Fun With A Block/Charge ...

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

While I believe that the Lead was incorrect in his call, one has to admit that his signal, while also incorrect, is as smooth as silk.

Not a big fan of his wimpy nonchalant goal counts right fist flick near his hip.

Maybe I overdo it because I believe that, for a basketball official, this is the most exciting signal to give. During 99% of the game I don't want fans noticing me, preferring to just inconspicuously blend into the woodwork, but for these situations I'm all gung ho "Hey everybody, look at me".

After the whistle sounds, the fans are waiting with bated breath in anticipation of the call, looking at the official instead of the players for one of the few times in the game. Will the official call a charge and disallow the basket, or will the official call a block and allow the basket? In either case, all the fans the gym will soon be going nuts, in either a positive, or a negative manner.

So, for what may be the only time in the game, I lose my cool, calm, and collected composure, feed into the enthusiastic anticipation of the fans, and give them a signal show.

The signal that half of the fans want to see: Fist high up in the air to signal stop the clock for a foul, fists to hips (maybe pounding them) to signal a block, followed by a fist back up the air and slamming it back down to signal that the goal counts.

On the way to the reporting area I regain my composure and realize that while half of the crowd wants to carry me on their shoulders in a celebration of joy, the other half wants to go after me with pitchforks and torches.