Mechanics Creep
 

I often see NF level officials who use non-NF mechanics/signals during a game. For example,

1) when chopping in the clock a ref will make a 'fist' and snap it in hemi-circle, instead of vertically stricking an open-hand downward. I have seen NBA and NCAA refs do this; however, to my limited knowledge this is not NF-approved?

2) when signalling a "Block" I frequently see NF level refs bouncing their closed fists off their hips several time s in a rather animated fashion; however, in my limited knowledge I believe the NF mechanic is to place both open hands on your waist between the index and thumb area.

3) when a FT attempt misses the ring entirely, I frequently see NF level refs hold up an index finger and swirl it several times; however, in my limited knowledge I believe the NF mechanic is to sound your whistle, raise your arm with an open hand, and point in the other direction [optional to say "no ring/no rim"] and indicate that we're heading the other direction.

4) when and "and 1" [player scores on an offensive rebound and gets fouled so we're shooting 1] I frequently see NF level refs do a "fist punch" signal to indicate the action; however, in my limited knowledge Ibelieve the NF mechanic is to simply hold up two fingers and strike down, then 1 finger to indicate next action [i.e., one FT is to be attempted next].

I could go on but I'll just end it here...

Aside from a 'purist' point of view, is there anything troubling about these observations?

No. Any other questions?

ohhArem...

OK, it is not necessarily a college mechanic either. And no one cares but those that have nothing better to say point this out IMHO. If you go to any high level camp and someone is pointing this out seriously, they really are just nitpicking you. Never been to a college camp or worked a college game and this was ever pointed out there as not using the right mechanic. I wonder why?


Sorry, but to me this is one of the dumbest things people worry about. It looks silly if you give the signal at the time with "open hands." And the college mechanic (at least men's) shows the very same picture.


You realize that there was a time when kicking violation was not in the book either. Everyone used the "kicking violation signal" before it was put in the book. No one cared. This is something I do not care about either.

Peace

I hope someday assigners and supervisors who are so anal about this stuff are gone from the game. Nobody should care. I hire for a lot of schools. I don't.

Stuff like this is #26 on my top 25 criteria for hiring someone.


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I'm pretty sure I do all four to some degree. Signals are meant to communicate information. IMO, as long as that information is being communicated, most should be fine with it. Obviously there are mechanic sticklers out there, but as others have said, I'm not sure why anyone should care unless it impacts the actual game in some way.

I'm more worried about both referees on a 2-person game being on the same side of the court multiple times, as I saw last night.

The only time I worry about any of these things is if I'm working a camp game in front of a purist/older observer.

I don't use the fist for an And-1 because I don't want it confused for a punch (TC or PC foul).

I do use an open hand to chop the clock b/c I think it looks better than clenching my fist and b/c it is a pet peeve of my highest level supervisor.

I use fists to the hips for block calls b/c I don't like the open hand to the hips signal.

For airball free throws and shots that end up over the backboard or hitting a suspended object, I simply do the open hand violation signal and verbalize "violation".

I do or don't do all these things based on what I think looks best for my presentation. If you are hustling, getting into position, managing game situations, and getting plays right, those things you pointed out are not an issue to most supervisors/assignors.

#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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Kansas Ref, do you give a preliminary on every foul you call and verbally inform the fouler? Aren't those things in the manual?

In my experience the people that get bent out of shape about this stuff couldn't care less about play-calling and game management. All they care about is that everything is done exactly by the book. Not surprisingly, they're not very good officials themselves. They're in the group of officials that likes to have 10-minute meetings with the captains and coaches.

At least 75% officials I work with at the HS level use fists and not open hands to signal a blocking foul. Who the hell cares that it doesn't exactly mirror the book? It's a much stronger signal that communicates the exact same message with more authority and confidence. The book also says to signal direction with four fingers; I work with very few officials that do it that way.

Officials (and assigners, quite frankly) that focus on this crap: get a life.

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

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

Proficient In All Aspects Of Officiating ...
 

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.

For point #1, I chop time in using an open hand.
For #2, I use open hands, but I bring both hands down forcefully on my hips.
I do not use the "swirlie", as the usage described is not even related to the way it should be used. The "swirlie" is an NBA signal for basket interference. For FT violations, I just use open hand, say what the violation is, and point the other way.
For #4, I drop the hand that was in a fist for the foul, and then show 2 fingers (or the touchdown signal, if a 3-pointer). I then show 1 finger for 1 shot. My "last-second shot scores" signal is similar, except it starts with ano open hand instead of a fist (and no free throws).

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.

Based on the times I've seen Kansas officials work, he probably does most, if not all, of the time.

Hi, I'm Freddy, and I'm . . .
 

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.

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.

Poor Mechanics ...
 

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.

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.

That's basically what OHSAA doesn't want to see.

The approved signal I teach here:
Block - Good Call, Good Signal, Good Report

If someone that has sway on your schedule says something to you, make an adjustment. Otherwise no one cares. I am yet to have an assignor go to me "hey the block signal is open palm, inner hand to waist. Not this closed fist nonsense." I've worked for about half a dozen in 15 years.

I know I have worked for 30 or so different people in basketball alone and never had any of them complain about my mechanics in this way.

Peace

Both the 2017-19 NFHS Officials Manual, 2 Person Crew Item 4.3.3 and the MHSAA-specific Mechanics Manual spell out instances where the lead may go ballside to cover a match-up.

I can't speak for whether this action was proper in the game you observed, but I wanted to point out that this is a mechanic in certain situations.

I assime you're not talking about going ballside here - if you are, I would be concerned with a crew whose lead never went ballside.


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Freddy, I'm glad you have a sense of humor.

That is seriously the most embarrassing thing I've seen, especially since his partner (whose call it was) was correctly about to call a PC foul.

That is unbelievable. And it sure looks like a varsity (2-whistle?!) game in California. Whoa ...

That's the best sell of a call I've ever seen. In any sport. At any level. That guy is God-tier.

That wasn't you, was it? Nawwwwwww.

Lol and kinda embarrassing. To call so far out of one's primary. To be 100% wrong. To have a partner who is right there about to make the right call. Then to look goofy as all heck making said wrong call. If the actual call wasn't so bad and wrong this would have been funnier.

Nah, they just both sat on one side, even as the ball came up the floor and was swung to the far side, away from them. Never switched once in the 1.5 quarters I watched. Granted, it was a middle school game, but still...

oh...my....goodness

Although all this brings back a fond memory of a "veteran" official and what he said to me once. I was probably about 3 years in and was working a JV game. Vet walks in and starts talking to my partner and I and says "I can tell you guys did not communicate before the game."

I said, "What makes you say that." I knew we emailed but didn't talk. He responds with, "I carry 2 color shoe laces so I always match my partner, and your shoe laces don't match."

I gave him, what I imagine to be, the stupidest look in my life. I stood up and walked out while he was mid-sentence of some other nonsense.

That was the moment I realized that I cannot take everything any official tells me seriously, and I need to weigh what, and whom, is mentoring/coaching me.

The little mentoring I ever did, I always prefaced it with, pick what you want from what I tell you, but don't pick everything. It worked, kinda, for me, and I guarantee it all won't work for you. If it does, you're in bigger trouble then getting mentoring from me.

Fisting ...
 

I've been fisting preliminary block signals my entire career. Hard to change. By the time I get to the reporting area I will often report with the correct hands on hips signal. At least I'm half right. Also half wrong.

+this

My, How Hideous a Block Signal! :rolleyes:

Weak mechanic for a weak foul?


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Not even sure that's a block. Illegal hands or push.

Nah looks like a foul to me. Body bump affects dribbler SQBR. Prob not a foul in a higher level game with better players.

I agree this is often a foul since the dribbler was redirected as a result of the contact. However, it is one that some will pass on.

Block, push, doesn't really matter. It could be either. A lot of foul definitions overlap.

It's a foul for me at all my levels.

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I wasn't saying it isn't a foul. Guess it sounds that way.

Doesn't even deserve a prelim. Whistle, turn and report.


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Foul to me as well. But I would not have used that signal.

Peace

Now that was quite a "dainty" demonstration of that signal. Something tells me that most officials [notwithstanding those on this Forum] would signal that action in a more 'manly'/ 'stronger' manner.

Apologies in advance for anyone who may view the use of the term "manly" as sexist or erstwhile politically-incorrect:p as certainly that was not my intention.

FWIW, I saw Gerry Pollard give the "hands on hips" block signal at a D1 game today and didn't think it looked all that bad. I don't really like the signal but it's not as big of a deal to me as it is to others. My bigger gripe is our limited number of signals to use for fouls at the table.

Also, some states/associations require a preliminary signal at the spot of the foul. We have to do it and I don't have a problem with it except on shooting fouls. The "illegal use of hands" signal feels really awkward in that situation.

For IAABO Members Only ...
 

Just got the word today that IAABO has approved two of my signal change suggestions for the 2019-20 IAABO Mechanics Manual.

One is a slight change in the labeling of the five second closely guarded violation signal, and the other is a slight change in the labeling of the delayed lane violation signal.

I bet that you won't notice these insignificant (they're both academic, with no real world value) changes, but if you do, blame me.

*Congratulations! I'm glad they implemented your proposals; this proves that ''someone'' is listening and caring in the IABO leadership.
Maybe the NF will be as responsive. Have you also sent your proposal to them [NF]?
Again, congratulations!

for clarity...
 

Hay could you please describe / clarify how the accepted proposed changes look like? Any signal changes for the better--I'd like to read about.

Are You Totally Underwhelmed ???
 

Sorry to disappoint you, but as I stated, the changes are just to the labels on the signal chart and are very insignificant (they're both academic, with no world real value) editorial-type changes.

Again, these are IAABO changes, not NFHS changes.

1) Changed “Delayed Lane Violation” to “Delayed/Withheld Whistle” label to allow for delayed free throw violations that do not involve a lane violation, i.e. distraction, or three point arc violation. Rationale: Previously, IAABO didn't have a signal labeled on the chart for delayed violations such as distraction, or a three point arc violation. They only had a signal labeled on the chart for a delayed violation on a lane violation.

2) Changed “Five Second Closely Guarded” to “Five Second Closely Guarded And Five Second Throwin Violation” label. Rationale: Previously, IAABO didn't have a signal labeled on the chart for a five second throwin violation. It’s the same signal for a five second closely guarded violation, but it wasn't specifically labeled for five second throwin violations on the signal chart.

Again, sorry to disappoint, just something odd that I noticed and seemed to be easy to fix.

Are you totally underwhelmed? If not, you should be.

Stayed In My Lane ...
 

As an IAABO member, we only use IAABO mechanics and signals (I don't even have a NFHS Mechanics Manual and Signal Chart), so I "stayed in my lane".

Because of the IAABO hierarchy (certainly a two-edged sword), and because IAABO International often has representation on the NFHS Rules Committee, we have a pretty good system in place to offer rule proposals to the NFHS. Rule proposals go up the chain of command, first to our local interpreter, then to our state interpreter, then to the IAABO International Co-Coordinators of Interpreters, and if all goes well, to the NFHS Rules Committee.

A lot of documentation is required: the new rule, the old rule, citation numbers, a rationale, needed changes to other rules (penalties), and all casebook plays involved must be cited, and changed.

I've had three rule change proposals accepted by the NFHS: 3-3-E Defensive Match-Up, 2003-04; 4-22 Goaltending, 2015-16; and 3-5-3 Compression Shorts, 2016-17, probably because my local interpreter has a leadership role in IAABO International, thus fast tracking my proposals.

As my neighbor, Frank, often tells me, "It's always great to know a guy".

North and South Dakota have approved additional signals from the men's and women's college mechanics manuals, such as the punch on player control fouls, hit to the head, 2 hands, and hit on the arm signals. Because North Dakota and Minnesota now use the restricted area arc, they have also adopted the point to arc signal. Maybe more states are approving additional signals on their own.

Mechanics are not a thing that the NF can regulate what states do. This is nothing new or even unique. My state adopted many differences because of what was observed and felt it needed to be changed in basketball and many other sports. Nothing new.

Peace

Smoke Filled Back Rooms ...
 

JRutledge is correct, otherwise those states that use IAABO mechanics would lose representatives on the NFHS Rules Committees, and in regard to Connecticut, we haven't.

He Was Going For The Ball ...
 

This is a signal that I wanted added to the IAABO Mechanics Manual Signal Chart:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...04cd9e5f_m.jpg

I was told that although some on the four person IAABO International Co-Coordinators of Interpreters liked the idea, it was ultimately not approved, mainly because it was not an approved NFHS signal, and they wanted NFHS and IAABO signals to be as similar as possible.

Old timers here in my little corner of Connecticut were taught, and have been using, this signal for decades, but the young'uns are not being taught the signal.

Coach: "Hey BillyMac, he was going for the ball".

BillyMac: "Didn't you see my signal coach? The intentional foul wasn't for no play on the ball, or for a jersey grab, or a push from behind, or a bear hug, or for contact away from the ball with a player clearly not involved with a play, or for contact with an inbounder. It was for excessive contact".

Coach: "Thanks for the explanation BillyMac. You're doing a great job officiating tonight. By the way, did anyone ever tell you that you look just like George Clooney?".

BillyMac: "Thanks coach. And yes, I'm told that all the time".

You rally don't need the second part. Your arms will come down by default anyway.;)

Given your officiating prowess, I am surprised that the coach used the word "tonight" in your example.:D

Strike A Pose ...
 

Not before one strikes a dabbing pose.

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP._...=0&w=305&h=184

I was having a good night for a change. Even a broken clock is right twice a day.

https://live.staticflickr.com/7925/3...2e9a1b65_m.jpg

I'd be happy to see FED add more "approved" signals if for no other reason than to shut up the blowhards that whine about "unapproved" signals.

I do find it funny that people always talk about wanting the signals that college has. I don't think men's NCAA has many, if any, more "approved" signals than high school. I think people just don't lose as much sleep about it at that level.

At the end of the day, if states see it as a big enough problem, they will make a change on their own or just not care.

Shooter Has Foot Touching Three Point Line ...
 

This is another signal that I wanted added to the IAABO Mechanics Manual Signal Chart:

https://live.staticflickr.com/7682/1...ba697fe8_m.jpg

Again, I was told that although some on the four person IAABO International Co-Coordinators of Interpreters liked the idea, it was ultimately not approved, mainly because it was not an approved NFHS signal, and they wanted NFHS and IAABO signals to be as similar as possible.

We've been using this "Connecticut Only" (Connecticut is 100% IAABO) signal for almost thirty years, pointing to the floor for two point field goal attempt when shooter has a foot touching three point line. Sure we could just not give the three point attempt signal (as we do for attempts that aren't close to the three point line), but this extra signal seems helpful to scorekeepers, coaches, and fans.

Been using that signal since day one as an official.

Personal Use ...
 

Personal, or local association, or state association signal?

Common sense communication.

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Common Sense ...
 

I certainly agree that the signal is a good common sense communication tool, which is why I tried to get IAABO International to adopt it officially.

Is this signal taught to your new officials? Is is universally used (accepted) locally, and/or statewide?

I believe that you are an NCAA official, do you use this common sense communication signal in your college games (I don't believe it's a college signal, but I may be wrong, being extremely ignorant in matters of college mechanics)?

The person who got me involved in officiating was a college official, and additionally he was a military man like myself. Common Sense communications is what he taught me. I didn't care or seek out whether or not it was approved by others There were some who made comments about it, including one of my first mentors who is now a D1/D2 women's supervisor of officials. I have found that NCAA Men's officials are far less rigid than NCAA Women's officials about unauthorized signals.

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+1 however I do not necessarily hold it for a great amount of time, maybe about a second. I just point, and in some cases, ever so slightly, bend/lean towards the location.

Teach It To Our Young'uns ...
 

Who can quibble about good communication, but I'm curious about how universally used (accepted) the signal is for high school games in your local area and/or state?

Every official in Connecticut uses it, we teach it to our young'uns.

I'm disappointed that IAABO International didn't approve of our state "approved" signal.

Universal ???
 

Same questions for bucky:

Why doesn't this signal catch on more universally on the high school level, i.e. NFHS, IAABO, etc.?

Am I missing any negatives about the signal? It seems helpful to scorekeepers, coaches, and fans.

I wasn't aware there were people NOT usimg this signal.


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Busy Signal ...
 

Then again, why doesn't this signal catch on more universally as "approved" or "official" or "accepted" on the high school level, i.e. NFHS, IAABO, etc.? And again, am I missing any negatives about the signal? It seems helpful to scorekeepers, coaches, and fans.

Hot Potato ...
 

I just checked online. While the Excessive Contact Intentional Foul signal is an official NCAA signal, the No Three Point Attempt Signal doesn't appear to be an official NCAA signal.

What does IAABO, the NFHS, and the NCAA have against this No Three Point Attempt communication (information) signal?

I have no idea. I also use this signal on shots that are close to being 3-pointers, but are not, and I have been the butt of jokes about my adherence to approved mechanics. I think that it is a good and informative signal, just like the "not closely guarded" signal, and can alleviate confusion in situations that look like a 3-pointer is taken, but where there is actually no 3-point shot.

Actually, I found about 17 different signals that the NF did not have like "Cylinder fouls" or "Chucking." Now, this is splitting hairs as some of these are just based on some different rules that do not take place at the NF level like shot clock signals for either violation or resetting the clock to 20 seconds for a FC foul.

I do think people spend too much time worrying about what the other levels do and do not realize that what they do is more advanced for a reason. We have HS official that cannot do basic things right but they want more signals.

Peace

It's Back ...
 

I believe that the Not Closely Guarded signal is an official IAABO International signal. Here in Connecticut we used it for a while (unofficially, Connecticut only signal), then were told not to use it (if one is not counting, there is no closely guarded situation), and then, unannounced, IAABO International made it an official IAABO International signal.

My “not closely guarded” signal is my lack of counting.

As for close 2-pointers, most tables can’t comprehend that “no touchdown signal = 2 points.”

Confused In Connecticut ...
 

As was mine for the first half of my career, then we switched to a "unofficial" not closely guarded spread arms signal, the we went back to "not counting" as the "signal" (IAABO International slap on the wrist), and now were back to a not closely guarded spread arms signal, but now it's "official" (however it was unannounced).

My "not closely guarded" signal is for one purpose, to keep coaches from asking/commenting about my lack of a 5 second count. I work with too many officials who don't count when they should.


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Six Feet Not Three Feet ...
 

Same problem here in Connecticut. We've been told that we're not rewarding good defense and have been shown various "six foot" distances with various lines on the court to use as a reference.

Stop Complaining ...
 

Before the spread arms signal was "unofficial" or "official", I was using it for the same purpose, "Stop complaining coach, not quite six feet".

No complaints, no spread arms signal.

Mechanics Creep
 

Do you get paid every time you use the phrase "my little corner of Connecticut?" Oh, FFS.


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All Four Corners And Everything In Between ...
 

Fixed it.

Reviewed my post and found it to be not accurate.

"Not rewarding the defense" was not a problem only associated with my local board, it was pointed out by the IAABO International interpreter who observed officials from all of our Connecticut local boards at our state tournament semis and finals.

Throughout my career, two of my local interpreters have also been Connecticut state interpreters, sometimes making difficult to ascertain if an issue being discussed is a statewide issue, or a local issue.

The Connecticut tourism board sends me a check every time I mention Connecticut in a post.

Every little bit helps when one is retired and is on a fixed income.

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.F...=0&w=406&h=163

I am one of the very few that point and by point I mean holding two fingers down towards where it occurred. Others will, when it is a two-point shot but close to a three, immediately and adamantly signal to the table that it was a two by pointing two fingers, like the peace sign.

I do not claim to be an expert but I will claim to be the best at trying to get better in any way. Around our area, officials do not have the same level of care. They do not strive to get better by attending training meetings, camps, etc. Very few are concerned with tests, POE's, rule/mechanic changes, etc. They simply do not have to care as there are not enough officials. There are no younger/newer officials either. It is very discouraging.

Use a new mechanic for clarity? Most around here do not use the current mechanics very well.:mad:

Double Check ...
 

Many of us will do that (as well as an audible "Two") as a "double check" after we've already pointed to the three point line on a close two point the attempt.

https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.K...=0&w=300&h=300