I don't think leaving out the stop clock signal equates to an official having horrible signals. In fact, I know it doesn't. :D

I think the officials that look like weather vanes (using one arm to stop the clock while using the other one to point direction) are all the reason I need to say it isn't always necessary. They look like they are about to break into a YMCA routine!

in context
 

No you're correct, but my statement was about officials signals in general.

However, for new officials, I would always recommend, when in doubt use the signals.

Thanks
David

Always listen to your supervisors. If they want you to do the signal, you better use the signal. If you want to work for others and you are unsure what they think, use the signal. Unless you are told to not use the signal, I would use the signal. Supervisors are looking for any reason to say "why not" when it comes to not promoting officials. Why give them another reason to not give you a shot? A D1 official told me that the officials at that level do not do the same things they did as they were moving up the ranks. He also said that they are not going to fire he best officials in the country either because they do not use "perfect" mechanics. The choice should be an easy one if you are not working the D1 level on a regular basis.

Peace

There are so many more important things when it comes to signals. IMHO, there are officials who follow the manual perfectly and come off looking very weak/unconvincing. Also, some officials are as quiet as a church mouse when signaling, instead of riding the wave of loud to soft for effect. I don't have perfect/textbook mechanics but I do have great mechanics. Make sense? I work on strong mechanics enough in front of the mirror that I haven't heard anything about stopping the clock in some time.
Something else to think about when working with a young official is the fact that it looks best to use the same hand to stop the clock and point. And, this should be done with the proper hand so your body can remain facing the court. When an official doesn't use the stop-clock mechanic that allows another split second to use the proper hand. The same principles apply for calling a foul/using your "hammer." If you use the 'wrong' hand/arm an official's view is blocked. Not that I really think about mechanics much. :D

Want to throw my two cents into the discussion.

I got started in all this by working the table so this is my perspective. One thing the fed may be considering here is that in some gyms, depending on the play involved combined with the view you have inside a crackerbox (or a large gym that's packed) the hand may be your visual and ONLY queue to stop the clock because be damned if you're going to hear that wistle sometimes.

I never saw WTF in all the Bard that I have read.

I think either of these work:

Et tu, Brute?

What a piece of work is man!

;)

One monkey-33 seconds....
http://www.forumspile.com/WTF-Orangutan.jpg