A couple years ago, I noticed that I'd developed MTS (Multiple Tweet Syndrome) without even realizing it was happening. I was tweet-tweet-tweeting all over the place. It was partly a result of officiating lacrosse, where that is encouraged. But I had to work hard to get rid of it, b/c it had become such a bad habit. I still do it occasionally on a quick travel that takes me by surprise, but for the most part, it's gone from my game.

Now, however, I discover that I have JPS (Just Point Syndrome). I have no idea how it happened, but when I call a foul for an illegal screen, I neglect to put up a fist!

I first noticed this at camp this summer, but I chalked it up to being nervous. But it's still happening. I know we see it from some of the "big-wigs" on TV, but I don't like it and now I've got to get rid of this bad habit too. :mad: One more reason to avoid the bad habits in the first place.

I feel your pain Chuck. Every once in a while, I'll start doing some bad habit that I got rid of long, long ago. No idea what makes it return to haunt me, it just does.

I have to concentrate on slowing down to get rid of it. It's really slowing my path to perfection. :-)

Z

Don't worry Chuck, no one's gonna notice

http://media1.funnyjunk.com/pics/huge_nuts.jpg

Damn, that has GOT to hurt!

Did you ever try to stand on your own balls? :eek:

On second thought, don't answer that. I really don't wanna know.

Not exactly...but I will admit it takes quite a bit of rope to avoid kicking the other thing. :eek:

The good news Chuck, is that you recognize your bad habits on your own...usually it takes an observer/evaluator saying "Hey, why do you..." before I even realize I'm doing things wrong...

I came down with a pretty bad case of JPS at the beginning of last season - my hand didn't go up for anything - foul or violation.

I realized what I was doing right after each call I made. I fixed it mainly by talking to myself - reminding myself to put my arm up on every call. Thankfully, I cured myself pretty quickly.

It also helped that a friend of mine who knows reffing pretty well was there to supervise that night.

Once in a while I'll have a case of JPS. Usually on rebounding and screening fouls, but occasionally on PC fouls when I'm the C. Watching too much D-I men's on TV, I guess. Doesn't really bother me, though.

I do point the other way on fouls going to the other end of the floor. I know you are not supposed to do it. I just cannot stop doing it. I have only had one person tell me to stop doing it. And that person I did not have a lot of respect for as an official. I guess that is something that will have to be beaten out of me.

I still can not stop birddoging--it was drilled into me so much that I am having a hard time stoping. Oh well just another thing to keep working on.

You can still birddog on foul calls. It is just not required anymore.

I was wondering as a relatively new referee, when the ball goes out of bounds, I always stick my hand up first to stop the clock, then point in the direction of the ball. Most referees I work with just point without first raising their hand. Is one method more proper than the other? How many of you just point?

That depends on what level you are working (or your area). In NF and NCAA Men's basketball, you are supposed to raise your hand first. If you are working NCAA Women's, you can point. I am going to assume that you are working mainly NF mechanics, so you need to do what the NF advocates. You are probably not experienced enough to start varying from the proper mechanics. You probably see more veterans just pointing. You are not going to be judged the same.

Peace

Compared to you, I am a grizzled old veteran. However, when I am doing an NFHS game I use NFHS mechanics. I've been around long enough that I'm sure I could get away with "less than perfect" mechanics. Going by the book will never hurt you.

Z

I've caught myself doing this lately. I know in Iowa they mentioned this in a recent memo to officials, pointing out that it's the women's NCAA mechanic, and that the proper NFHS mechanic is to raise the hand to stop the clock. I'm trying to get back to the proper way (I'll never fix it if I don't do any more games).
I've also caught myself using my finger instead of pointing with the whole hand. Bad bad bad.