Mechanics Creep

[SNIPERBBB]

#2 looking like a gorilla banging your hips repeatedly will probably get you yelled at in postseason play here in Ohio.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by SNIPERBBB

#2 looking like a gorilla banging your hips repeatedly will probably get you yelled at in postseason play here in Ohio.

One bang of the hips at the spot. One gentle one at the table.

Hands on hips is a terrible mechanic that should have been modified years ago.


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[SC Official]

Originally Posted by Rich

One bang of the hips at the spot. One gentle one at the table.

Hands on hips is a terrible mechanic that should have been modified years ago.

Clearly it seems most states don't care, thankfully.

[UNIgiantslayers]

This is an interesting thread from someone who gives a pregame DOG warning.....

[BillyMac]

My local IAABO board is all about education, it's our number one priority, the education of new officials, and the continuing education of veteran officials.

Mechanics is a part of that educational process.

After our new officials take our rules classes and pass the written rules exam, they have to take our mechanics classes and then pass the "floor exam".

After that, they are mentored by some of our best officials, and mechanics is a part, a small part, but a part, of the mentoring process.

During the season, all officials (new and veterans) are evaluated by their partners and also by trained observers, and mechanics make up 20% of the evaluation.

Evaluations lead to advancement, or sometimes, demotion.

We strive to have our officials be proficient in all aspects of officiating, rules knowledge, judgment, game management, teamwork, and mechanics.

Mechanics are often discussed at our meetings.

Sure, rules knowledge, judgment, teamwork, and game management are all much more important than standing the right spot during timeouts and intermissions.

But being a great official and having good mechanics are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

Sure, we have some guys that have perfect "robot" mechanics but don't know if the basketball is stuffed or inflated, but these guys never see the light of a varsity game.

Almost all of our top guys, the ones working the state tournament, usually deep into the state tournament, are proficient in all aspects of officiating, including mechanics.

[jeremy341a]

Originally Posted by Rich

Hands on hips is a terrible mechanic that should have been modified years ago.

Not disagreeing but why would fists be better? I also seen some saying hand behind the head for player control is a weak signal. I don't understand that either.

[SC Official]

Originally Posted by jeremy341a

Not disagreeing but why would fists be better? I also seen some saying hand behind the head for player control is a weak signal. I don't understand that either.

Fists on hips is much stronger and less awkward than open hands. There's a reason you don't see very many officials using open hands unless they work in/for a micro-managing assigner/state.

[Freddy]

I'm no doubt the exception here. And I'm good with that.
I'm one of those who, by virtue of the position to which I've been appointed, teach and maintain prescribed and approved mechanics -- and signals -- as dictated by the ruling body of the code that prevails over those whose training I'm responsible for. And I'm good with that.
I understand that the preferences and interests of others in other areas and even of assigners and AD's and coaches -- and even some officials -- in our area here may differ. And I'm good with that.
I have learned that intelligent officials can pursue excellence in play-calling while at the same time prioritize using prescribed mechanics and approved signals asked of them. And I'm good with that.

[BillyMac]

For thirty-seven of the past thirty-eight years I've worked with, and observed, an outstanding official. He could call the hell out of a game, manage the heck out of a game, and charm the pants off of any coach, player, fan, or partner. In his heyday, he was a state tournament official, and a college official. When he walked into a gym, everybody greeted him like he was the mayor. Even in his later years he could run rings around younger partners.

He ended his season every year by volunteering to officiate Special Olympics Unified Games, most of us volunteer at one site, he would volunteer for several sites.

His mechanics were far from perfect. Sometimes he made up signals (some quite funny looking) on the spot, and sometimes his rotations and switches weren't quite kosher (once spotted him doing a 540 degree switch, he just kept moving until he felt comfortable).

Everybody wanted to work with this guy, coaches wanted this guy in their games.

I learned a lot from him, not about mechanics, but about everything else regarding officiating basketball games.

After fifty years on the court, he retired last season. I miss him. He was a great partner. He was fun to work with. He was fun to watch.

I know that a lot of us, including me, take officiating very seriously, but it is, after all, a game, and we should be allowed to have a little fun, not a lot, but a little.

But his great official/poor mechanics was an anomaly, an outlier. Here on my local board, he was the exception, not the rule.

[onetime1]

I call my block foul with closed fists and hit my hips about 7 or 8 times and do it simultaneously while hopping toward the score table. I do this because I think Joey Crawford looks really cool doing it.

[jeremy341a]

Originally Posted by SC Official

Fists on hips is much stronger and less awkward than open hands. There's a reason you don't see very many officials using open hands unless they work in/for a micro-managing assigner/state.

Do you feel that the fists mechanic makes it more likely the call will be perceived as correct or do you feel it makes the official seem more confident in their call?

[SC Official]

Originally Posted by jeremy341a

Do you feel that the fists mechanic makes it more likely the call will be perceived as correct or do you feel it makes the official seem more confident in their call?

Both. Perception is a big deal. I can give off a more confident perception with fists than open hands.

I've never seen an official give an open hand preliminary block signal that looks good. I want to be strong in all my mechanics, irrespective of whether a call needs "sold" or not.

[constable]

Originally Posted by Rich

One bang of the hips at the spot. One gentle one at the table.

Hands on hips is a terrible mechanic that should have been modified years ago.


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+this

[Freddy]

Originally Posted by constable

+this

My, How Hideous a Block Signal!

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Freddy

My, How Hideous a Block Signal!

Weak mechanic for a weak foul?


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