Bringing in a Sub after free throws.

[bgtg19]

By rule, we are supposed to sound the whistle to indicate the start of play. I brought this to the attention of my local officials association and the association basically took a vote that, in the area where I live, we will NOT sound the whistle before a free throw (but we will continue to do so prior to a throw in).

Although I think it's a little odd that an officials association would just decide to ignore a rule, I'm not going to make this *my* issue. The point of sounding the whistle prior to resuming play is to get everyone's attention and let them know things are starting back up. You can accomplish this prior to a free throw by stepping into the lane and announcing how many free throws will be shot and then bouncing the ball to the thrower.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by bgtg19

By rule, we are supposed to sound the whistle to indicate the start of play. I brought this to the attention of my local officials association and the association basically took a vote that, in the area where I live, we will NOT sound the whistle before a free throw (but we will continue to do so prior to a throw in).

Although I think it's a little odd that an officials association would just decide to ignore a rule, I'm not going to make this *my* issue. The point of sounding the whistle prior to resuming play is to get everyone's attention and let them know things are starting back up. You can accomplish this prior to a free throw by stepping into the lane and announcing how many free throws will be shot and then bouncing the ball to the thrower.

In all my years of officiating, I cannot think of one time I have ever officiated a basketball game where an official blew their whistle before a FT after a timeout. I have never seen that happen or known anyone to advocate doing such a thing.

Also, this is not a rule; it is a mechanic in the NF book. Mechanics can always be changed, ignored or modified by local associations and state organizations. You can look for examples of this all over the country according to Mary Struckoff and there is no penalty for anyone to change a mechanic for their officials. I have never heard anyone at any camp I have ever attended admonish someone over blowing the whistle at this time.

Peace

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Also, this is not a rule; it is a mechanic in the NF book. Mechanics can always be changed, ignored or modified by local associations and state organizations. You can look for examples of this all over the country according to Mary Struckoff and there is no penalty for anyone to change a mechanic for their officials. I have never heard anyone at any camp I have ever attended admonish someone over blowing the whistle at this time.

Peace

You are correct in that this is "only" a mechanic. But you are aware the IHSA wants their officials to use all the prescribed Fed. mechanics, and they have made it clear that post-season assignments can be affected by the use or non-use of the prescribed mechanics.

Now, that said, I hope they don't keep officials from doing the post-season just because they don't blow the whistle in this particular instance. And, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that doesn't blow the whistle in this case as well. But it does appear that the Fed. wants it blown at the start of a FT, after a TO.

Anyone else blow the whistle in this case? Or not? (Uh oh, I feel a poll coming on...)

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

You are correct in that this is "only" a mechanic. But you are aware the IHSA wants their officials to use all the prescribed Fed. mechanics, and they have made it clear that post-season assignments can be affected by the use or non-use of the prescribed mechanics.

Now, that said, I hope they don't keep officials from doing the post-season just because they don't blow the whistle in this particular instance. And, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one that doesn't blow the whistle in this case as well. But it does appear that the Fed. wants it blown at the start of a FT, after a TO.

Anyone else blow the whistle in this case? Or not? (Uh oh, I feel a poll coming on...)

M&M, that is not true. We use a lot of mechanics that are not listed in the book or are modified. For example the how we administer the ball on the end line is different than what it says in the NF Official's Manual. Also when the NF could not decide for a few years whether to long switch or not to long switch, we were doing a completely different mechanic for that 2 or 3 year stretch.

I also go to the camp of our Head Clinician every year. He openly tells people that his way is the way the IHSA is doing things. And openly talks about how many clinicians across the state are teaching mechanics that are not the "correct way."

Peace

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

M&M, that is not true. We use a lot of mechanics that are not listed in the book or are modified. For example the how we administer the ball on the end line is different than what it says in the NF Official's Manual. Also when the NF could not decide for a few years whether to long switch or not to long switch, we were doing a completely different mechanic for that 2 or 3 year stretch.

I also go to the camp of our Head Clinician every year. He openly tells people that his way is the way the IHSA is doing things. And openly talks about how many clinicians across the state are teaching mechanics that are not the "correct way."

Peace

Ok, now I'm confused - you say there are a "lot of mechanics that are not listed in the book or are modified". Besides the endline positioning, what other mechanics are being taught by the IHSA clinicians that are not in the Fed. manual? The reason I'm asking is we have had both Kurt Gibson and Beth Sauser of the IHSA speak at our association meetings, at separate times, and they have specifically said they want all the prescribed Fed. mechanics used. They also said if they observe an official not use the prescribed mechanics, it could hurt their chances to appear or advance in the post-season.

I just wonder if there are some clinicians that feel "their way" is better than what the Fed. prescribes. But doesn't that defeat the purpose of having a uniform way of doing things? Ok, maybe there's some merit to doing things differently - for example, I did like the "no long switches" mechanic from college. But since I was doing HS, I settled for doing it the way the Fed. prescribed (grumbling every time I did it, of course), because that was the way other HS officials who I worked with did it. I was glad when the Fed. finally changed it, but until they did, I followed what they said.

I will agree with your statment on many clinicians not teaching the proper mechanics. I have even personally seen state final-level officials, who are also clinicians, teach that "flexing" isn't all that important.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Ok, now I'm confused - you say there are a "lot of mechanics that are not listed in the book or are modified". Besides the endline positioning, what other mechanics are being taught by the IHSA clinicians that are not in the Fed. manual? The reason I'm asking is we have had both Kurt Gibson and Beth Sauser of the IHSA speak at our association meetings, at separate times, and they have specifically said they want all the prescribed Fed. mechanics used. They also said if they observe an official not use the prescribed mechanics, it could hurt their chances to appear or advance in the post-season.

I am not saying we do not use most NF Mechanics, I am telling you there are things we use that are not "by the letter or book" NF mechanics. And from year to year the clinicians get together and come up with things that need to be done better. That brings changes like not bouncing the ball on the end line. That specific mechanic has been used for at least 4 years or so and Harry Bohn was adamant that you do not bounce the ball on the end line, because officials were going up court before the ball was in place. I also described the long switch situation that changed and the NF was going back and forth as to what to do. Beth and Kurt run their respective sports, but Harry has a lot of say as to what mechanics are used. I know Kurt pretty much goes along with what Harry states or makes a mechanic. I can also speak as a multiple sport official in football and baseball and we use a lot of mechanics that are only found on the PowerPoint Presentation with mechanics.

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

I just wonder if there are some clinicians that feel "their way" is better than what the Fed. prescribes. But doesn't that defeat the purpose of having a uniform way of doing things? Ok, maybe there's some merit to doing things differently - for example, I did like the "no long switches" mechanic from college. But since I was doing HS, I settled for doing it the way the Fed. prescribed (grumbling every time I did it, of course), because that was the way other HS officials who I worked with did it. I was glad when the Fed. finally changed it, but until they did, I followed what they said.

Well if it did not come from Harry Bohn, then I might just agree with you. When I heard of these mechanics, Harry was the one actually teaching them. Harry also lives right in my back yard. I also work HS games for him and have for about 3 or 4 years. In my area officials and clinicians refer to Harry in almost God like ways when talking about mechanics and philsophy. I cannot speak for other parts of the state, but around here he has great influence and when we talk to Kurt and Beth they reference him when it comes to mechanics. Also in basketball we do not deviate from massive aspects of NF mechanics because most of the mechanics are solid and consistent with other levels in many areas.

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

I will agree with your statment on many clinicians not teaching the proper mechanics. I have even personally seen state final-level officials, who are also clinicians, teach that "flexing" isn't all that important.

All I can tell you is every camp Harry runs or when he speaks at meetings, he always seems to reference "What I am telling is the way we are doing this in Illinois." I have also in conversations I have had with him (not just one on one, but at a social or bar somewhere on many occasions). I would not say this if I have not heard directly from the mouths of Harry and other Clinicians about this topic. Also understand Harry picks the clinicians and he can get rid of clinicians as well. So a guy teaching their own thing might not be around if the word gets out.

Peace

[M&M Guy]

Poor Derrick - I think we've hijacked his thread slightly. I hope he's learning a little about mechanics anyway.

I've heard about Harry, but I've never had the pleasure of meeting him. But the comments about doing a mechanic different than the Fed. mechanic shows my point. He feels not bouncing the ball along the endline in the backcourt is important because officials aren't staying back. Valid point, but instead of teaching a different mechanic to the officials, how about just teaching them to stay back? How do we, outside the Chicago area, find out about this if we don't attend a camp where he is the clinician? Is there an "Illinois Mechanics Differences" booklet or paper somewhere? If I get the chance to do a game up in the suburbs sometime, and he happens to watch the game, would I get critiqued for not doing the way he teaches it in Illinois?

Granted, this is a relatively minor mechanic we're talking about. But it does kind of illustrate my point about doing things differently, even within the same state. With the state requirement on only attending a clinic once every 3 years, it could be a while before a mechanic difference shows up all over the state. That doesn't even address philosophy differences, such as how a game will be called on the south side of Chicago, vs. a game in the west central part of the state. Doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of trying to be uniform, and giving the kids a consistantly-called game, no matter where they go?

No easy answers, just thoughts running around my head. Obviously, if Harry tells you to do this, and you work for him, that is what you will do. But it just seems like Harry is doing what IAABO does, and each different state does, that is decide they like to do things a little differently than the Fed. It would be nice if we could all do it the same. I know, and I wish the Cubs would win a World Series in my lifetime as well...