Retrieving the ball they hear. Because if its rolled away, and I look at one of them, they'll either go get it or have a teammate do it without a word from me. So they must be listening.

Not that it helps but I always end my meeting with,

Respect each other,
Respect the officials,
And most of all respect the game and we will all get along fine.

There are some things that go on in Mississippi that I did not encounter until this season. There is a meeting before meating with the team captains. Coaches (all 4 varsity coaches if they are there) and the game administrator meet with us. The game administrator introduces him/her self and tells us where they will be, if the police are there, etc. They leave and the R speaks to the coaches. This is the time when the coaches get a card with our names and ID number on them. After that meeting, we meet with the captains.
During introductions, all players come and give us a fist bump. This happens at the high school and college level. There has been one team (JUCO last night) that didn't do this and one team (high school) that insisted on shaking our hands instead of the fist. Good old southern hospitality.

Talking to the coaches is a waste of time also. :D

Just curious, how do you notify each captain before you jump the ball?

I agree with marking the captains in the book, I do this too.

My Agenda

Introduce and shake hands with opponents

"we are here to enjoy a good competitive game .....". Me and partner(s) will call what we see and commit to working hard and accurate

As capitains help control your verbal players .... all I can do is "T" them, you know your team-mates - keep them in the game and them under control

Uniforms are a POI. Help us there.

Point out any noticed floor irregularities (overhanging bboards, close tables, vollyball markings, etc - all being OOB)

Any questions?

Respect the Game and Respect each other.

Done.

I point to the captains one at a time and say, "Ready?"

They each say "yes."

Then I step in to the circle.

This works, but I've had more than a few games where the 'captains' weren't starters. ;)

I think less is more. I like to get the speaking captains #'s then ask if they have any questions for me. I ask if my two umpires have anything to add, then toss the ball up very high !!!

I've always been a fan of the quick captains meeting. When I started officiating HS games 20 years ago, I'd see referees talk about keeping hands off, playing good defense, describing the court, giving a good, long dissertation. So, I tried to copy that.

Over the years, it's gotten shorter and shorter.

The main purpose, for me, of the captain's meeting is to greet the players and show them the officials are human beings. I introduce myself by first name, get their names, and use their first names in a reply.

I don't discuss the court (who cares if I say "blue line all the way around" - does that really make the game better?), tucked shirts, fouls, etc.

We gather the captains at 12:00 and the R's at the table before the clock strikes 10:00.

This is my routine when I am the "R":

11 minutes prior, check the book, meet with scorer and timer. Review with scorer and timer duties. Meet with each Head Coach individually, introduce myself, review coaching box, make sure coaches signal and make eye contact when calling time outs. Ask coaches if they have any questions.


Captain and Coach Meeting, about 3 minutes before the game

1. Introduce all officials
2. Quote Sportsmanship statement
3. Cover any unusual court markings or limitations
4. Tell players to play hard but stop when the whistle blows
5. Ask if they have any questions

Thanks for all the replies in this thread, very informative.

I always congratulate the captains for being selected by their coach. I also tell them I expect them to be leaders on the court. Other than that, I tell them to make sure they have FUN because that is why they're there.

I realize you're trying to be funny but I disagree. If I ask the coaches before the game to have someone available to wipe up moisture, all I've had to do is look at him/her when that situation arose.

Ingnats75 must have some special children in his games, but frankly I don't believe it.

I'm very simple outline

1) players and coaches greet each other (if they haven't done it when the get there)
2) i introduce the officials
3) respect the game, yourselves, opponents, and the officials (sportsmanship talk)
4) Coaches --> Players legally equipped?
5) I tell each team to put the ball in the hole!!!! It makes their game, the officials game, and the coaches very happy.
6) ask my partners if they have anything to add

But seriously, unless certain markings or circumstances (homecoming or extra half time festivities), are needed to be discussed, then I don't say much. I try to say less. Players aren't paying attention, coaches don't seem to care. Since we are mid way thru the season, if they don't know about the coaches box, earings, tucking your shirt in, etc, etc,. that's their problem they should.