Michigan State leads Michigan by about 11 with 2:13 to go in the 2nd half. After a made free throw by Michigan, MSU inbounds, with Ed Hightower as the trail. Before the ball gains frontcourt status, MSU calls a time-out with 2:02 remaining.

Before I go on, I understand that the official's count is how the 10-second violation is determined, and not by the game clock. I'm fine with no violation here.

However, Hightower NEVER had a visual count for the entire time the ball was in the backcourt. I don't mean to pick on Hightower, as many officials at the D-1 level don't seem to use a visual count--he just happened to be the official in this instance.

I guess the visual count is one of those "small things" that are irrelevant in a D-1 game?

I'm curious as to what others think about this. Anyone think there should always be the visual count? Anyone feel that there are more important things to worry about?

I always give a count. But I do not blame Hightower or any D1 official for not giving one. No one makes them do it. I know many officials that like to use the shot clock as a determining factor for 10 second counts. Unless someone takes away games I do not see how this is going to change.

Peace

I don't think it's as important for the backcourt, if you trust the officials to be counting. For the 5 second count it's more important, because the players need to know whether or not they're in the closely guarded situation. With the backcourt count, everyone knows it's there. Also, I'm guessing in the situation you cite that he saw the TO coming and gave it to them. The whistle and clock stop may have added the extra second.

Curious: what is the NCAA-M mechanic for a BC count? If there is supposed to be one, then EH was wrong. If it is optional, then I think the mechanics are lacking.

I appreciate the fact that the TO was granted.

When I was coaching the first year Fed rules allowed coaches to call a timeout, I had the 7th ranked team in the province. I was playing the 4th ranked team and we were neck and neck in the last 2 minutes of the game. On this one possession, my girls were having trouble getting across half-court. Because I have the officiating background, I was looking to count the number of arm swipes to know if I wanted to use a timeout. He never had one. When I requested a timeout, he called 10 seconds instead. There was less than 10 seconds that came off the clock between when the count should have started and the whistle. If you're of the mind that this doesn't have an impact, then you're flat out wrong.

An official's mistake should never cause a turnover. It should also never cause the inability to make a coaching decision.

If EH missed the visible count, he was in error. (No big deal there, a perfect game is near impossible.) But like I said, I appreciate the timeout being granted.

I wonder what the shot clock said? If there was a tip on the throw in the game clock could have started before the shot clock and the 10 second count. I suspect if the shot clock said 24 then someone <s>would</s> should have said something.

Anyway, interesting post.

Your quote brought a smile to my face. I attended an IAABO Camp this past summer. The instructors were discussing mechanics and made it a point to tell us not to watch a D1 official's mechanics. They stated that their mechanics, on the way up, were very sharp. When they reach the top, some of them slack off. The comment was not meant as overly critical, just factual.

Shot clock AND game clock start on any touch/tip on a throw-in! So, the shot clock could say 24 and EH could still be right!

I was told the very same thing the last two summers at a camp run by a D1 official. I was even told to stop doing a mechanic that another famous D1 official does on a regular basis. I was getting ahead of the dribbler in the backcourt and I was told not to do what this official does on a regular basis when you see him on TV.

Peace

Yeah, you're right. I didn't word that too well (too busy being clever with the <s>strikethrough</s> tag. :o )

I can imagine who this is. The one I always see WAY ahead of the dribbler is Higgins.

I plead the 5th. :D

Peace

Nope - shot clock starts running when the game clock starts on an inbounds play under NCAA rules (team control begins when the player has the ball for the throw-in).

Well if you are asking for MS, JV, and Var level ball then I say YES! Visible counts should be occurring in ALL applicable situations: inbounds, backcourt, closely guarded, and 3-seconds. Coach already gave a great example, too. It helps your partners out as well IMO. Especially in a very loud gym.

Well if you are asking for MS, JV, and Var level ball then I say YES! Visible counts should be occurring in ALL applicable situations: inbounds, backcourt, closely guarded, and 3-seconds. Coach already gave a great example, too. It helps your partners out as well IMO. Especially in a very loud gym.

[/B][/QUOTE]

Visible...............3 seconds?

A 3-second count is NEVER visible at ANY level.

Since we are talking about D-1 officials and their mechanics, as compared to NFHS, I have a few observations.

I'm trying very hard to watch as many 3-whistle games as I can, as we are using the 3-whistle mechanics at our state tournaments this year in WA state.

I have to say though...that if I officiated a game using some of the D-1 mechanics I see on television...I most assuredly will be watching the championship game and not working it.

This is not to say that the D-1 officials are using improper mechanics...it is just that they seem to have more leeway to incorprate more of their personality while officiating. It also seems that "the powers above" care more about a well called and managed game than standardized mechanics. (Some might use the word "robotic")

Oh yeah...those observations:
* Both T and C mark a 3-point attempt. You do that in NFHS and an observer might ask you, "why are both of you looking at the same thing?" In NFHS we mirror the touchdown signal, as a T or C, but do not mark the shot together.

* As previously stated...I've seen many D-1 officials not give a Backcourt count. A no-no in NFHS.

* I have seen Lead officials not "chop" in the time when administering a throw-in at the endline. Also, sometimes no 5 second count on a throw-in.

* After a called foul the official will "walk and talk". Again, a no-no in NFHS...they want us to go to the reporting area, stop and give the signals.

* After a called foul the D-1 official may or may not give a preliminary as to what type of foul was called. In NFHS they want us to "tell a story"...fist up, bird dog optional, give foul signal, say number and color of offending player, give number of player fouled to partners, show where ball will be taken OOB if no FT's.

* Of course you see many D-1 officials giving non-prescribed foul signals...slapping their head, tugging their shirt, throwing a leg out, etc.

* Positioning of T and C varies quite a bit from what I have observed. Many times I have seen two T's and/or the C staying at the top of the key extended. The D-1 officials may feel they can get a better angle...but we are told not to have two T's if we can help it. Two C's are not as bad, but we are instructed to rotate as soon as possible.

Maybe some of you have more to share.

Having stated these...I will say that some of the different mechanics used by D-1 officials actually look smoother to me, but again, will get you in trouble with a NFHS observer, IMO.

Haven't seen much high school ball lately - is this still pretty well enforced by assignors? The few HS camps I've attended (okay - same camp, attended twice :p) have said to not do the whole nine yards. That said, most of the evaluators were NCAA officials . . .

Pretty much...the number, color and player information is usually slacked off on, but the fist, foul prelim, and the spot or FT signal is wanted.
Let me edit this...the number and color of the offending player is of course wanted...but can wait untill we report the information in the reporting area.

[Edited by RookieDude on Jan 30th, 2005 at 11:26 PM]

Around these parts it's a fist and then either a point to the OOB spot or fingers to signal a foul in the act of shooting.

I've found myself picking up on a few mechanics that aren't prescribed NFHS mechanics. The reasoning for this is that I spent some time as an official scorer for some games where NCAA officials would work, and I found their signals to be a lot more useful than NFHS mechanics.

Is the NFHS evaluator going to like it? Maybe not. Do I care? Not really. I've got a good amount of friends that do state tournaments, and NCAA ball. They've all said that the important thing is positioning and game management. Using only prescribed signals doesn't give you any bonus points.

I think the official's manual serves simply as a tool. Once you know that the C is supposed to position himself at the FT line extended, you can break it. It's important to know the rules before you break them. I feel comfortable as C closer to the top of the key extended. Given the choice of being in the proper position per the book, and being in the place where I feel comfortable and where I have the best angle--I'd take the latter. Too often we get so concerned about where the book tells us to go and what the book tells us to do, we forget our first duty--to call the game fairly.

Also, the five prescribed signals are nice... but we all know using common sense not everything is a push/block/ill. use of hands/reach/player control. I think it helps communicate with the coaches when we use the signal--beyond reason--that the player did.

If I can ask, where do you scorekeep?

I must say, doing so at the D-I level is where I've picked up 99% of my mechanics that would be considered "bad form" in NFHS.

I think the problem that we have is picking up bad mechanics. When some people do CYO or Rec League games they tend to slack off and use shortcuts. If you have been watching D1 Officials, you may notice that they have slacked off on some mechanics. You can bet your bottom dollar however, that on the way up thier mechanics were superlative.

As far as the NFHS Evaluator not liking your mechanics (and you not caring), I think you are failing to think about your partner. Prescribed mechanics and signals are there to ensure proper communication between officials, coaches, players and fans. Unauthorized signals may lend to confusion. If you are using an unauthorized signal to better communicate with a coach, fine. I too have ocassionaly extended an elbow to address what the exact violation was. The problem comes when all of your signals are not the approved signals. Some officials use signals that draw attention to themselves.

As far as the positioning on the court is concerned, I believe the book serves as a guide to ensure proper coverage. There is nothing in the book that says you shouldn't move to maintain a good angle. Do you prescribe to the primary coverage areas designated in the book or do you have your own take on that? I'm not trying to be funny. Only bringing out a point in how far do we sway from the prescribed methods!