What's in your pregame?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Raymond

Only officials in the Nutmeg state can do this mechanic?

This has been an often used mechanic around her for years and I cannot think of many times if any this was discussed as a pre-game item.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Connecticut Only: Point to floor for two point field goal try when shooter has foot touching three point line.

Originally Posted by Raymond

Only officials in the Nutmeg state can do this mechanic?

Originally Posted by JRutledge

This has been an often used mechanic around her for years ...

I don't have access to a NFHS Mechanics Manual and/or signal chart, but I do know that this is not an official IAABO mechanic and/or signal. "Connecticut only" means that our state interpreter has encouraged us to go "outside the IAABO box" for this specific play.

We used to have another "Connecticut only" mechanic: No long switches in the backcourt when there is no change in possession unless free throws are going to be attempted.

When done correctly, it worked great. Foul on the defense in the backcourt, no free throws, trail moves up to the reporting area, reports the foul and moves back into the backcourt to administer the throwin. Lead stays put. Simple. Right?

The problem was that we had many officials who either didn't understand the mechanic, or were downright lazy. We had varsity guys in high school varsity games not switching like they were in a recreation or travel game. We had guys not switch on player control fouls. It lasted a year, or two, and we had to go back to switching on all fouls.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I don't have access to a NFHS Mechanics Manual and/or signal chart, but I do know that this is not an official IAABO mechanic and/or signal. "Connecticut only" means that our state interpreter has encouraged us to go "outside the IAABO box" for this specific play.

We do a lot of things that are not "approved" but they are just things you do to officiate. Not everything we do goes through some committee to decide what to do.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

We used to have another "Connecticut only" mechanic: No long switches in the backcourt when there is no change in possession unless free throws are going to be attempted.

When done correctly, it worked great. Foul on the defense in the backcourt, no free throws, trail moves up to the reporting area, reports the foul and moves back into the backcourt to administer the throwin. Lead stays put. Simple. Right?

We do basically the same thing in Illinois. But why would you need to have this conversation about your state as something specific? Even if we have people from other states, we do not need to get into what other states do as a norm because most people do not work in other states in my experience.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

The problem was that we had many officials who either didn't understand the mechanic, or were downright lazy. We had varsity guys in high school varsity games not switching like they were in a recreation or travel game. We had guys not switch on player control fouls. It lasted a year, or two, and we had to go back to switching on all fouls.

OK. We have issues with our long switch rules because people usually are confused and do it wrong. Not a big deal and even when we talk about it, people still screw up. It is more of a laugh off thing here.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

We do a lot of things that are not "approved"

We don't. Other than the "Connecticut only" exceptions, we (meaning our local high school assignment board) do everything by the book, the IAABO Mechanics Manual. That's how we train new officials. That's what we base our continuing education on. New officials can learn, among other ways, by "looking it up". Older officials can get a questions answered by, among other ways, "looking it up". That's what young officials, looking for good role models, observe veteran officials doing. That's a part, and only a part, of how we evaluate officials. For an official looking to improve their mechanics, either a rookie, or a veteran, it's less confusing if everybody is doing everything the same way. Consistency is a good thing.

Originally Posted by JRutledge

But why would you need to have this conversation about your state as something specific?

Because that's the way we do it in Connecticut. We don't know, and we really don't care, what other IAABO states are doing. Do other IAABO states follow the IAABO Mechanics Manual 100%? Do other states, like Connecticut, make some slight changes to the IAABO Mechanics Manual? We really don't care.

If I move out of state, then I'll have to know, and I'll have to care, but I sincerely doubt that that will happen.

[JRutledge]

Billy you kind of missed the point. I was not suggesting that it is always OK to use signals that have not been approved. My point is that many areas have mechanics that are not talked about. For example, do you guys have a signal to tell your partners the bonus situation? Did you guys use a kick signal before it was an actual approved signal? What about the "run the end line" signal? So if you didn't, then your area must have been the only one not using those signals, because they were very common in my area and when I watched games on TV before those signals were approved. It was not a big deal. That is why I asked the question I did about your emphasis on "Connecticut only" mechanic.

And also I actually love the IAABO "You make the ruling" videos, but much of the officials are using signals that are not approved. Not sure where all the videos come from, but I doubt these games are just anyone calling these games. These games look like big tournaments or state tournament level games.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I was not suggesting that it is always OK to use signals that have not been approved. My point is that many areas have mechanics that are not talked about. For example, do you guys have a signal to tell your partners the bonus situation? Did you guys use a kick signal before it was an actual approved signal? What about the "run the end line" signal?

Good points. Bonus? We all do it, most orally, some with the "Hook 'Em Horns" signal. Kick? We've been using this signal forever, yet it's not in my oldest books (I would have bet a lot of money that it was always in the book). Run the endline? Always.

OK. You got me. We go "by the book" 98% of the time.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

We have issues with our long switch rules because people usually are confused and do it wrong.

At least your guys had a half-good reason, confusion. Better than laziness, which is the problem we had here in Connecticut, and the main reason why we went back to switching on every foul.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Connecticut Only
Point to floor for two point field goal try when shooter has foot touching three point line.
Team members are not allowed to congregate at division line, or on school logo, during introductions.
Captains, Head Coaches, Officials pregame meeting should occur prior to start of game. If the head coach
refuses to attend the meeting, notify Commissioner.

Originally Posted by JRutledge

But why would you need to have this conversation about your state as something specific?

Sorry JRutledge. I didn't really answer your question the first time and just realized this while rereading the thread.

The "Connecticut Only" section is not really a regular part of my pregame. I put it with the Rule Changes, and Points of Emphasis, because like them, these "Connecticut Only" items may change from year to year. I will only mention a "Connecticut Only" item in my pregame when there is a new change, which hasn't happened in several years, and like the Rule Changes, and Points of Emphasis, only pregame these at the beginning of the season.