Anyone have a good list of items to be covered at your pre-game crew meetings? I have one of those little magnetic floor diagrams with a checklist on the back, but I'm sure the experience level on this board would add a good number more items to that list. Hope this post doesn't launch an avalanche of posts...but I'm anxious to see the responses.

I carry my topics for discussion on a laminated card that fits in my wallet. I will add line items as neeeded during the season,

New rules
Communication after whistles
Double whistles
Switch on all fouls
Technical fouls, 5th Foul
Lead inbounds below free throw line
Free throw line violations
Timeout spots, warning, location
Shot clock violations, starting, operator errors
Made basket & fouls
Throw-in Mechanics
OB on opposite side/Help
3 Point goal & signals
Zone coverage
Press situations
Jump balls/Held balls
Basket interference
End of quarter clocks
Block/Charge NO BLARGE
3 Seconds
Bench, coach decorum & box
Cover each other with coach
Speed of play

These are just reminders to spark conversation between my partner & I.

Pregame Card
 

Referee And Umpire
- Captains At Five
- Coaches At Two: Equipment, Uniforms, Sportsmanship
Rule Changes
- Contrasting Colored Lines Deleted
- Home Team White 2007-08
- Intentional Kick Rule Expanded
- Obstructing Opponent’s Vision Rule Expanded
- Players Ejected For Leaving Bench If Fight May Occur
- Continuous Motion Clarification Applies To Nonshooters
- Blood Or Injury Clarification: Different Teams, Two Time Outs
- Running End Line Clarification
Points Of Emphasis
- Closely Guarded
- Time Out Administration: Coaches Calling, Player Control
- Player Positioning Status: Players On The Court, Legal Guarding Position On Sideline Or Endline
- Specific Unsporting Acts: Face Guarding, Flopping, Inappropriate Language
Mechanics Changes
- Illegal Use Of Hand Fist Signal
- New IAABO Manual: Time Out, Intermission Positions, Sideline And Endline
Responsibilities
Alternating Possession
- Start Of Game
- Pocket Whistle, Halftime
Fouls
- Double Whistle
- Free Throw Shooter
Out Of Bounds
- Question
- Get It Right
Throw In
- Eye Contact
- Watch Time Signal
Court Coverage
- Primary Coverage Areas
- Get It Right
- Press Coverage
Special Ground Rules
- Prep School: Boys Or Girls Rules
- Court Features
Style Of Play
- Coaches
- Team Rivalry

[Edited by BillyMac on Oct 6th, 2005 at 10:19 AM]

Good lists, but you forgot at which watering hole the postgame conference will take place.

I don't know how it is for other people, but for me, pre-game meetings are all different. I won't have the same pre-game meeting at the end of a season that I have at the beginning. It won't be the same with partners that I've worked with many times, vs. first-time partners. It certainly won't be the same meeting before a MS game vs. a college game.

For me, a pre-game is extemely important in getting ready for THAT game. Having a good list is a good starting point, but I have seen people cover shot clocks before a MS game, just because they're just following that list. Cover what you need to for THAT game. Are you working with a rookie? Maybe you need to cover some of the basics, like court coverages, that you wouldn't need to go over with veteran partners. Is this a rivalry game? Maybe we need to be on our toes from the beginning - watch for taunting during warm-ups. What types of offenses do the teams run? If one team likes to use skip passes, maybe we don't need to rotate as often. I'm sure there are many more examples. Just be careful not to just blindly follow a list, and think that makes a good pre-game.

M&M Guy,
I do not disagree.
However, going through a set list can provide stimulants for further discussion and anecdotal situations. By using such a foundation, the process of mentally preparing for a game is expedited and focused.
A set pre-game list is a good tool regardless of the content. ;)
mick

You brought up another good point about further discussion. A good pre-game is not a one-way speech, but a discussion between you and your partners. Making sure everyone is involved is a good step towards insuring everyone's involved in the game.

You know, last night was the first time I actually had a craving for pea soup and Linda Blair movies. Do you think there's any connection between that and my "666" posts?

Agree with Mick. A list makes you thorough and prepared. Just because you have it on the list doesn't mean you have to address it before every game. If I go by memory, I will sure to forget something that should have been addressed for the particular contest.

I also agree that the pregame conference shouldn't be a lecture from the referee. The referee may lead the discussion, but he/she should make the other officials comfortable with contributing to the meeting and even draw some things out from a "quiet" official if they aren't participating.

Z

I don't use a list myself, as much as I hate to agree with a Chicago fan I think 2M has it exactly right. Discuss the game at hand, discuss any tricky situations you might have recently encountered, discuss how to handle unusual situations, if you don't know the crew get on the same page with respect foul calls, put your jackets on & go wait on the sideline.

Sparky,
That surprises me for the levels that you work.
The most complete pregames I've had are before the few upperish level games I have worked.
The higher the level the more intense the pre-game.
mick

Kinda surprises me too. My D-1 friend says that after all three officials are completely dressed, they sit down in the locker room and do an uninterrupted pregame that often lasts an hour. He has a typed written list that he refers to when he is the R.

Z

I didn't say the pregames are not complete & intense.

I just said I don't use a list.

I have used a pregame list before, but usually only when working with people I don't usually work with. When working with officials I've worked with quite a bit, it's usually discuss the game at hand and find out how things have been going outside of basketball. If there did happen to be something we screwed up in a previous game, going over it agin usually happens.

Using Artie's CD instead? :) Just got one last week. Haven't even gotten through it yet.

Had mine a coupla years now.

It's been fun watching the bickering going on, especially since we all essentially agree. Imagine if we didn't... ;)

Anyway, I guess the point I was trying to make, probably directed more at the newbies, is to not get locked into a list. Yes, mick, a list is a great place to start. But the lists might be different between a D-1 game and a freshman girls game. And, by extension, the pre-game will be different between those games as well. I have had a (well-meaning) partner before an 8th grade game go over a list on the back of a game board, which included who should call shot clock violations. Huh? To me, my partner was not getting ready for THAT game, he was just trying to go through the motions, which included going through the motions of the pre-game list. Each game is different, therefore, each pre-game will be different as well. A list is a good place to start, but THAT game is what's important, and the pre-game discussion should reflect it. Maybe it involves having two or three different lists, depending on the level of game you're working? Or, no list at all? That's an individual choice, I guess.

So, what CD are y'all talkin' about?

Regardless of the opinions, this is GREAT info gentlemen. Thanks for the input. Exactly what I was hoping for!

Oh, oh. Are you saying this forum is a great resource?

Shhhh...don't let it get out. You'll ruin our reputation.

What gets me is driving an hour & a half to a game through a snow storm in the first week of February & someone wants to discuss rules changes or where we should be standing during time outs. Going through a list puts the pregame process on auto-pilot IMO, and the people listening to the list tend to just nod their heads saying "yep...yep...yep...".

btw...I don't know what he's talking about either, I was just nodding my head going "...yep...yep...yep...".

Whether or not you use a list, what is important is that you talk about the things that allow you to officiate your best. Another thing, no two pregames are the same. They are usually specific to the R for that given night and are affected by, the crew, the teams, the time of year, etc. So if you are the R, U1, or U2 it is important to mention those things that help you be effective.

I have been involved in pregames when the R just dictates his expectations of the crew and that is it. If they don't cover something you would like to, then bring it up. If someone isn't interested, review it with the other official. If that doesn't work, a little personal pregame can help.

This IS how it seems to be, but sometimes it's frustrating for me. When I'm U (two-whistle) and the R wants to pre-game about something that happened last week, or whether the Sox or the Cubs are gonna win the Super Bowl, I feel cheated. THen when a sitch comes up in the game, I want to say, "Hey if we'd talked about this ahead of time, this wouldn't be happening now!" So what can a U do, when the R doesn't take the lead appropriately in the pre-game?

PS, icallfouls, how was your summer? Do you want to work for me this month? Two-whistle training?

"Yeah, the Cub Sox have a good shot at the Stanley Cup this year unless their head corn-popper gets injured...btw...how are we going to handle block/charge in the paint tonight?"

When dealing with a fellow referee that isn't quite giving 100% in the pre-game, it is sometimes helpful to phrase your questions in a way such that it appears that you are looking for advice. For example, "what would you have done in this situation that happened to me?" Or maybe ask for an interpretation, you know how much referees like to sound like know it alls.

Additionally, if I have never worked with a crew or crew member, I suggest that we meet a couple of minutes earlier than usual. I flat out tell them that I need the extra time to get game ready. I have yet to be refused or have a crew be late.

Rainmaker, email me your dates. Summer was good, I was on the radar for a couple of D1 opportunities, maybe next year.

I got mine this summer at camp. Haven't made it all the way thru it. Interesting stuff though

This has happened to me as well, and I've felt uncomfortable trying to tell the (usually) more veteran partner we need to talk about a few game items. Dan and icallfouls have good suggestions about trying to steer the conversation back to the pre-game. Don't be afraid to ask questions. I've been told if I don't ask the questions, then it's just as much my fault if we don't have an adequate pre-game. Of course, if you're the veteran, you can take charge even if you aren't the R.

Fortunately, the higher level the game, the more the supervisors want, and require, a good pre-game. I have one supervisor that tells us if he hears that a crew didn't have a pre-game, that entire crew might lose their next assignment.