New "Team Control" Signal
 

I just want to know what everyone thinks about the "team control" signal NFHS added this year. It's the same signal as a lane violation, but what is your take on it?

It is not the same signal. I have gotten used to it. Coaches get confused unless the specific [block, illegal screen, etc] is verbalized when reporting.

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I like it. The first three fouls I called this season were team control fouls. It isn't the same as a lane violation, though. You're punching the wrong way.

Which way do I punch at?

Forward. I only use it at the table.

Straight out in front of you.

You punch the direction you are going so, lead is out in front, trail should punch to the side, and I think all fouls with control should be the punch, there is no need for two signals when the results of both calls are the same.

Not so fast. The NF never suggested that you go in the direction even though that is what most of us might actually do. Actually the NF Guidebook which Referee Magazine publishes showed the best description. You punch out in front of you in their description. But there is no suggestion you have to point towards anyone. Maybe that will change, but as of right now

Peace

You might want to re-read that..."The signal will communicate that the ball is going the other direction and no free throws will be attempted." Hmmmm.

Couple that with the manual from 05-07 that we are still using...without the new signal...under fouls 230-e, if a team control foul point in the direction of the throw-in team's basket.;)

My association actually mandated that this is the way the signal would be used, probably for this (seemingly logical in my mind) reason.

Fist up, then punch toward throw-in team's basket with same arm.

is it bad that I use a player control mechanic AFTER giving a block, push, etc if team control is involved?

I think NCAA did this a number of years ago....

F Federation mechanics.

That's exactly the FIBA way of doing it. We've had this signal since many years; people (i.e., officials, players, coaches, even fans) are used to it now.

Ciao

If it's a TC foul that is not also a PC foul, then the PC foul shouldn't be used.

Hasn't been a problem at all....this is how our SRI wants it done and it works really well.

Preliminary signals at point of foul:
Whistle & raised fist
Team Control signal straight out in front
Type of foul (block, hold, push, etc.)
Point to inbound location.

Reporting to the table:
Report color & number of player that committed foul
Team control signal, fist straight out in front
Indicate color & point direction ball is going.

I also verbalize everything while giving the signals, which really helps....and not just in team control situations!

Examples while giving signals above:
Initial Report - Team control, white 23, block, blue ball

Report to table - White foul, #23, team control, blue ball

I also use different voice levels for each - normal speaking volume for initial so players concerned know what's going on, louder & slower for report to table so anyone paying attention will know what the call is.

Touche'
 

OUCH! That's gonna leave a mark! http://www.runemasterstudios.com/gra...s/silenced.gif

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Sorry zebra, but this is incorrect. Read toolman's reply. He nailed it! (No pun intended TT)

I do not verbalize the type of foul, which is what the NFHS Officials Manual suggests.

Well perhaps having our state commissioner as the driving force on the NFHS rules committee for the signal being added means I may just have a little insight on how it is to be used despite a lack of clarification from the Fed.;)

Where does it say the "Team Control signal" has to be pointing in the other direction of where you are going? To communicate that you are going the other way and to point the other way are not necessarily the same things.

I am just telling you what it says in the current and most recent literature in the NF Publication. It does not say the signal has to be in the direction of the basket, it just says how the signal is used. They just added the signal this year, so what a book might indicate that was published over a year ago does not apply. Either way it goes you do what you are told despite what the NF book says because any state can use mechanics outside of that book anyway.

Peace

JR: how can you have a SIGNAL that "will communicate that the ball is going the other direction" without pointing in that direction?

Easy. The definition of the signal itself indicates it. If there is a fist extended, then we know which way it will be going (assuming you know which team had control of the ball...which is usually pretty obvious).

This is exactly how we were advised by our state board during this years rules clinic. Nice description TT.

The signal only means one thing. BTW, there is nothing in the literature that indicates that we must point in a specific direction at the table. My main point is they do not say specifically that we have to point in the direction we are going or else. It might be our usual practice, but if you do not point in the proper way we are not going to change the meaning. No more than a player control foul signal would do.

Peace

A little bit of contrast here - OUR state commissioner was the chief opponant of the new signal. Of course Mary Struckoff wants to bring everything from the NCAA womens into the HS ranks. Our guy hates the signal tough. It's one of the few things I actually agree with him about . . .

We need some signal to let everyone know we are not shooting FTs with this new rule. There were a bunch of times last year where we wasted time answering questions about whether we shoot FTs or not. I really do not care what the signal was, just as long as there was one.

Peace

Wow, this opens up some ideas maybe we can submit to the Fed.

The most current literature is the 2005-2007 officials manual where it says to point in the direction of the non-fouling team on a team control foul, and there is nothing in the handout that specifically says otherwise.

I love the signal, in fact if I had my way it would be the only signal for a player/team control foul...just rename it offensive control foul.

Considering that this was put out without a signal being approved, to use it now as evidence of something is a bit suspect. The publication that the NF used to introduce things like this did not indicate in any way you had to point towards a direction. That really was my only point on this. I know I point in the direction we are going, but it still is not required.

Wait until the next book comes out and see what that one says. ;)

Peace

Why? Coaches should know immediately if free throws are going to be shot and the fans will figure it out soon. I don't like using it in NCAA women's either.

Peace

I completely disagree. You know how many times I had to explain to a coach we were not shooting FTs and the table after a team control foul. I would even say team control foul at the table and still people would insist we should shoot FTs. The signal takes away the doubt of what kind of foul you have. And if you are signaling at the table and at the spot of the foul then everyone is clear what kind of foul you called.

Peace

I don't like the signal, so I just stopped calling team control fouls. :D

Love it! I first started out trying to get into Women College Basketball and they do it.

Ohio...We March to the Beat of a Different Drum
 

In Ohio, we were mandated to use a different signal than "the punch". The OHSAA required us to use the PLAYER CONTROL signal instead of the punch. We are allowed to use a secondary signal with the preliminary signal (block, push whatever), but just the hand behind the head at the table.

The only good thing about it is that the table and everyone understands that there are no free throws.

That is exactly how we were instructed to handle it here in NC as well.

I thought that was Women's College Dorm rooms!:D

Now that I think about it I almost always point to the inbound spot and then point the proper direction for my team control fouls (see above added bold text). To me the punch is not a point. The point is a separate signal, direction signals are not made with a closed fist so the direction of the punch is irrevelant. Point is fingers extended, thumb tucked. IMO.

For some reason I had a lot of these early in the season (adjustment from football to basketball). I was also told by one of my partners I verbalize a "Boom!" when I give my team control punch. I knew I was thinking Boom, did not realize I was saying it, too.

LOL - That's priceless. That would be pretty funny to see across the court.:D

I only heard a couple things last year early in the season. But, through about 20 varsity games this season and 5 college womens games, I haven't had a coach or scorekeeper question the free throw situation. I still hear a couple fans yell "bonus" but the signal wouldn't help them anyways.

JMO though!