Officiating

[JeffRef]

Originally posted by Richard Ogg
I've heard that in division I college the officials are charted by the better teams. They know the tendencies for each official -- how tight they are on hand checks, contact in the paint, etc. Once they know the officials for a game, they adjust their game plan accordingly. I understood that they do know the officials in advance.

If college does that you can bet the pros would too. Good reason to keep it private. Good teams will still adjust during the pregame, but it is a bit more difficult to gain a large advantage.

D1 officials are very careful with their words and gestures. They know they are being videotaped and that some coaches watch the tapes trying to read officials. Most show no facial expression, remain gestureless, and cover their mouths during a verbal exchange.

I always wondered why the "thinker" pose was so popular with officials. Now I know...it allows them to look interested in the conversion and hide their mouth so nobody can read what they are saying.