A novel 3 point "try for goal" preliminary mechanic?
 

Recently worked in what the sponsors called an "Exposure tournament" for rising HS seniors to display their skills to "interested parties"; the refs were from different regions. When marking a 3 point try for goal, I observed one of my partners to consistently do the following: use the normal raised one arm at approximately 90 degree angle with fingers of three; however, the other arm was placed diagonally across her chest with the palm coming to rest in a "pledge of allegiance" fashion!

The consistency with which she displayed this rather elegant pose when marking the 3 point try indicated to me that this was a common practice from wherever she was from; or a preferred practice of her's, or maybe it has a functional role.

Anyone else seen this mechanic, and, is it kosher?

Thanks.

Bit odd though, probably not something that would get critiqued on outside of camps perhaps. Worst thing ive seen for 3 pt made basket is a crew doing "raise the roof"

Was it a mechanic or just a personal quirk? Sounds like a personal quirk. Otherwise, it means nothing.

Peace

A lot of referees bring their non-signaling arm ("activator arm") across their chest when making a signal with the other arm.

The standard mechanic for a 3-pointer is raising an arm with 3 fingers at a 45° angle (NCAA men's mechanics say to raise the arm at 2 o'clock (right) or 10 o'clock (left)). 90°, i.e. straight up, is the NCAA women's and NBA mechanic.

Three Point Attempt ...
 

NFHS signal seems higher than 45°:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...4b3a26cc_m.jpg

IAABO signal is closer to 45°, described as "top of head level":

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...4c2e097c_m.jpg

And if I mention this to someone I have nothing else better to mention to them and try to nitpick something about them (which might be justified). The main thing I have heard is do you give the "OK signal" verse a straight open palm.

Peace

I agree with you 100% chance.

MTD, Sr.

Really? It was my first time ever seeing the such! so not sure what you mean by "lots of refs'?
But hay thanks for also a new term " activator arm" , quite descriptive.

No intention to "not pick" anything that my ref peers do, I just asking about that "pledge of allegiance" pose with her non-signaling arm/hand when marking the 3? ,That mechanic was novel to me;however, far be it for me to give any unsolicited critique of my ref peer.

Really? You mean that after the made 3 the refs actually , and in unison, displayed that sign/meta-dance? WTHay?! Too funny.

That ranks up there with the " double whistle'' on an add-ones type of plays when refs pops a first whistle for the contact on shooter, then pops a second whistle when the ball goes in! Lol.

To be fair they didn't do the pumping of the arms... just had their palms facing the cieling.

That's about as unusual as some of my peers who go palms (and arms) forward, making it look like they're surrendering [insert WW2 France joke].

*Do you mean that is how they've marked the 3 ? By displaying such hand&arm motions? Wow, that's even more non-traditional!

Huahh @ the French Resistance, vie eternale!

All I was saying was it was likely a personal thing that official does. If you watch enough film on yourself, we all do something that might look wonky if we evaluated it that deep. I know I have and why I changed some things on purpose.

Peace

I first witnessed this about 12 years ago from Scott Foster.
At the time he was the only one doing it. It spread like wildfire in some small college leagues and the under 30 generation who had NBA aspirations.

Fast foward five years later, I was at a camp where a current D1 supervisor asked an official to show him his 3pt mechanic. Said official did his "Pledge Allegiance" mechanic. After doing it five times the official realized what the supervisor was getting at. This "mechanic" has lost its steam around here. The latest "fad" seems to have the elbow at a 90 degree angle....to each his own.

Interesting. Been to many D1 camps over the years and never had anyone address this in any way good or bad. Or never heard anyone give a name to any such pose.

Just shows how regional stuff can be in officiating.

Peace

It got so bad in this region (would also be done on foul calls), that even Joe Forte got tired of his officials doing it, and he is someone who loves NBA-type presentation on the court.

I knew my good friend Raymond ( BNR ) would have something to add. And yes Rut, you are correct it was a regional thing , from DC to Atlanta if you were under 30, had NBA / Big South aspirations this is what you did.

*Ok, so self-observations led to mindset changes which ultimately led to certain behavioral changes that were either added to or discarded from your game; however, I will not be adding that particular marking to my game, although I shall remain a curious observer of it.

*This is awesome History for us. Thanks for sharing. Also, it sheds light on how a previous ly bonafide mechanic can devolve into a "fad". Yet a different/new mechanic can evolve as a result of the other falling out of favor in referee subculture.

Wow, all I can say is wow, this enlightening for sure. The irony of even that ref of note becoming exhausted by the incessant display of his own mechanic by his emulators is indeed irony at its highest level , thanks for sharing.