I called a violation for leaving the court and returning to gain advantage tonight.

I'm lead (three-man). I've just given the ball to black (in blacks front court) for the throw-in. There is the usual jumble of players moving around when one of black steps off the court to go around a screen.

I blow my whistle, announce the violation verbally, point to the other end of the court, and point to the throw-in spot. Meanwhile, I see my partner in C and the coach a bit confused over by black's bench.

I found out later neither were sure what I called. We have a signal for travel, over-and-back, etc. Would be nice to have one for this call.

Rita

#25 on the signal chart.

You're right, maybe it should be one of those violations, like basket interference, that gets reported to the table verbally.

I agree with blindzebra on #25 followed by #6.
I don't want to nit-pick, but what's the signal for "Over the Back" as you mentioned. NFHS has no signal specifically for that foul. It is simply a PUSH!!!

She said "over-AND-back" not "over THE back."

In my experience, if you call the violation while the player is still OOB and use your voice: tweet - "15 is OOB .. white" - point; then the confusion will be minimized.

The whistle will cause the coach to look at you and s/he'll see the player involved.

I humbly apologize. Thanks for correcting me Bob.

Rita --

I agree that there should be a signal. I don't have a problem with lumping all the fouls into 3 or 4 signals, because when one reports a foul, one also gets everyone's attention and also tells who did it. With violations, it's not always very clear what the heck just happened, and I think we need more "sign language" to help communicate.

There are several other signals I'd like to have, such as

* "You idiot fans need to just sit down and shut up. You're embarassing your daughters."

* (to partner) "I need you to get ball-side, NOW!"

* (to coach) "I know you are, but what am I?"

and

* (to a really bad player, who's trying hard and not accomplishing anything useful) "You're playing a lot better than last week. Keep up the great work!"

Well lessee...off the top of my head I count 5: push/charge, player/team control, hold, hack, T.

What else might we need?

I particularly like that one!

Leaving the court is just like stepping on the court during a throw in - You just have to verbalize it while pointing to the line. Called it this weekend and the coach gave me the confused dog look (tilted head, mouth slightly open, eyes wide open)

There's push, hold, block, hack, T.

As five categories, that's fine. the "unapproved" signals that we give to describe the action to the coach are useful.

My point would be, what's the "unofficial" signal to tell the coach that the player just stepped out of bounds illegally, and what's the mechanic for stepping around the players so the caoch can see the unofficial signal? pointing down to the line makes the official even harder to see, and there are several very different things that might be indicated by that signal. It would be nice to have a motion or two to indicate to the coaches and the crowd what's happnin...

I understand what you're saying about needing more violation signals but you seemed originally to want more than the 7 foul signals we have now (left off block, just realize I forgot intentional. Here are the 7 again: push/charge, player/team control, hold, block, hack, T, intentional.)

Sorry guys - 9 types of fouls
 

I see 9 different fouls in the rule book.

1. Illegal use of hands
2. Hand Check
3. Holding
4. Blocking
5. Push/Shove
6. Player Control
7. Intentional
8. Double Foul
9. Technical Foul

Copied straight from the "NFHS Rule Book"

Something to think about.
 

You do not need a signal for something that many of us have never called for yet.

Peace

Re: Sorry guys - 9 types of fouls
 

Good catch, forgot the doubles.

Speaking of fouls and reporting...

What do officials in your area usually SAY when reporting an "illegal use of the hands" foul?

Do they say "hack", "with the hand", "right here", "illegal hand", nothing?

I say nothing, if I were to say something I would probably say "hit." But I figure keep my mouth shut and stay out of trouble.

Don't forget the inimitable hand check.

I've often thought that the foul signals are a motley collection. You've got a few that reflect the nature of the foul: hold, push, hack and hand check. Then you've got a few that denote the type of foul: player control, double, technical and intentional. There are some natures that would gain some additional clarity from a signal: tripping, hooking, pushing off, hit to the head. There are some missing types: flagrant, team control (I could add simultaneous and multiple, but that would just encourage people to call them). But it's a part of our history and culture.

This new violation would benefit from a signal. So would lane violations.

I hear "hack" and "hit" and "on the arm" quite a bit. But I'm in the silence category.

I do not say anything at all. The signals speak for themselves. The only time I might actually say something is when I call a PC foul ("Player-Control Foul").

Peace

Just a simple "Hands" and appropriate visual signal.

It depends, for IUOH I've said, "Got'em in the head, hit, and got the elbow."

For a hold I've used, "Hold, grab or pull."

For an illegal screen that is going to be signaled either a block or push, I always say, "Illegal screen," at the spot before I report the block or push.

And just for MTD, on a PC I say, "Offense," at the spot.

Use the correct signals, but there is nothing wrong with mixing things up and being descriptive when you vocalize.

Doesn't that mean a hand check?;)

#6 and #25 don't really communicate the violation very well. They only let everyone know I called SOMETHING.

Rita

I think there are signs for those, just not any we can use on the court.

Rita

That's what that booming voice of yours is for.:)

Whistle, signal #1 with a simple, "You left the floor #23...giving signal #25...red ball," with signal #6.

Most often, a simultaneous foul will be such that two different officials each called an foul at approximately the same time (perhaps in completely different areas of the court). Most often, I would expect (and have had it occur) on a long range shot where the shooter is foul while, at the same time, a post player commits a foul while trying to get a rebounding position. I've not had it happen more than a couple of times through the years but it has happened.

I once had a partner for baseball who said he had trouble telling my strike call from the bird sounds.

Rita

A signal I and many of my partners use often, although it is not in the book, is indicating a two point goal when the shooter is close to the line. I will raise two fingers about arm chest level to the table and my partner so they do not get confused. Had it happen last night. A1 had her left foot on the line. I was table side so as I went by the table I showed two fingers and said "that was a two". Team A coach also saw my signal and, although she may not have agreed with the call, she understood what I saw and made no argument about it other than saying "I thought it was a three". This mechanic is not in the book but a lot of officials I see use it and it seems to work on those close three point attempts.

I do the same thing as the previous post, 2 fingers real low, extended out towards the table. At the very least, besides helping the table crew, it tells the coaches that you are paying attention and that you saw the position of the shooter's feet before the attempt. Promotes game management.