Bringing in a Sub after free throws.

[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.