Captain's meeting

[mjbofficial]

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.

[Ron Giacoma]

Originally Posted by mjbofficial

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.

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 !!!

[Ref in PA]

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

[mjbofficial]

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

[mj]

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.

[iref4him]

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.

[MadCityRef]

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.

[mjbofficial]

Originally Posted by MadCityRef

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.

[Raymond]

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!!!

[BillyMac]

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 ?

[Mountaineer]

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.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by MadCityRef

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.

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.

[deecee]

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

[Texas Aggie]

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.

[ranjo]

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.