Oak Hill--Norcross game on ESPN--calling all Georgia officials

[Huntin' Ref]

Yes, here in MN we would be "scolded" for not using NFHS mechanics as well. I think those officials did one heck of a job and the only people that noticed the variances in signals were the assignors, post-season graders, and us officials.

I have this problem doing a HS game the night after a college game for the first couple minutes until my partner gives me "the look"

[Raymond]

I'm not attempting to invalidate or validate anyone's point about the proper use of NFHS mechanics but...

These official were not beamed down from outer space to work this game. Do you really think this is the first time these officials did not use proper mechanics in a HS game? These officials were hand-picked for this assignment and the person(s) who hand-picked these officials had seen these officials work other HS games in which they didn't use proper NFHS mechanics.

Obviously NHFS mechanics were not high on the priority list in determining who should work this game.

Now, it's all together possible that someone in the NFHS head office may give a call down to Georgia's state office but let's not have this discussion as if the assignor(s) were not already aware of the mechanics employed by these officials.

[zebraman]

Obviously they are good officials. That is why they were chosen for a TV game. Getting the calls right is always the most important thing. How many of us can say that we haven't had our mechanics slide a little bit on a critical call in an intense, down-to-the-wire game when we were selling a call?

That being said, they really should try to use NFHS mechanics in a HS game and leave the college mechanics in the bag.
"Ref the game that is being played in the gym that night."

My first couple of college games, I had a lot of HS mechanics. By my third game of switching back-and-forth, I was able to "turn on" the appropriate set of mechanics. It's not that hard.

[Junker]

I was actually thinking along these lines last night. I worked my first college games of my career this season and I'm already noticing that my HS mechanics are not as sharp. I find myself getting sloppy with stopping the clock and sometimes even getting a fist in the air (this only happens when the play is clearly my call) and I just give the mechanic for the foul. On my way home from last night's JV game I decided that I have to go back to square one for a while and get my mechanics sharp again.

[JRutledge]

Guy, guys, guys, calm down for a second.

It is very clear to me that these officials are very capable to work this style of game. If you read what I had said earlier, I could not find many calls if any where I had a problem with. I did not watch every single minute, but what I saw they did a very good job.

If I had worked this game and used the specific mechanics these officials used and I had an evaluator sitting in the stands, the officials would have heard about not stopping the clock. I main camp that I attend every year is a camp run by the head clinician and rules interpreter in the state. He is all the time getting on officials for many things I saw during this game. Things like not stopping the clock and not coming to a stop when reporting a foul would be something he would mention if I was working a game and the evaluator had the opportunity to talk to us during halftime or after the game.

I will also confess that I have been doing some things not entirely on purpose that are not perfect as it relates to mechanics. I have gotten into a really bad habit of not giving a proper team control foul signal when I am calling an illegal screen. Not sure why I do this, but I have done this and I am completely aware of it. I also have for the last few years done a "pointing that way" when I have called an offensive foul of some kind to indicate the team on defense is getting the ball. I do not know why I started doing this, but I have and for some reason have not stopped. By no means am I perfect when it comes to NF mechanics.

I must also note that states can come up with their own mechanics if they want to. That came directly from Mary Struckoff herself a couple of years ago. States do not have to follow all the NF mechanics if they choose to and this is why I was asking were things in Georgia different and these guys were just doing what is allowed. I know our state had a couple of differences that are not listed in the book, but they usually are not related to signals. I am sure when one of the games that will be on national television some might notice those differences when everyone has a chance to see those officials work.

Peace

[Jimgolf]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

If I had worked this game and used the specific mechanics these officials used and I had an evaluator sitting in the stands, the officials would have heard about not stopping the clock.

Do you still use the stop clock mechanics when Precision Time is used? Since this game was at Georgia Tech, isn't it possible Precision Time was used?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Jimgolf

Do you still use the stop clock mechanics when Precision Timing is used? Since this game was at Georgia Tech, isn't it possible Precision Timing was used?

I have only used the PTS about 3 or 4 times in my career. I did use stop clock mechanics when using it. It was just a habit. Also it did not appear the officials were using the PTS. I could be wrong, but usually you can see an official holding their belt and I did not see anyone doing this.

Peace

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Jimgolf

Do you still use the stop clock mechanics when Precision Time is used? Since this game was at Georgia Tech, isn't it possible Precision Time was used?

I do. I count whith one hand and chop when the ball is touched, while starting the clock with the other hand.

[Peach State Ref]

In GA, we are allowed to walk & report fouls on the way to the table. In addition, we can use two hand mechanics to report fouls. Stopping the clock is encouraged but not mandated. I was at the game and Precision Time was notbeing used.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Peach State Ref

In GA, we are allowed to walk & report fouls on the way to the table. In addition, we can use two hand mechanics to report fouls. Stopping the clock is encouraged but not mandated. I was at the game and Precision Time was notbeing used.

I guess the bottom line is "When in Rome(Georgia)..........."