I'm watching the WVU v. T Tech game, and I just saw the official do the coolest count. It was vertical as opposed to horizontal. It looked awesome.

Good stuff

mechanic
 

And I hope to goodness that no one would do this in a High School Federation game.

Re: mechanic
 

I've got a double header on Saturday, I think this mechanic is gonna get some exposure :D

I didn't notice this but the vertical count sounds like the woman's mechanic.

Or maybe he was getting close to 5 & wanted to emphasise the count?

THis wasn't a 5-second count, it was the back-court count. I've seen some officials do some pretty interesting things for the 5 second counts, but never anything like this for the backcourt count. It was cool.

I gotta check it out, was he just flicking his wrist out? If its who I think ti is then ewww.

He was moving his whole forearm, just instead of moving his arm horizontally he moved it vertically.

Dick Cartmell, D-1 official, told a buddy of mine that he doesn't like the high counts.
Some say it looks like a "Hitler" salute...just make your count look natural and comfortable...IMO.

IMHO, it looks terrible.

Z

A couple of the REALLY OLD guys in my local HS association count this way. I always thought it was taught to them that way a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.

I don't like it. Times change.

This goes to bringing attention to oneself.
Is it OK to have a little flair and do things that aren't necessarily the proper mechanic but are in full agreement with your personality or is it better for the game if we are robots and all do the same mechanics?
Do we all struggle with this? I know I do. I am one who tends to lean toward the personality/flair side because it fits my personality. However, it does bring some additional attention to me. I believe I handle it just fine though.
This is all said about being on a high school. I am way more of a robot on a college floor!(Don't know exactly why)
Any thoughts?
AAR

Tim Higgins used to count this way all the time. And I also did this back in the 80s when counting the 10 second in the backcourt count.

But times change....

No, wasn't like the women's mechanic - that starts at hip and goes up and out...this was - as someone said - more of a tomahawk chop downwards...looked goofy. He also did it as C when free throw shooter had the ball - that looked really goofy!

So, the moral to the story, ref18, is to keep it in your bag of tricks but don't use it when someone that matters is watching.

But you do get points for bringing something interesting and different to the board. Thanks!

As with anything else I see at the D1 level :D

You're welcome :)

Mine too..

I hate the Hitler Salute mechanic and there are a few old timers working the courts whom have this technique down.

For me, a simple lateral arm movement on the bench side is more than adequate.

Let's make this really interesting; 2 finger count or do you use the entire flat hand style.

I use a count for all situations where I extend my right arm straight out from my body, then bend it at the elbow to bring my hand up to smack the side of my head.

I've done it this way for a lot of years and it seems to work fine fine fine fine fine

Wow. Interesting to read that so many people liked it. I thought it looked really awkward. I like flair when it looks natural, but his motion was so forceful, not at all fluid.

It all depends, usually I use 2 fingers, but sometimes I get the whole hand in there.

I'm a two finger guy myself, what about you?

I use the whole flat hand.

I didn't see the count in question, but as far as bringing attention to yourself with a counting mechanic, nothing beats the Hitler salute. When you've got a routine play with somebody bringing the ball up the floor uncontested and you've got the full arm swing going, that's hardly subtle.

I keep trying to break the two-finger habit, but it just feels better to do it that way.