Pre-Game Captains Meeting

[bas2456]

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.