Things the Mechanics Manual Doesn't Tell You

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by ilyazhito

Good communicators usually equal good officials, so how do higher level officials communicate, if not in the ways described in the manual?

I agree with the statement in bold. But that does not mean this mechanic is considered good communication.

I do not communicate the time until about 30 seconds on the clock. There are multiple possible possessions with a minute to go. Usually around 30 seconds, teams start to settle for that last shot much more. A minute they might be trying to score quickly depending on the score and opportunity. You could have a few turnovers. It is best IMO to wait until what would be a shot clock time to signal to partners. You should be aware of the time anyway.

Originally Posted by ilyazhito

I've seen videos of varsity crews both using and not using the 1 minute and other communication signals, so it's not as if higher level crews toss the manual in the trash all the time.

You are missing the point as you usually do in these situations. Yes, I have seen official do that and I have seen officials (many that I work with) never give the signal that early. Actually many guys I work college with refuse to signal that early because as I said, so many possessions can happen at that time. Then again in Illinois, we do not use the manual that way.

Originally Posted by ilyazhito

That said, what do you do that differs from the book, and what is your thought process in doing so?

I officiate to what works, half the time those things are not about what is in the book. One of these days you might realize that fact. The book is a guide for most things. It is not a document that does not have variations or even different philosophies of things people do on the court.

Peace