That new "illegal use of hands signal" (closed fist instead of open hand) is beating me up. I have a bruise the size of a softball on the underneath of my right forearm after doing two summer league games last night. I guess I'd better learn to lighten up on my hack.

Z

I thought the fist was an upgrade, because the Karate chop hurt my forearms so much. :cool:
mick

You really don't need to hit yourself
 

Its a signal, not an action. Just make the motion and then stop before hitting yourself.

Re: You really don't need to hit yourself
 

Damian,

Maybe you're more coordinated than me. Or maybe I had some deep need to castigate myself for past transgressions. :p

Z

Re: You really don't need to hit yourself
 

maso: "Hit me! Hit me!"
sado: "No."

I've had this problem for some time as well. I seem to not get the hint that I should stop before I hit my arm. I guess I just get caught up in the moment. I've even had people ask if that hurt, my reply "A little." :D

Being a new ref I started using the mechanic in the book but soon noticed no one I saw used the open hand. I don't think it's much of a change for most.

When I started officiating, I used to do the "block" signal with closed fists. I would do the NBA style hitting my hips 2 or 3 times. I was glad when an evaluator critiqued me away from this technique, as the bruises were quite large and painful. ;)

Practice it...
I have used closed fist for years. (We could use it around here because it looks strong). You just need to know where your arms are and stop short...

When I was a little girl, the middle finger of my right hand got caught in the mechanixm of a folding chair, and presto chango, a few centimeters disappeared. After it healed, the nail hangs out over the end, and is never completely "guarded". There's always a little tip hanging out.

The first time I called a technical foul, I, as you say, got caught up in the moment, and really sold the call. Left a little slice out of the palm of my left hand. Ouch!

I've jammed my ring finger a few times on rec league T's.

I usually have a very quick non-emotional whack call, but in those rec leagues, a few guys have gotten the wind-up and pop. As my Grandpa used to say, "This is gonna hurt me as much as it is you." :D

Z...you hit the underside of your arm? I usually put left arm straight out with palm down and in a fist, then use right fist to signal "illegal use of hands"...it looks like I'm going to hit my arm hard, but I come up just short before I actually hit my arm.
Like mick, my karate chops hurt much worse than my fists. :)