What do you keep in your bag?

[Dad]

Originally Posted by UNIgiantslayers

I trusted myself until I was so sure of myself one time and gave an emphatic "White ball!!" Then I looked at the possession arrow and it was red's ball. That was the end of that for me.

The more you officiate the more everything will come together. After a couple years you'll glance at the table/scoreboard without even thinking about it to make sure it was switched.

Until then, I'm of the opinion it's a decent option for officials who are overwhelmed by all the information they are trying to retain. It's a good idea to not make it a habit as it'll take you longer to progress as an official. As far as table awareness goes, the end goal is to keep track of arrow/points going up/fouls/time without it being a nuisance.

[bob jenkins]

Agreed with Rich and Dad.

Now, I do agree that if you are just starting, you have more important things to work on / remember. Or, if you are working three or more JH games in a row (with 17 held balls each), it's hard to remember.

But, any single HS game beyond an official's say, second year -- you can remember which way it should go -- and know if the arrow is wrong or if you "mis-remembered."

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Dad

The more you officiate the more everything will come together. After a couple years you'll glance at the table/scoreboard without even thinking about it to make sure it was switched.

Until then, I'm of the opinion it's a decent option for officials who are overwhelmed by all the information they are trying to retain. It's a good idea to not make it a habit as it'll take you longer to progress as an official. As far as table awareness goes, the end goal is to keep track of arrow/points going up/fouls/time without it being a nuisance.

I think the mental energy required to train oneself to move the chapstick/whistle/rubberband from one side to another is better spent training oneself to watch the arrow change after each AP throw in.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Adam

I think the mental energy required to train oneself to move the chapstick/whistle/rubberband from one side to another is better spent training oneself to watch the arrow change after each AP throw in.

As well as checking scoreboard to ensure the Team Fouls change after each foul. Game management stuff that shows assignors you're into all aspects of the game, not just running up and down the court blowing your whistle.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

As well as checking scoreboard to ensure the Team Fouls change after each foul. Game management stuff that shows assignors you're into all aspects of the game, not just running up and down the court blowing your whistle.

I also never look at the scoreboard. I usually do not have the perspective for that direction. I just try to remember who we gave the ball to last and go from there. I usually time stamp it in my mind as well. That has worked much better than anything.

Peace

[packersowner]

I put a safety pin in my bag a few years ago. In a pinch it can work for a few different things:

- mending a broken button on pants
-pulling a shoelace through a hole (frayed lace)
- releasing fluid from a blister
- picking the door lock to the AD's office where you dress, because they forget that you have to get in there to change
- poking your eye out after a game for the partner who wants to review in detail every rule that might have been called into question during the last 75 minutes.

[Dad]

I take at least two of everything just in case a partner(s) forgot something. This includes two jackets. Luckily I've never had to lend someone a pair of shoes because that's disgusting.

Ibuprofen for old people who whine everything hurts.

Pen

Extra rule books to throw at coaches

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

As well as checking scoreboard to ensure the Team Fouls change after each foul. Game management stuff that shows assignors you're into all aspects of the game, not just running up and down the court blowing your whistle.

I will always know what the time is, what the general score differential is, where the team fouls are, watch to see if points are added after PC foul, and look at the arrow after having an AP throw-in but watching the team fouls to make sure they change after every one seems a little over-the-top. What's case for why this is important?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by AremRed

I will always know what the time is, what the general score differential is, where the team fouls are, watch to see if points are added after PC foul, and look at the arrow after having an AP throw-in but watching the team fouls to make sure they change after every one seems a little over-the-top. What's case for why this is important?

So you need a crutch to determine something that many of the top officials can do on their own?

Peace

Originally Posted by JRutledge

So you need a crutch to determine something that many of the top officials can do on their own?

Crutch? What am I using as a crutch?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by AremRed

Crutch? What am I using as a crutch?

I was wondering the same thing.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by AremRed

Crutch? What am I using as a crutch?

If you have to rely on a device or something in your pocket to determine only one aspect of the game when you use your memory or being in-tune to the game to not make a mistake, that is a crutch to me.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by AremRed

Crutch? What am I using as a crutch?

Just my opinion that, obviously, won't work for everyone on this Forum.

I believe that it's just as easy for me to "remember" to switch the whistle in my pocket, as it is to remember who had the last arrow. In fact, after doing the whistle pocket switch since they introduced the arrow (we teach all our rookie officials this procedure), it has actually become second nature (automatic) to me to make the switch. I really don't have to think about it. Plus, we have three different ways to figure out a questionable arrow: the table (arrow, scorebooks), our pocket whistles, and our memories of the most recent alternating possession.

When working Catholic middle school girls junior varsity (fifth, sixth grade)games, there is no way that I'm going to remember all the arrow switches without the "crutch" of the pocket whistle, plus this league doesn't require an arrow at the table, not even a switching pencil point.

Then, again, I'm sure that this won't work, or may be a waste of time, for many Forum members, especially those with really good memories, and those that work with really good table crews.

Vive la difference (pardon my French).

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by AremRed

I will always know what the time is, what the general score differential is, where the team fouls are, watch to see if points are added after PC foul, and look at the arrow after having an AP throw-in but watching the team fouls to make sure they change after every one seems a little over-the-top. What's case for why this is important?

Hmm, maybe to prevent any correctable errors, but that's just me.

I've corrected the scoreboard on TFs at least 4-5 times this season so far. Saturday I actually had a scoreboard without TF indicators. I knew the TFs in my head and confirmed them at least once each quarter. I was never wrong either.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Hmm, maybe to prevent any correctable errors, but that's just me.

I've corrected the scoreboard on TFs at least 4-5 times this season so far. Saturday I actually had a scoreboard without TF indicators. I knew the TFs in my head and confirmed them at least once each quarter. I was never wrong either.

That is how many of us started. Many clocks did not have all the information with TF, timeouts or even possession arrow. Just the time and the score and the bonus light in some cases. There were places that did not even have the light on the scoreboard in certain gyms. You have to be in-tune to the game or you would have some serious mistakes.

Peace