Preliminary Signals

[ChuckElias]

Speaking of verbalizing the shooter's number, here's a little story from camp this summer. It was a 3-whistle camp and I was with two very good officials. We worked well together and had a good game.

In this particular sitch, Team B has just scored a basket. A1 inbounds the ball to A2 and A2 begins to dribble upcourt. B1 is guarding A2 rather loosely, just sort of walking backwards upcourt to keep an eye on A2. A1 is moving upcourt faster than A2 to get into his offensive position.

I am Center, table side, and I am watching the offense set up and making sure the defense lets them move through the lane. Meanwhile, my partner at Trail -- still in the backcourt -- blows a foul against B1. I know that we're in the bonus, so I immediately try to find our shooter. No problem. The only other player in the backcourt is the dribbler, A2. I keep an eye on him so that when my partner turns around from the table, I can confirm his shooter if he's forgotten.

Only problem is, partner puts A1 on the line. I catch his eye and point to the dribbler, he shakes me off. So we're going with A1, but I have no idea why.

Until we watch the tape.

As A1 ran past B1 to get to his offensive spot, B1 subtlely leaned sideways and planted a shoulder right into A1's chest. But b/c I was watching (far) off-ball, I didn't know who had been fouled. A quick verbalization from my partner would've eliminated any confusion, and made me more comfortable; although fortunately, he was on top of things and had the right shooter anyway.

FWIW. Probably not much. . .

[mick]

Originally posted by ChuckElias
Speaking of verbalizing the shooter's number, here's a little story from camp this summer. It was a 3-whistle camp and I was with two very good officials. We worked well together and had a good game.

In this particular sitch, Team B has just scored a basket. A1 inbounds the ball to A2 and A2 begins to dribble upcourt. B1 is guarding A2 rather loosely, just sort of walking backwards upcourt to keep an eye on A2. A1 is moving upcourt faster than A2 to get into his offensive position.

I am Center, table side, and I am watching the offense set up and making sure the defense lets them move through the lane. Meanwhile, my partner at Trail -- still in the backcourt -- blows a foul against B1. I know that we're in the bonus, so I immediately try to find our shooter. No problem. The only other player in the backcourt is the dribbler, A2. I keep an eye on him so that when my partner turns around from the table, I can confirm his shooter if he's forgotten.

Only problem is, partner puts A1 on the line. I catch his eye and point to the dribbler, he shakes me off. So we're going with A1, but I have no idea why.

Until we watch the tape.

As A1 ran past B1 to get to his offensive spot, B1 subtlely leaned sideways and planted a shoulder right into A1's chest. But b/c I was watching (far) off-ball, I didn't know who had been fouled. A quick verbalization from my partner would've eliminated any confusion, and made me more comfortable; although fortunately, he was on top of things and had the right shooter anyway.

FWIW. Probably not much. . .

Good sitch.