Kim Mulkey at it again

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Just another mask "consequence".

I am still confused. What is the consequence of the mask?

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I am still confused. What is the consequence of the mask?

Unclear communication, both oral communication and body language (facial expression). In my post I was pointing out that some masked officials had, while reporting fouls, resorted to pointing to benches to supplement (and clarify) their oral communication of the color of the offending team, a trick most of us learned over many years officiating at The American School For The Deaf (with a deaf scorekeeper), but frowned upon as an irritant in "hearing" games.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Unclear communication, both oral communication and body language (facial expression). In my post I was pointing out that some masked officials had, while reporting fouls, resorted to pointing to benches to supplement (and clarify) their oral communication of the color of the offending team, a trick most of us learned over many years officiating at The American School For The Deaf (with a deaf scorekeeper), but frowned upon as an irritant in "hearing" games.

What I am saying is they called a technical on the bench, which often does not come with a number or you have to clarify who that person is. I will and seen others point to the bench just like we point to the bench on a warning we give because of the actions of someone on the bench. You tend to find these things no one is talking about, so what is why I was confused about what you were addressing. The mask probably has nothing to do with it but making it clear that is who is getting the T.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

What I am saying is they called a technical on the bench, which often does not come with a number or you have to clarify who that person is ...

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I know this past year I was saying things I would have never said because of having a mask on.

The post directly above was the one that got me thinking, not realizing it was just about technical fouls. To paraphrase JRutledge words, I know that this past year some of our local officials were doing things (pointing to bench while reporting fouls for color clarity) that they would have never done because of having a mask on.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

The post directly above was the one that got me thinking, not realizing it was just about technical fouls. To paraphrase JRutledge words, I know that this past year some of our local officials were doing things (pointing to bench while reporting fouls for color clarity) that they would have never done because of having a mask on.

Everything is not about what you locally do. I am just saying if they T'd the bench it is common to point to the bench when that is happening. You do not likely see that on a foul on the floor with the players. I cannot speak for what folks you know do in the association you belong to. These officials are not likely from there.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

... I am just saying if they T'd the bench it is common to point to the bench when that is happening. You do not likely see that on a foul on the floor with the players.

... not likely, fully agree, but some of our guys unilaterally decided to use it as a clarifying "work around" while wearing voice obstructing masks, a creative and brilliant "work around" (though not formally "approved") possibly learned while dealing with deaf scorekeepers.

I myself have many times used the "point mechanic" while officiating at The American School For The Deaf. Didn't need it in my "masked" (hearing) middle school games over the past two years, with small middle school crowds, and my loud, projecting, baritone "teacher" voice, but some of my "masked" varsity friends (especially female officials) found the "point mechanic" useful in their often crowded and loud high school varsity games.