Slightly out of focus

[Junker]

On occasion at lower level games we've had to pick a number between one 1 and 5 because someone didn't bring a coin. I have to agree that my coin flips are often not as good as my jumps. I need to spend some time working on them. I think rock papers scissors would add some suspense to the game. Maybe folks would show up to see it.

[Dan_ref]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by rainmaker
[B]

Originally posted by Back In The Saddle

I visited the Iowa High School Activities Association web site. Buried inside the girl's basketball section was this explaination.

"Beginning with the 2001-2002 season, each game will begin with a coin toss. The winner of the toss will be awarded the ball for a throw in to begin the game.

Be assured that the change was not undertaken lightly. A large working group consisting of coaches, administrators, officials and state office personell studied this issue for more than three years before recommending this action. Although the jump ball has always been a somewhat controversial element of the game, the committee stated that the deciding factor was ultimately that Dan_ref was unable to produce a toss that did not look like he was tossing it into the corner."

I'm famous! I made a difference! Yipeee!

Well, I personally think they should re-consider now that they've run him out of the state.

Hey c'mon....I was only in Iowa once and I was no where near that bank!

(Actually I was there during February a long time ago. Minus 30 degrees on a clear windless night, more snow than I've ever seen in 1 place my entire life.)

[Junker]

"Hey c'mon....I was only in Iowa once and I was no where near that bank!

(Actually I was there during February a long time ago. Minus 30 degrees on a clear windless night, more snow than I've ever seen in 1 place my entire life.)"

The scary thing is that when I was living in Missouri I actually missed this place in the winter. That along with the fact that I ref could probably prove me legally insane. Besides, Minus 30 is beach weather in Northern Iowa. You should be here when the wind is blowing!

[Nevadaref]

Originally posted by rotationslim


If I were reffing in Iowa, I'd make the girls do rock-paper- scissors for the first possesion, it is just as legitimate as a coin toss.

Whichever captain is better-looking gets the ball!

[IowaMike]

I live and ref in Iowa and the coin toss is absolutely ridiculous. I also ref across the river in Illinois and Illinois and Iowa teams somtimes play each other. It is quite humorous to see how lost the Iowa girls are trying to line up for a jump ball. We have different state associations for boys and girls sports in Iowa and I believe that the only reason that the girls union comes up with their own adaptations is so that they can continue to justify their existence. Funny how girls in every other state of the union can manage a jump ball.

[Edited by IowaMike on Oct 24th, 2004 at 10:56 PM]

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally posted by rainmaker

Seriously, Ray, I don't think this is a bad suggestion. Nor is the one from BZ about establishing a routine and sticking to it.

What I do anytime I have trouble keeping my head in the game is talk to myself out loud, describing what's happening, and my judgements and decisions. It really does work.

Well, I tried to limit it to three. But the assigner wouldn't give me just three. It was four or nuthin.

I have never tried doing the play-by-play thing you describe. I should try it. Of course, I used to do basketball play-by-play on the radio when I was younger. So if I did it, it would probably come out sounding like Hot Rod Hundley. Or worse, Billy Packer

I do have a kind of routine on free-throws where I think through what I'll be looking for. It goes something like, "Hold your whistle on white, blow on red. Watch for the second player to push. You've got your half of the key on any rebound." Just the act of saying it in my head tends to force me to focus. Perhaps something similar for the jump ball would be effective.

[rainmaker]

Originally posted by Back In The Saddle
I do have a kind of routine on free-throws where I think through what I'll be looking for. It goes something like, "Hold your whistle on white, blow on red. Watch for the second player to push. You've got your half of the key on any rebound." Just the act of saying it in my head tends to force me to focus. Perhaps something similar for the jump ball would be effective.

By Jove, I think he's got it!