Was watching an experienced NCAA ref who works in our NFHS Assn. too.

As a free throw leaves shooters hand (trail official) he raises his hand - open palm. Holds it till shot is determined.

What does that signal? Proper mechanics?

Also: He's one of the few that still show a visable count on the shooter who has 10 seconds. Comments?

Proper mechanics as far as I was taught. The visible count pulsing the hand closed and open to show 10 second count and raising the hand on shot to chop time in upon legal touching on missed attempt.
Happy Holidays

According to trainers at Camp....
 

All of the Trail's hand motions should be done on the "backcourt side of the body" to minimize the distraction to the shooter. In other words, if the shooter is on your right hand side you complete the signals with the left hand; and vice versa on the other end of the court.

At a camp, one of the top guys in our board said to keep the hand open and flick the wrist on the count. For some reason he didn't like the opening and closing of the hand.

No visible count in NCAAW.

Visible count in FEd, NCAAM

Was also taught that if the basket is good and we're going to have a throw-in, the trail then lowers his hand and the lead will raise his and be responsible for chopping the clock on the inbounds.

When does the hand drop?
- when basket is missed?
- possession underneith?

Trail's hand drops with a chop as soon as a rebounder touches the ball. He drops it slowly as soon as it goes through the hoop, and the lead (now the new trail) raises his hand to chop in time.