posted by SAJ (Post 973028)

I could see the use of two hands to stop play during a substitution. Typically, the T would beckon the subs and if the subsequent inbound play is administered by the L then a one handed stop sign by the T could also be interpreted as a ready to proceed (mirrored chop).

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef (Post 973021)

When I'm working a HS game, I'm a HS official. When I'm at an HS association meeting, I'm a HS ref. When I pregame a HS game, I talk about HS rules and HS mechanics.