Last night, Girls V game. I'm R. During the captain's conference, each team brought 3 to the conference so I asked which one was the "speaking captain." (I'll talk to anyone if their polite, but I like to do what the official's manual says which is to ask each captain if they're ready before the tip). A1 says, "I am." She's number 12. B1 says, "I am" and she's #10.

Introductions done, band plays the anthem and we're ready to go. I turn to #12 white and say, "are your ready?" She says yes. I turn to #10 blue and.... and.... and.... #10 blue is on the bench. I just smiled and turned to any random player wearing blue and said, "are you ready."

Sigh ...... :D

Z

I'm still looking for a good reason that the notion of a captain exists, at least in HS ball. I suppose I'm technically incorrect by not asking the captains if they're ready to play before the toss, but I'm just crazy enough to believe that if they're 10 players on the floor, we're ready. If I need something fixed, I'm going to whomever looks like the most influential member of the team, captain or not. If I need a shooter for Ts, I ask the coach. If I asked the captain, he'd most likely just turn to the coach and ask. So....what's the point?

I've been in many captain's meetings where my partner will ask about the speaking captain and tell them that we'll come to them...blah blah blah and we only want to talk to you yadda yadda yadda. And I've never seen or heard a single one of them follow through with anything they've said.

I can see that it would be a kind of perk for coaches to recognize a player by making him/her a captain. But beyond that, what's the point?

We're gonna do this...
 

I've had partners do similar. "We're gonna work really hard for you. We're gonna do this... We're gonna call this, this way..."

That's the way partner - stretch my neck out there so some childish coach can chop it off. Thanks Buddy.

I've been known to respond "After all of that, I'm not sure what my partner is going to do. But, I'm going to have a great game. I hope you do too. Good luck! Let's play ball."

Usually gets a smirk from the coaches and a broken-hearted, dumb-founded look from my partner. Duh! You idiot, don't be expecting me to live up to your ding-bat comments. You're setting us up for failure.

Aargh! Sorry BITS, your comments just struck a nerve.

All's better again. :)

Or how about, "it's black, all the way around, except for under the net, where it's blue. The 3-point line is black, and the half-court line is black too. The free throw line is black, as are the lane lines and blocks. Remember you can't step on the blocks: you're not old enough."

Since we have to be on the floor pretty early it gives us somthing to do.

I'm under the same kind of thinking here. 10 players on the floor, 2 in the circle ready to jump, 2 coaches complaining already..AHHH 'Tis the season for basketball. I guess I'm afraid of the old come back if I ask ... "Are you ready?" ... "Nope, we are just out here for our health." :D But I usually don't ask.

For eight years I have never actually remembered what number a captain is, nor spoken to one for any reason. If I NEEDED to know the captain's number, I would concentrate and memorize it, but have found it unnecessary. The LONG boring Captain's meeting reminded me of this (tounge-in-cheek) rendition I devised modeled after a referee in our asso. but it's not too exaggerated:

OK, I'm the REFEREE tonight so give me the ball.

Captains Meeting: Hello Ladies (or Gentlemen). I am Mr. BIG REF, and this is my partner, Mrs. Little Ref. Does anyone have contacts, asthma, an inhaler, diabetes, epilepsy, or their period (girls only)? We are playing the black line all around except where it's red, the ceiling is out-of-bounds, keep your hands off on defense, watch the hand-checking, no taunting or baiting, shirts tucked in, no jewelry, wait for us to call you in to sub, play the whistle not the horn, wait for the ball to hit the rim on free throws. If you need us for anything, just ask, we'll try our best to explain things. Any questions? OK LADIES, play a good game and have fun.

What's that snoring I hear? Oh my, the Captains have all fallen asleep! Does that mean we start the game with a Technical? Or is it two Technicals, or four? Does the coach get one Direct T, or two? Geesh, if only I didn't bore them to sleep with all that unnecessary discussion at the Captains Meeting....

Short and sweet.

I need a floor captin for white, floor captin for red. Ok gentlemen/ladies we'll come to if we need anything you come to us if you need anything. Sportsmanship is the number one thing. Coaches, players properly equiped? Good luck!

I was about to suggest that "since we all agree that long, boring captains' meetings are undesirable..." But that sentence doesn't make sense without conceeding that there are some officials who actually like long, boring captain's meetings. But I digress....

Who has a short, to the point spiel they'd like to share? I need a good one.

BTW, my partner for my last game admonished the captains and coaches to "not get distracted by the officiating." That was interesting. :)

I have found that the coaches usually choose a fairly "level headed" kid to be captain. If I see a player that is getting frustrated, I might ask the captain to go take care of him "before I have to."

I don't really understand why we are instructed to ask the captains if they are ready to play either. But, it's in the officials manual so I'll do it until I figure out a good reason not to. :D

Z

Short and to the point
 

I suggest strongly... don't have one.

I talk with the coaches. Handshakes. Pleasantries. "Are your player's properly equipped?" More pleasantries. "Is there anything you want us to talk to your kids about?" Last pleasantry. Closing handshake. "Gentlemen, Good luck and have a great game."

I have yet to have a coach say, "Yes" they want me to talk with (read as "bore") their kids. Therefore, no Captains meeting.

I'll go back and share pleasantries with the team I'm watching as they warm up.

During the introductions when the players run by to shake hands, slap hands, or give me some fist, I'll say "Good luck, So-and-so." It's not to difficult; the anouncer just said their name. I've just got to repeat it.

"EVERYBODY READY? Know what way you are going?" Tweet. Ball goes up and the game is on.

BITS:

You asked why does the notion of captains still exist?

As one peruses the rules, one sees that the captain is referenced many times but the coach is only referred to with regard to the conduct of bench of personnel. The reason for is that long ago in a galaxy far, far away, the coach had absolutely no contact with the players on the court except during halftime. Players on the court were the only ones allowed to request a timeout, and when a timeout was granted the players had to stay on the court and could not communicate directly with the coach; these restrictions also applied to the intermission between the 1st and 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters, between overtime periods.

Just think how much easier and quicker the game would be if the game still had these restrictions.

MTD, Sr.

DTTB,
I guess I am one of the more long-winded in the pre-game. I always give them a spiel. But once on the floor, mine is like yours.... Everybody ready? Stay set and stay put. Know which way you're going? OK guys, if we're gonna be out here an hour and a half let's have some fun, OK. Good luck! Tweet. Ball goes up.

The reason for is that long ago in a galaxy far, far away, the coach had absolutely no contact with the players on the court except during halftime. Players on the court were the only ones allowed to request a timeout, and when a timeout was granted the players had to stay on the court and <font color = red>could not communicate directly with the coach</font>; these restrictions also applied to the intermission between the 1st and 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters, between overtime periods.

[/B][/QUOTE]Say what? I can't ever remember the players not being able to talk to the coaches during timeouts. And not being able to talk between quarters either? I've refereed 46 years and I've never heard of that one--at any level.

Captains Meeting: (12 minutes)
"Ok guys get in close,(The band is loud), This is Mr. (name) and this is Mr.(name) and I am Mr. (name). We're going to show great sportsmanship tonight...not like all that crap you see in the NBA. If an opponent falls down...you can help him up...it's not against the rules.(smile)
(pointing at the stands) All these people paid good money tonight to see you guys play...not us officials having to get all funky. Understand? (Blank stares and some head nodding) Ok, (looking at partners) do you guys have anything to add? (Usually, "No" or "Just have fun")
"Alright, shake hands (players w/ players again) and have fun!"

Coaches Meeting: (2 minutes...Visiting Coach first)

"Hi Coach, (my name), and this is (U1's name) & (U2's name)
(sometimes I'll even shake the assistant coach's hand) :)
...so coach, do you have any questions, comments, jokes?" (usually lightens the coach up...may have a variety of answers...such as "Not any I can tell here." etc. So far have not heard, "Yeah, 3 of um' are standing in front of me!" :D)
Then I end the short conference with, "OK, if you see anything out there...don't be afraid to let us know."
(I love to see their face when I say this. You know, most coaches are going to "let you know" if they see "something" anyway...I just give them permission, and he that give-uth can take away-uth. ;)

Some of you may go absolutely nuts about this. Fine, don't use it...use what works for you and use what fits your own individual personality.

I never ask the coaches if they have any questions. One time my partner asked them if they had any questions. One coach said, "how ya' gonna call handchecking tonight?" The other coach asked, "are you gonna call their illegal screens?" IMHO, don't ask them if they have any questions.

Z

Say what? I can't ever remember the players not being able to talk to the coaches during timeouts. And not being able to talk between quarters either? I've refereed 46 years and I've never heard of that one--at any level. [/B][/QUOTE]


JR:

46 years of officiating takes you back to 1959. These restrictions predate even you. It was even before your time. I am talking as late as the 1930's and early 1940's.

MTD, Sr.

C'mon Z,
I would wager you are a good enough official that those little questions would have a more than adequate response from you.

i.e.
"Coach, we're gonna call um' as we see um'." or
"I guess you're gonna find out in a few minutes."

You don't have to get into a long debate over your philosophy of hand checks or screens or anything else for that matter. They will soon find out how the game is called...and adjust accordingly, if need be.

Usually the coach asks nothing...but, I did have one the other night ask if we were going to call the "flop". He stated that his player was called for one when his team was visiting another town using another officials' association.

We stated that the "flop" was a T this year and if a player does indeed "flop"...then that is the rule.
He asked a rule question, and we answered it.
We didn't say we would call it or not...just that it was a rule, and we would use our judgement to determine if it was a "flop" or not.

Re: Short and to the point
 

JR:

46 years of officiating takes you back to 1959. These restrictions predate even you. It was even before your time. I am talking as late as the 1930's and early 1940's.

[/B][/QUOTE]Sorry. I forgot that you were that old. :D

I started doing this a couple of months ago. I love that look. In all seriousness I think it goes a long way to diffusing the adversarial relationship that often exists between coaches and officials. But one thing I've noticed is that if a coach responds by saying, "Oh, I never say anything to the officials," he's lying through his pearly whites.

I wondered if it wasn't something like that. I knew coaches had much more stringent restrictions in the old days. I'm not sure that the blissful quiet on the sidelines would be worth having to endure middle school games where the coach wasn't allowed to coach his players. :D

I get the captains out to the center circle, have them shake hands with their opponents if they haven't already done so by the time I start speaking, I introduce myself and my co-official(s), ask them if they have any question over any rule interpretation. I strongly advise them that sportmanship will be expected from everyone, and if there is a problem, they should come to us in a respectful manner and address the problem. Good luck. Its over and they can go about their pregame as usual. I dont go into any long winded speech, usually takes about 1 minute. If there is 10(more or less) players on one end of the floor wearing the same uniform, I see no need in asking if everyone is properly equipped, why is this necessary, are we going to have a cup or a bra check later? I only talk to the coaches in pregame to introduce myself and get them to sign the book, or just introduce myself if I am the umpire. There is nothing we need to discuss prior to the contest that I can think of.

I'm confused -- there's no requirement to "stay set and stay put".

I am extremely informal. I always introduce us to the kids by first name.

Hi, this is Bob. I'm Rich. Who's in charge tonight? OK, 22 red and 10 white. We're going to try to talk to you early on -- listen to us, we don't want any unnecessary fouls. Get loose balls to the nearest official - we're not chasing any basketballs. Any questions? Anything you want to add Bob? (Silence from Bob). Be good sports and have fun.

That's it. If it takes more than a minute I expect to be fined one post game beverage by my partner. Then the R goes to the table and the U1 (or U1/U2) goes back to opposite table.

In Wisconsin, we meet the coaches at 1:30. The R goes first and we go to the V bench first. We already know the coaches' names and we use them: Jim, nice to see you, I'm Rich. Hi, Jim great to see you, I'm Bill. R: Jim, are all your players legally and properly attired? Yes. Do you promise to exhibit and promote good sportsmanship? Yes. Good luck. Then we introduce ourselves to the assistant coaches and we move to the H bench where we do the same thing. By then, it's almost 0:00 on the clock. Anthem, introductions, off we go.

I'm sure there's variation among crews, but I give both teams the same amount of time and use the exact same words when possible.

--Rich

I don't remember exactly what I said that night, something along the lines of, "we're going to call them by the rules." But I just learned that night that it's easier not to ask them if they have questions because they'll come up with some doozies that don't accomplish anything.

Z

Once the refereee is "ready," non-jumpers may not move onto or around the circle. The jumpers must remain in their half of the circle. But that's a bit of a mouthful :)

I do ask for speaking captains during the captains meeting, and do request that it be a starter if possible. However, when it comes to jump at the beginning of the game, I do something to the fact of "both centers ready to go...give me a chance to get it (the ball) up there, because I am a little shorter then the two of you" (referring to the centers), and then I put the ball in the air.

But they may all move away from the circle at anytime. So, "Stay set and stay put" is telling them not to do something that is legal.

All say is "Ready?" to everyone...more of an alert that we're going to begin rather than a question.

With captains: "Guys/gals, shake hands. I'm Mr. Elias, this is Mrs. Downs. Blue, who's your floor captain? White, floor captain? Ok, guys, have a good game. Good luck."

With coaches (one at a time): "Hi coach, nice to meet you/see you again. Good luck tonight."

As I've said dozens of times on this forum, the captains aren't listening to your spiel and they're certainly not going to tell everybody in the huddle what you just talked about for the last 3 minutes. So just say hi and good luck.

Assignment of Captain status is important to coaches, ADs, kids and parents, and from their point of view it truly is important. Our discussion with them means Squat-o-lah to the conduct of the game, so during my meeting I congratulate them on being Captains and team leaders, have a great game, go back to your warmups.

With reagard to readiness to begin the game, when I am throwing it has changed from "Captains, are you ready?" to "Jumpers, get ready! Ball is going up"; tweet, toss.

CRust,
"Get set and stay put" is what I say to the guys I'm walking past as I step into the circle to throw the ball up so they don't run into me onmy way in. The players know what I mean.

Chuck, how long you and Juulie been partners? Is that college ball you two are working 2-whistle? With the two of you on the game, I'm sure whatever is said in the captains' meeting is gramatically correct! :D

After reading this thread I realized that I have to make the meeting short or long depending on the situation I'm in. I would make it short if I had my way. In the DC area my partner, the two teams, the size of the gym, the coaches and whether it's a 2-man or 3-man crew all play a part in what I say. I have found this effective because once the ball is in the air all heck can and will break loose. I wish it wasn't this way but circumstances often dictate getting some things out of the way up front. This doesn't happen all the time, not even the majority of the time but it does happen. Most of the time I'm short and to the point.

Greet, greet, greet
My name is Chris, my partner's name is _____
Coaches; are your players properly equipped?
White floor captain _____? Blue floor captain _____?
Sportsmanship, habba, heeba, habubba, bedeble, hey hey hey.
Have fun, good luck!

Juulie and I have not worked together. It's just a future assignment I'm looking forward to at the 2005 THIRST (Tony Haire Invitational Referee Summer Tournament).

I think it would be great to work with a bunch of people from here. Who do I have to suck up to to get invited? I promise not to call in your area or use bad grammar :)

RookieDude,
I've used this on historically aggressive coaches and I follow the statement with a big smile.
For some warped reason, it seems to have a moderating effect on their voice-overs.
mick

Are those anything like comb-overs?

or do-overs?

Ooh, sorry, BITS - your pre-application has been denied.

My Captains and Coaches Meeting. After intros. Coaches are your players legally and properly equipted. Always say yes. Any questions? Never had one. Have a good game.

If I'm the Ref. Check clock, check table, check partner blow whistle and go.

What the Dexter? I thought Rocky was in charge around here :confused:

Why would Rocky be in charge of the Tony Haire Invitational Referee Summer Tournament?!?! :)

-Because Rocky has been anointed <b>Grand Vizier</b> of this forum, as well as <b>Lord and Master of the Universe</b>.

All Hail Rocky!!
http://deephousepage.com/smilies/respect.gif