I was joking. I mentioned that in a subsequent post. We introduce ourselves as we're shaking hands.

That because they aren't. Doesn't matter what you say because they aren't listening. They just want to play ball.


I introduce myself and P and ask if they have any questions. Ask P is he has anything. He says, "Have Fun". The End. No more than 10-15 secs.

My pregame lasts 60 seconds tops, including the awkward handshakes, and gets shorter as the season goes on.

"Coaches, is everyone legally equipped and are you aware of the concussion/injury protocols?" (If we've seen any uniform issues that haven't been rectified before the meeting, particularly in girls games, I'll mention them here).

*If coaches boxes are not marked* "Coach's boxes are not marked on this floor, please be mindful of where you are"

"Coaches please let us know right away which kind of timeout you want, we'll take our time getting you into the timeout, please have them ready to play on the second horn."

"Players, sportsmanship, as always, is important, and help us with any loose balls that go rolling."

I ask if my partner has anything (usually not).

"Have fun, good luck".

If I'm the R, I usually check the book at 11:00, sign the book once I approve, then call my partner over for the captains. I'm unaware of any requirements as for when the meeting should happen in my state (maybe fellow Illinois officials can clarify that for me). Assuming there's no prescribed guideline, I'd rather get it out of the way as soon as possible so the players and coaches can get back to their pregame routine. I'd also rather grab teams before they all leave the floor for a final pregame meeting, as some teams do.

I don't ask for speaking captains. I won't remember who they are 10 seconds after we've broken the meeting. As others have said, I answer pretty much any respectful question from a player.

To everyone: Our job is to keep the players safe, make sure the game is fair and ensure good sportsmanship by everyone.
To players: Speaking captains? Respect the game!
To Coaches: players properly equipped?
We play on second the horn.
To everyone: Have fun and lets play hoops!
Takes about 30 seconds.

This year SC is not allowing the waistband on shorts to be rolled, so we've been reminding players in our pregame meetings. We still have to remind a couple times during the game.

Coaches meeting: "Nice to meet you, I'm <name>. Good luck!"

Captains meeting: "Look, we know things are gonna happen in the game -- let's keep our composure and we'll get through it. We are a part of the game just like you are. You keep it clean, we'll keep it fair. Good luck!"

This year in Ontario we have been forced to to drag the Coaches to the Captain's meeting.

In the past my Captains meeting would be introduce the crew and " any questions? Good luck, have fun"

Now, since the Coaches are there it is " Everyone is legally equipped and will display good Sportsmanship???? Good luck, have fun"

This year my meeting has increased from 12 seconds to 16. It is the biggest waste of time. The Captains don't listen. The Coaches don't want to be there anymore than I want to force them to be there. There is never anything worthwhile to discuss. It's not a rules clinic.

FIBA is on to something. No Captains meetings.

This was a much better system. IAABO and their "infinite wisdom" eff'd it up for everyone.

I've added some commentary to streamline your meeting.

Check Your Local Listings ...
 

What's your number? Are you starting?

(How does this blue font thing work?)

I simply ask "who's in charge" and two captains lift up the warmup.

I (usually) immediately forget the numbers. I do it for a number of reasons, though:

(1) I want to make sure that (especially on a neutral floor game) that one team is wearing white and one is wearing something else. We've had a history here of teams coming to tournaments and the post-season wearing white to find out the other team was wearing white.

(2) Especially for the visiting team -- I want to see the color of the jersey so I can check to make sure any colored headbands are legal. We had a team with blue headbands on earlier this season and at the captain's meeting I learned they were wearing gray uniform tops.

Takes me just 2-3 seconds of my 11 second pregame.

I used to do the old-timey thing of notifying the captains I was about to toss, but I discarded that. I also discarded asking both coaches and the table if they were ready when I'm the U1. If the clock's reset, they're ready. The coaches had better be ready.

I do not want any high school kid calling my by my first name. Maybe it is a cultural thing (and it is) but they are not allowed to call me by my first name as I do did not call adults at that age by my first name.

Peace

1. Are your players properly equip? (To coaches)

2. We have well marked coaches boxes, so please stay in them during the contest (To coaches).

3. Who is my speaking captain? (To players)

4. This is an IHSA contest played under National Federation Rules, we are going to adhere to sportsmanship.

I usual add and they pay attention: If we are talking to you, listen. If we stop talking to you, we will put air in the whistle, so listen.

5: Do you have anything to add (To partners).

6: Have fun...

Then we break.

Usually takes 30 seconds total when I start talking after introductions.

Peace

You must be related to my dad.

Too busy watching HGTV with a certain person and hearing all this stuff about time. ;)

Peace