Clean mechanics for a pre-game dunk
 

Recently, I have seen a couple of pre-game dunks (or grasping of the rim) in some boys JV games I was observing.

In one...an official of the crew immediately blew his whistle and advised the player and Coach of the infraction.

In another...the officials got together and discussed the infraction...at the coaches meetings (2 min. prior to the game) the crew informed the Coach of the infraction and the penalty that would be imposed.

Maybe these sitch's will help newer officials in handling pre-game dunks. There is a certain procedure to use...what is it?

10.3.4 Sit C

You can do this without the whistle. I've seen it done both ways as well. I called it once in a summer league (the players were told twice to knock it off) and I used my whistle so that everyone knew what was going on. In a regular season game, I can see the advantage of just telling the coaches and reporting to the bench.

I don't use the whislte but I immediately inform the coach and the player so they know and it may deter any further infractions

Geeze, Dudey, you laid it right out for 'em, didn't ya?:D

The case play you cited lays down the procedure that should be followed.

Yea, JR...I guess I'm showing my "Old School" side...or should I say my softer "feminine" side...:D

Naw, you knew the <b>right</b> answer. And you own a case book.

You answered your own question though. :)

That's the way we've handled it the two times that it's happened in the past few years. In one case, the coach pulled his kids back to the locker room, chewed their azz and then brought them back out for a nice layup drill. :)

Had this situation in my first BV game this season. My partner (R) saw it . Told me about. When the kid came near us R called the kid over and asked for his number. I recited to my partner how we were going start the game and the loss of the coach's box. My partner then walked over to the offending coach and laid it all out to him then my partner returned to his pre-game position.

During the coach's meeting we informed the opposition coach that his squad would be getting 2 free throws and the ball to start the game. After the coaches' meetings we went to the table and my partner instructed the official scorekeeper what to annotate in the book and I instructed the visitor's scorekeeper.

After the introductions and national anthem I walked the ball to the appropriate free throw lane, gave a subdued toot on the whistle, formed the T sign with my hands, visually indicated 2 shots, and bounced the ball to the shooter.

and then took his seat on the bench! ;) Bye-bye coaching box.

I like ArmyMan's post. No need to make a big scene about it. Tell the coach and the offending player. Assess the penalty to start the game and move on.

Did the officials blow their whistle when they entered the gym to let the players know they were present??

This is a regional/state thing.

You have to blow your whistle when you enter the floor?

Not here, nor in Iowa (from where I moved to Colorado). But some states (I believe) have added this mechanic for whatever reason. I could be wrong, and it may just be a local custom somewhere. It's not, however, a mechanic mandated (or even recommended) by NFHS. The players should just know not to dunk in pregame; not like it's a new rule or something.

Could someone post this case play. I don't get one in my association, we use NCAA rule book and local modifications.

I always use my whistle when giving pregame warnings. The reason is simply so no player can come afterwards
"why did you T me"
"you hanged on the ring"
"but you didn't warn me"
then you simply end up giving more T's then you need. I don't know if there is an official FIBA mechanic on this though

I've only had it happen one time. When the player came back around, I called him over, asked his number and said "I need you to do me a favor. Right now, walk over to yoboutur coach and tell him why we are starting this game with a technical foul." He simply said "Yes, sir" and then his coach almost took his head off!

Of course I "officially" told the coach but I thought it was appropriate to have the player face the music.

Sure...10.3.4 Sit C

Fifteen minutes before the game is scheduled to start, team member A1 dunks. Two minutes later A2 dunks. RULING: A1 and A2 are both charged with a technical foul. In addition, the head coach is charged indirectly with a technical foul for each act. The two fouls are team fouls for purposes of reaching the bonus. When dunking occurs during the pregame practice period the official notifies the team member and the head coach, but does not sound the whistle. If the game is played in a state which utilizes the optional coaching box, the coach should be informed that he/she has lost the privilege of using the coaching box for the entire game.

Edit for follow up question:
What if 3 team members dunk during the pre-game practice period before the official gets a chance to tell the coach about the 1st dunk?

That's a 3rd indirect on the coach, and he's ejected. The assistant coach takes over for the game, and the coaching box may not be utilized.

This actually happened in a game in, I believe, Idaho, in around 1997 or 1998. I saw the story on ESPN.com, but haven't been able to find it since then. APparently the kids were mad at the coach, and did it intentionally. They got kicked off the team the next week.

Chances are you are not coming back to this gym . . . so I'd have fun tonight!:p