Captain's meeting
 

What do you guys go over with your captain's meeting. Mine changes depending on the level I'm working, but I usually go over:

Players being legally equipped
Coaches Box (if coaches are present)
Sportsmanship
Team Speaker
Any unusual court configurations (if applicable)

I want to add to mine, so just throwing this out to see what others do.

Coaches verify their players are legally equipped; players can't.

Be good, get to your teammates before I do, have fun.

Never understood "speaking captains." If a kid has a question or polite complaint, I'll listen.

Yeah, I guess I forgot to add that I only ask about the players being legally equipped if the coaches are present.

I agree, I'll speak to any kid...I guess I just do it because everyone else does.

This is Mr. ????, Ms. !!!!, and I'm Mr. BadNews.

Who are my speaking captains?

You take care of your players and you take care of your players.

White talk to White, Blue talk to Blue.

Keep your shirts tucked in or we'll have to send you to the sidelines.

If you have a question we'll try our best to answer but we need to keep the game moving.

Make sure no one has any rubber bands, earrings, or anything else their not supposed to be wearing.

Partners, do you have anything?

Have fun!!!

Captains And Coaches
 

I keep mine real simple:
1) Introductions and handshakes.
2) To coaches: Are players properly equipped ?
3) To coaches: Do your players know how to properly wear their uniforms ?
4) To all: We will emphasis good sportmanship tonight.
5) To all: Any questions ?
6) Any comments from umpire ?

Mine is short and sweet. I introduce my partners and myself to everyone and then . . .

To coaches:

Is everyone going to exibit good sportsmanship?
Are your players properly equipped and going to remain that way throughout the game?

To Players:

That means your shirts are tucked in and shorts are pulled up. This is your warning - we will sit you down. Good luck!

I should also say that I think the meeting is useless but it's required so we do it. I never ask for the speaking captains for the aforementioned reasons but most of my collegues do.

1. Coaches properly equip question.
2. Ask for speaking captains.
3. Sportsmanship talk (very brief).
4. Ask my partner if they have anything to add (usually no)
5. Guys have fun.

Meeting hardly takes a minute.

Peace

There is one captain/spokesperson. Rule 3-1. I circle that player's number in the book in case I need it after the tip.

Before the tip, you are supposed to notify each captain you are about to toss the ball. It's still in the Officials Manual. I've always done it as a way to acknowledge the captains, but I'm not sure how many people do. My regualr partner doesn't.

My pregame is simple:

--Introductions. Hi, I'm Rich.
--Captains are leaders, sportsmanship, come with any questions, have fun.

It's a quick meeting. We don't meet with coaches until 1:30 on the clock, except when I'm working in IL, where the coaches come to the captains' meeting.

varsity

1)we expect good sportsmanship and help with loose balls
2)let us know on timeouts 30 or full
3)any questions
4)NO -- great good luck

I hate to be cynical, but they rarely listen. I do, however, tell the captains we are playing ball on the second buzzer, so come out of the time outs when we come over there -- and to tell their coach that. I also add, especially with girls, to help us get the ball back into play by retrieving it.

I want it set up so if there's a problem or question that comes up from the coach during the game, I can respond that "I told your captains what we were going to do and to tell you." With that in mind, I'm always open to suggestions about what to "pre-empt" at this meeting. But I don't want to make it a state of the union address.

By the middle of the season I can just ask the captains what all the other refs have been telling them in the pre-game conference and they cover everything by themselves.

This season.....

SPORTSMANSHIP (always the lead off)
Uniforms (tuck em' in)
Time outs (We always remind coaches to break the huddle on the first horn so we're ready to go on the second)
Have Fun!

We meet the captains at 12 mins. and the coaches at 1:30.

On thing that we've added recently to the coaches greeting is "Coach, can you have a manager ready to take care of any wet spots on the floor if we run into that situation? It'll hope us keep the game moving."

I hate it when they toss me a towel. From a liability standpoint, I don't want to be responsible for getting moisture off the floor. I'm not going there.

Captains meeting without coaches at 8:00. (After the book and table are addressed at 12:00).

Introductions.

Boundry lines and obstructions (i.e. ground rules)

"Ladies or Gentlemen, yo have been selected as captains for your leadership ability. Please address your teammate's sportsmanship issues so we don't have to. If the ball rolls away during a deadball, please have one of your players get it as you're a lot younger than we are and that will keep the game moving.

Ladies (or Gentlemen), I have four rules to basketball. Respect the game. Respect your opponent. Respect the Officials and Have Fun. (If its a girls team I haven't had before, I'll also tell them to not hang on the rim when they dunk. Its usually good for a giggle) Good Luck."

Coaches Meeting at 3:00
(Each team separately)

Introductions.

"Coach, is your team properly equipped and ready to play?

Give me an immediate signal of what you want for a time out. If I don't get a signal, I will automatically give you a full.

The coach's box is marked, but if you're not talking to me, I'm not looking at you.

FInally, its a point of emphasis this year that the teams must be breaking their huddle on the second horn. When you hear the warning horn, please wrap it up so there aren't any delays or problems. Good Luck."

Not to be critical but guys, a lot of these things you're telling the captains is going in one ear and out the other. When you say something like, "Tell your teammates to...." you just as well be talking to the backboard. It's a waste of time. Short and sweet.

Talking to coaches is much more effective IMHO.

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.

I remember this. It was my first game ever and this kid came up to me and asked me if they can go to the bath room. The whole team laugh. The coach (which happens to be my high school coach) said thatshe made her do that. Not that funny, but hey i got a kick out of it

I had a Varsity boys game a couple of years ago where all that the crew chief said to the captains was: "Guys, if we blow the whistle, It is your fault. Now lets have fun." :D

Hey tomegun, they are still doing this for college games? The NCAA came out before last season and said this was a no-no and that the players should not be shaking hands or bumping fists (or anything else) with the game officials. I'm surprised that it is still happening at your college games...our commissioner told us that if any teams try to do this we are to report it immediately after the game...the stated reason is that it can create a feeling of unfairness if one team does and one doesn't do it...not sure I agree with their thinking and don't personally think it's a big deal, but the NCAA sure does.

Are you serious?

Where in the world is that posted?

I have never heard such a thing.

Peace

It was in the NCAA Program for meetings prior to the 2005-2006 season, and also came out later that season as a memo "reminder"...it was also discussed again at our meeting prior to this season...like I said, I don't see that it's a big deal, but the NCAA made it a point to address it.

I recall it, too.

Line all the way around.
 

Very informative post. I have just wondered for a long time, why do they often say "we are playing the blue (or whatever color) line all the way around"? Where is this mysterious gym where there is not out of bounds line?:D

Just point at the bench, :D

I only address this in those gyms with lines all over the place. Lines for basketball, volleyball, court hockey, jump rope, four square, hop scotch, and marbles.

Brings a tear to my eyes just remembering the good old days. My senior year I finally made head team manager for the varsity marbles team. Good times. :cool:

I used to love Four Squares. Great game when I was a kid. What about tether ball? :)

Peace

Call me a prude...but, I have said the last few years, when this practice became more abundant around here, that I would just as soon the players leave us alone during the pre-game introductions. (NFHS)

Evidently, the NCAA sees it the same way.

We played tether ball outside, like men. :D

Did you have to keep the shooter polished. :)

Mine is too long, and I need to learn how to make it shorter. But basically I have them all shake hands and introduce themselves. If the visitors came from a ways away, I'll ask one of the captains how the trip was. Then:

• (to captains) You know the drill; you're the leaders out there. You know who your whiners are; don't let us find out.
• (to coaches) Help us out with timeouts, please. Give us a quick 30 or 60 signal.
• (to all) We're happy to answer questions and we'll talk to you all night long so long as it's done respectfully.
• (to coaches) If you're going to yell at us, please do it from the box (said with a grin)
• (to coaches) Are your players legally equipped and prepared to play with good sportsmanship?
• (to all) Have a good game and let's have some fun.

We played it outside, inside or anywhere we could get a game going. I could mess you up on some tether ball. ;)

Peace

They had discovered geometrical squares back then?

:D

And his marbles :D

The girls played tether ball inside at my school; just like they played 6-on-6 basketball.

I kinda like this...

but, what do you do now when they throw you the towel?
*wipe the floor
*refuse to wipe the floor
*go looking for a manager to wipe the floor
*ask coach if he remembers prior conversation...and to get mng. to wipe floor
*other

Throw it back to them and walk off??

Really? You would do that Rocky?

I generally have a pretty good rapport with coaches...I don't think this would fit with my game management style...but, to each his own.

I am probably one of the youngest people here outside of TJ. If we are talking about JR's age, well I am suprised they had indoor schools at that time. :D

Peace

I use this a lot when I have a coach for the first time. Most of them lie in response and say "Oh, you don't have to worry about that, I never yell". :rolleyes:

IIRC, you and I are around the same age as well.

Why do guys feel compelled to tell the coaches and players what they should already know? I would agree the timeout situation might have been an issue 3 or 4 years ago when the rules allowed the coach to call a timeout, but now they know that rule and if they do not so be it. The same goes for the coaching box. They know the rule, they either listen to you or they suffer the consequences. If our state never instituted a sportsmanship talk, I would only ask for captains and walk away.

Peace

That depends on what age you are claiming to be. ;)

Peace

No way would I do that...just being a smart-a$$.

We actually talked about this last night at our final association meeting of the season. The question about your team being properly equipped and ready to play is important. If that question is asked, you have now put the onus on the coach to make sure the players are properly dressed particularly since we have become fashion police.

However, that being said, I had a game this year where, when a kid took his warmups off to start the game---the nimrod had an illegal undershirt. We made the coach replace him. And before everyone gets their panties twisted, it was confirmed last night that the OHSAA does not want a T charged for a different starter. THe rationale being that the player was mandated to leave the lineup by the referee, not the coach.

So, if you don't ask them that question is your association saying the "proper equipment" rules no longer apply?

The onus (oweness) is already on the players and coaches whether or not we ask them the question.

I am not referring to the "properly equipped" comment. This is something that when I started was not done at the captain's meeting because the coaches were not involved. I am referring to the other comments about the coach’s box, lines on the court, or anything that should already be understood or addressed.

OK.

Peace

By this time in the season most coaches and players have heard it all but I stress sportsmanship, coaches maintaining the box, ask coaches if players are legally equipped, and tell players that we will not tolerate taunting, baiting, etc. The only other thing I will add is if we have anything strange at this gym (for example, coaches box lines are different colors because the lines also are used for another court).

Of everyhting I say, I ALWAYS ensure I tell the coaches to stay in their box at all times. I say this because our state director told us of an incident in a football game a couple of years ago where an official ran a coach over moving down the field. The coach was on the field and was hurt pretty bad when the official ran him over. The coach sued the official over his injuries. Since I heard that I always make sure I tell them to stay in the box. This way, I figure, if I ever run one over they can't sue me. That's probably pretty stupid and I have never ran into a coach on the floor, but it makes me feel better.:D