Stop Sign

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

So since this particular official used the stop sign incorrectly, it's wrong for all officials to use it?

Bull$hit. That's like saying just because something doesn't work for one official, it should never be used by any official.

I have never had anyone show me how to use this signal "properly" or when to not use the signal. I have seen it used but as illustrated here, it works sometimes and does not work sometimes. I would rather use a signal that seems to have a better precentage of success.

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

You make it sound like every official who uses the stop sign is a poor communicator. That's totally and completely false. When I use it, it's because even though I've communicated all night long with a coach, he has now made it apparent that he isn't going to listen to me, know matter how much I've listened to him. It's my way of saying, "OKay caoch, I've listened to you, you're not listening to me, so I'm not listening any further. Enough." Now, if he can't understand that when I say, "Coach, I've heard enough," that's a warning, then he's going to find out that I was serious.

Should the stop sign be used only in certain situations at a certain point? Certainly. Is it wrong to use it appropriately? No, it is not.

BTW, the stop sign seemed to work pretty good when Gary Maxwell gave it to K on Wednesady night.

If it works for you and others it is your prerogative to do so. That does not mean that some of us cannot think it is a poor move. The T might have been completely justified, but as shown someone watching makes a judgment that the official was being the aggressor rather than reacting to bad behavior. Remember, perception is often reality. Life is not fair and people will draw conclusions we might not like.

I was sitting and talking with a guy in my association last night (with JeffPea as well) that works in the Big Ten and a couple of other D1 conferences in our region. We were talking about handling coaches and situations, not once did this official say anything about using the stop sign or making it the big deal we tend to make it hear. Every story or situation he talked about his words that worked than a gesture that seems to have very mixed response from the people that we are trying to influence. I do not think coaches got the memo that this means something specific.

Peace