Ref Signal - #2
 

Lately I've observed in NCAA/NIT games a Lead will point in the other direction after a made basket, any idea what mechanic this is? Is this an old mechanic that a relatively new guy such as myself wouldn't know about? I've seen it before but never inquired about it.

Seems as though its used mostly when there might, could, would, should of possibly been something called and instead they point the other way, almost in a "nothing to see, move along" the other way type of signal. This is purely conjecture on my part.

Thoughts?

This seems to be an old-school mechanic. I have only seen it used at the college level. I frequently see it when a team scores a goal. The new Trail will point in the direction of the team now entitled to the end line throw-in.

I know of nothing in any current manual that says to do such. One of the NCAA guys will be along shortly to shed more light on this.

It seems to be a confrence thing. The guys from the ACC do it. Also the SEC and a few others. The new trail always signals a two in front of him on a field goal. Out west I've never seen it.

Are you sure he's not getting ready to begin the 5-second count, and then signalling the shot clock (and game clock in the last minute of the game) to start?

Yup, they do it right as the ball goes through the hoop. Their arm goes straight out w/ two fingers extended.

No, Bob, that's not it. I know what he's talking about, although I don't think it's a conference thing. It's more like an indication that possession has officially changed and we're going "that way" now. I think it's probably a long lost leftover mechanic. It just looks silly to me.

I remember when I started that the old trail/new lead had to signal the baskets to the scorers table. Talk about stupid mechanics....

It's tough to say that certain mechanics are conference based when so many D1 guys are working multiple conferences.

I see older, established refs make this "signal" all the time. Tim Higgins and Jim Burr use it every time they are the new Trail. I haven't noticed other guys using it, but I'm sure there are plenty.

I saw Donnee Gray use it this past weekend. I notice some NBA do it from time-to-time, usually after a made basket that involved some contact.

i use
 

it now and then if something happens and a player wants to argue a block/charge no call or contact just to remind him that play is going the other way.

I use it for the same reason even on plays where there is a good amount of contact an the ball doesn't go in.

This sounds clearly like the official is "counting the basket" by indicating how many points are scored. This mechanic was eliminated a year before I started officiating and I remember guys using this the first year I worked basketball. It is not a conference thing, it is just something officials that have been around a long time have been doing and did not ever change. It really is not a big deal; I can just tell who has been working games longer than I have when I see the signal.

Peace

this is still the mechanic in FIBA. Funny, but I've never thought of it as being stupid. Why do you say that it is?

Would the players, fans, coaches and the table know that a basket has been scored and we're going the other way if you didn't signal?

Of course they would. That's why it's stupid. :p

And no, it's not an ACC thing.

My first game back after a 26 year layoff I signaled the '2' to the table, in the 1st half. That's the way it was in pre-zebra shirt days.

Yeah, I see your point. But I figure there is no harm in doing the signal - although I wouldn't be surprised if FIBA changes this in the 2008 rule changes.

Hey, I'm lost...this is not football.

Just reading about the mechanic where the trail official appears to signal the opposite direction following a basket.

Back 33 years ago when I started that was a standard mechanic. Signal two fingers for a 2-pointer, 1 for a single free throw. Apparently, it is not done that way anymore and it did seem redundant.

NCAA-W - Maryland v. North Carolina (Sunday night I believe), all three officials did this after every made basket, and I have seen it 3-4 other times this season too. It is not a mechanic I can find in the book, and it is certainly not something that has been covered at camps the past couple years . . . so my assumption would be that it is something held over from years past. Just my take.

I signal 2 as a trail (and center) with some regularity, but only if the shooter was a foot or two inside the line. Just to give the table notice that we clearly had a 2 point shot so they don't have to wait that second or two more to realize it wasn't a three by waiting for the TD signal. I do it simply to 1) help the table (mainly clock) out, and 2) in case of the rare instance where the coach wants a 3 -- usually when the shot is on the other side of the floor from the bench. Almost always when I look to the table and give the signal, they are looking right at me waiting to see if I'm going to give the TD for a three.

I've done it at various camps and haven't yet been told not to.

TA:

I agree with and understand what you are saying (sometimes you HAVE to give the table something), but I think what the OP is talking about is on EVERY made basket, as the new trail is wathcing the throw-in, they will literally point to the opposite end of the floor (at least that is what I have seen), then drop their hand and begin the 5-second count for the throw-in. They did this on made lay-ups in the middle of the lane, and all the way to outside of the 3-pt. line. It looks wierd, but I'm not a D-I official, so what do I know. :D

My guess, without watching it, is that they are either:

1) in a habit of doing it becuase of the need to start the clock in the last minute of the game

2) beginning the 5-second count, but the ball is inbounded before the count even gets to one

3) "starting" the shot clock

Either way, not needed on every basket, but not a big deal, either.