Mechanics and clock situations (Video)

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by ilyazhito

That is why I give my partners the index finger in the air signal, and say 1 minute. At ~ 10 seconds remaining, if I am responsible for the clock, I tap my chest, to let my partners know that I have responsibility for the last-second shot. This allows me to anticipate the end of a period. I also make it a point to scan the clocks (DC, MD, and some local private school leagues use a shot clock) in transition, on changes of possesion, and whenever they start/stop.

You need to watch the clock at all times, not just at that time of the game. The clock could have run while it should have been stopped 6 minutes in the quarter.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

You need to watch the clock at all times, not just at that time of the game. The clock could have run while it should have been stopped 6 minutes in the quarter.

Good point. Good advice. It just that a clock running down several seconds at the end of the period (especially the fourth period, or an overtime period) will have more of an impact on a team running a last play than if it runs the same amount of time in the middle of a period (assuming no shot clock).

All this Forum advice it good, but let's not forget the help that we always get from the fans. "Clock." "Clock." "Clock." "Clock." "Clock." Those fans are always an official's best friends, always willing to offer their support and praise.

[ilyazhito]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

You need to watch the clock at all times, not just at that time of the game. The clock could have run while it should have been stopped 6 minutes in the quarter.

Peace

You have a point. As mentioned earlier, I also make it a point to scan the clocks (DC, MD, and some local private school leagues use a shot clock) in transition, on changes of possession, and whenever they start/stop. That way, if either clock does not stop, or fails to start, I know what is going on, and can make any necessary corrections.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by ilyazhito

You have a point. As mentioned earlier, I also make it a point to scan the clocks (DC, MD, and some local private school leagues use a shot clock) in transition, on changes of possession, and whenever they start/stop. That way, if either clock does not stop, or fails to start, I know what is going on, and can make any necessary corrections.

The play in the video didn't involve a game with a shot clock, so you don't need to keep on repeating about shot clocks in the Beltway. You should be checking the GAME CLOCK throughout the game, with extra diligence in the last minute of quarters/halves and OT's.

[deecee]

I only have worked in states with shotclocks and I got in a habit of looking at both clocks and repeating 4 numbers. XXYY

The XX were the seconds in the game clock
The YY were the seconds in the shot clock

This way I almost always had definite knowledge of a specific time.

[ilyazhito]

Originally Posted by deecee

I only have worked in states with shotclocks and I got in a habit of looking at both clocks and repeating 4 numbers. XXYY

The XX were the seconds in the game clock
The YY were the seconds in the shot clock

This way I almost always had definite knowledge of a specific time.

deecee, are you from the DC Metro Area? I have worked games both with and without shot clocks, and I look to always keep the game clock (and shot clock) in my peripheral vision, to be aware of 10-second counts, starts, stops, violations (10 and 30, if a shot clock is used), and ends of periods. It is somewhat easier with a shot clock, because shot clocks both encourage me to check the clocks frequently, and because some shot clocks either display the game clock, or are physically connected to the game clock display.

Re: the clocks and blarge videos, it is embarrassing and painful to see a State Tournament crew making basic mistakes that rookies and veterans are constantly reminded about in pre-games. I can only hope that my crews do not call a blarge, and that we do not bungle the time in the final few seconds of a period, or any time before.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by ilyazhito

Re: the clocks and blarge videos, it is embarrassing and painful to see a State Tournament crew making basic mistakes that rookies and veterans are constantly reminded about in pre-games. I can only hope that my crews do not call a blarge, and that we do not bungle the time in the final few seconds of a period, or any time before.

Work long enough and you will see how much it matters what you ultimately say in a pre-game. Games of this magnitude have their mistakes shown to everyone. Working a game during much of a season you might get away with something because there is not live video to show that mistake. Once again, what you talk about in pre-game actually does not mean you will prevent a mistake.

Peace

[UNIgiantslayers]

A wise man once told me to glance at the clock anytime you cross a straight black line (color caveats for some gym floors) and anytime you hear a whistle. Of course there have been times where action is "too" intense for me to do this, or I have (more likely) flat out forgotten. This has been good advice for me in my young career-- especially in those 1A & 2A girls games where dad is too busy yelling at his daughter on the floor to remember to start/stop the clock.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Raymond

You should be checking the GAME CLOCK throughout the game, with extra diligence in the last minute of quarters/halves and OT's.

Good advice, especially the part about extra diligence. Nice choice of words.