How much do you talk?

[M&M Guy]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Works for me too.

What works for you too?

What were we talking about?

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

What works for you too?

What were we talking about?

We were talking?

[truerookie]

I am a talker.

[refnrev]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

We were talking?

______________________________
I think you two are talking too much.

[rockyroad]

Between partners, I don't believe it is possible to over-communicate. The more communication between us, the better...most of the ugly things that have happened in my games can be traced back to some lack of communication. Doesn't even have to be verbal - just looking and making eye-contact is a big thing...but when we have weird things going on, it really settles everyone down when they hear us communicating with each other.

Between us and coaches, the communication should be kept to a minimum...if they have a reasonable question, I will respond. If they want to whine and gripe, we're not gonna talk very much that night...

Between us and players, communication helps a lot. I talk to players during dead ball periods quite often. I stay away from things like "Stop doing this" or "Set better screens" and just keep it light with them...if they have a reasonable question, I will answer it. If they come in griping, they get told to knock it off...

[zebraman]

I agree, it's almost impossible to overcommunicate with partners. I communicate more every year and verbalize way more than I used to also.

[jeffpea]

Don't forget that you communicate using many different "tools": whistle (volume, duration, etc); body language (lethargic looks indecisive or energetic/sharp looks confident); movement; etc.

IMHO, there is a solution to every problem and it will always include communication.

[Rusty Gilbert]

I'm a talker, but I hardly ever state "shooters number" when I have a foul. (Shooters number seems to find its way back to my lips and hands when I report to the table!)

I do get frustrated when it feels like a partner's primary communication mode resembles charades, or pictionary in the air, or some kind of "silent mouthing" that requires both lip reading and interpretation of hand/arm movements. This leaves me (and I assume most others) wondering about the call--especially what we do next!

As officials we have to take 100% of the responsibility for both giving and receiving information. We all know what "assuming" does for us.....

[Raymond]

On common violations like travelling, palming, or double dribble my communication consists of a loud whistle w/open hand, clearly pointing the direction of the subsequent play and clearly pointing to the throw-in spot.

However with fouls I immediately verbally communicate to my parter(s) the location of the throw-in or the number of free throws. If free throws are involved I make sure of some sort of communication (verbal or non-verbal) with my partner(s) indicating we are aware of the correct shooter before I proceed to the table.

If a partner calls a T I try to verbally communicate to my partner the team shooting, basket, throw-in location before he reports to the table.

I communicate to my partner(s) when bonus goes into effect. If my partner calls a non-shooting foul during the bonus I immediately find and point to the shooter and raise the appropriate fingers to indicate shots to be taken.

I'm a big believer in effective communication among the crew.