Captain

[ilyazhito]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Some say that they fulfill this rule requirement (notifying the captains when play is about to begin at the start of the game) by sounding their whistle prior to the jump ball toss. To each his own. When in Rome ...

It's a pity that basketball doesn't have a system like hockey where the captains have something on their jersey that identifies them. In hockey, the rule about only allowing captains (or alternate captains) to address the referee on rules matters is stringently enforced, because it is clear to the referees who is wearing the "C" or "A" on the jersey.

But then, the two games have evolved in different directions. In basketball, the captain is a relic of a prior time when coaches did not exist, so most of his duties are now performed by the coach. In hockey, the captains are still relevant, because the coach is stuck on the bench and is unable to talk to the referees, at least during live play. In basketball (except for the professional level), the jump ball is only used to start the game and overtime, but in hockey, the faceoff (that sport's equivalent) is the way to resume play, unless a penalty shot is appointed.