Preventative Officiating Techniques

[Adam]

Yep, just because you use a lanyard doesn't mean you can't use your hands, too.

[TimTaylor]

Wrong BZ, read them again. Both 2004-2005 casebook situations that I cited specifically use the phrase "B1 reaches through the boundary line plane" - that's a direct quote.

Whether they simply violate the plane, or commit a technical or intentional foul by touching the ball or thrower respectively is irrelevant with regard to this discussion - all occur during a throw-in. The precise action that is clearly stated by NFHS as precipitating the warning/penalty is reaching through the boundary line plane.

I would never use the terms "don't reach" while the ball is in play on the court, but in the specific context of the throw-in, I believe it is perfectly acceptable terminology for the reasons I have previously cited. As I said earlier, it's clear, concise, and it works - and further I have never had a problem or misunderstanding using this technique, nor a negative comment from any partner or evaluator.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

[bob jenkins]

Originally posted by blindzebra

The word REACHING should NEVER be used by an official, EVER.

Don't be reaching for that check, partner.

Let me push it over to you.

[DownTownTonyBrown]

Which kind of hammer do you require when BREAKING the plane?

[ChuckElias]

In the post, I'll warn with "Straight up!", or "Don't hold!"

During a throw-in:

• If I'm administering, I always (even on a sideline throw-in) say "Spot!" if it's from a designated spot.
• If the defender is standing right up to the OOB line, I say "Don't reach across."
• If I'm not administering, I will sometimes say "Don't push!" or "Straight up!" if there are 9 guys all jockeying for position.

I often say "No hands!" when a defender is "measuring up" the dribbler.

To the coach, "I need you to find your box, please."

[DownTownTonyBrown]

Off-ball screens are generally sloppy.

Lately I've taken to telling players to "make a good screen." This is for the minor infractions that really don't affect the defense because the defense is already six steps behind. Any last second knocking of defenders I call immediately.

[Dan_ref]

Originally posted by blindzebra


5 seconds on throw in, "Get it in."

10 second back court, "Get it across."

5 second closely guarded, "Do something."

"Hands," once and then handcheck or hold.

Knee lift, "Get your knee out," once and then foul.

I would never warn on these counts. I'm not such a big fan of warning on the 3 seconds either. If it (3 seconds) needs to be called then call it, if it's borderline ignore it.

Knee to the @ss in the post and handcheck should be a whistle without a warning IMO.

I've gone to players, that were getting frustrated or looking for contact every trip down the floor, and told them to knock it off and play ball.

Yeah, having a quick word with a player often gets them on the same page as you.

[ChrisSportsFan]

i agree with those who talk players out of fouls ("hands off, straight up, get out") i usually start the game like this but i'm not going to chase you out of the lane all night. sometime it become redundant to keep warning without a penalty. i sure wouldn't give a coach a whole quarter full of warnings.

[rainmaker]

Originally posted by TimTaylor

You might want to read casebook 7.6.3.C & 9.2.11.B - the specific terminology used by NFHS is "reaches through". The warning for violation of 7.6.3.C is for delay - boundary line violation, but the action that precipitates the warning is reaching through the boundary line.

Also see items 3 & 4 of the penalty section at the end of 9-2 in the rule book - both use the specific terminology "reaches through the throw-in boundary".

Making eye contact with a defender bellying up to the sideline and saying "don't reach" before handing the ball to the thrower is clear and unambiguous - and it works. You can use what you want, but since that is the specific terminology used by NFHS, it will continue to be my terminology of choice until they decide to change it.

What I do that works, and doesn't use the word "reaching", is that before I make the ball available, I move my arm up and down along the "plane" (parallel to the sideline, of course), and say, "Glass wall." I try to make eye contact with the defender. Sometimes, ms players will look at me quizzically, then I say, "You can see through but your arms stay on that side." Works great.

[blindzebra]

Originally posted by rainmaker

What I do that works, and doesn't use the word "reaching", is that before I make the ball available, I move my arm up and down along the "plane" (parallel to the sideline, of course), and say, "Glass wall." I try to make eye contact with the defender. Sometimes, ms players will look at me quizzically, then I say, "You can see through but your arms stay on that side." Works great.

I've used the glass wall with the younger kids, especially after one of them has been warned for BREAKING THE PLANE.

[carldog]

"Are you guys done yet" said to two tangled players before a foul shot gives no advantage to either team.

But many of these comments sound to me like they do give an unfair advantage to one player/team.

"Get it in!" (5 seconds) certainly does. Why help out the offensive team in this situation? Maybe at the grade school level....as a reminder of the rule.....but would you really use this comment in a championship varsity boys contest?

Also, Tim asked a good question that I will paraphrase and ask for some comments about: What is "preventative offciating" trying to prevent?

Thanks!

[blindzebra]

Originally posted by carldog
"Are you guys done yet" said to two tangled players before a foul shot gives no advantage to either team.

But many of these comments sound to me like they do give an unfair advantage to one player/team.

"Get it in!" (5 seconds) certainly does. Why help out the offensive team in this situation? Maybe at the grade school level....as a reminder of the rule.....but would you really use this comment in a championship varsity boys contest?

Also, Tim asked a good question that I will paraphrase and ask for some comments about: What is "preventative offciating" trying to prevent?

Thanks!

Again, where in my first post was the CONTEXT of the preventive officiating stated?

Where was it said, every game at every level?

What does it prevent?

It prevents a ruined, actionless game, dominated by an official's whistle without it being necessary.

[DownTownTonyBrown]

Originally posted by carldog
[B... What is "preventative offciating" trying to prevent?

Thanks!

[/B]

Exactly. It keeps the game going. A continuous flow is what makes the game exciting. Listening to those beautiful whistles isn't it. Watching a throw-in isn't it. Admiring the capable talent of shooting a free throw isn't it. IT IS THE ACTION.

If you can keep the game rolling and not need to call the minor/inconsequential fouls and violations, you end up with a much better result. Happy fans. Happy players. Content coaches (well maybe). Preventive officiating keeps the action coming.

[DownTownTonyBrown]

Here's another subtle technique that might be considered preventative.

At some camp it was suggested that for the throw-in 5-second count the official could start his count as if it was a hand on a clock at about the 5 and the next swing be a little higher, the next swing at the 3, the next swing at the 2 (there's a pattern here). So that if you get to the five second throw-in violation your hand is nearly straight up and you have changed your emphasis during each count - essentially stressing the impending violation.

(By the way don't count backwards or you might end up with a six second count.)

[Smitty]

Originally posted by DownTownTonyBrown

Exactly. It keeps the game going. A continuous flow is what makes the game exciting. Listening to those beautiful whistles isn't it. Watching a throw-in isn't it. Admiring the capable talent of shooting a free throw isn't it. IT IS THE ACTION.

If you can keep the game rolling and not need to call the minor/inconsequential fouls and violations, you end up with a much better result. Happy fans. Happy players. Content coaches (well maybe). Preventive officiating keeps the action coming. [/B]

I think we could all probably say that the best games we have worked are those that had good flow, lots of end-to-end action and were close, well played games. I can see both sides of the arguments mentioned in this thread. I tend to talk to the players during moments where that particular player would be doing something that required me to blow my whistle if they were involved in the play or the offensive player was making a play. I will talk to the players when I can, but will not hesitate to blow the whistle when I believe an advantage is gained. I also have to remember that it's the players who determine the flow of the game, not me.