Remembering the AP

[Vinski]

Newbie question for ya…
I currently ref a lot of 5th grade to 8th grade ball. A constant problem that I encounter is the AP not getting set correctly by the table. The table personnel are usually junior high kids or someone’s mom that is just helping out and usually have never done it before. I know that the ultimate responsibility of knowing the status of the AP resides on the ref, but I sometimes forget, especially if there is a long period between jump calls. So, if the table has it wrong and I don’t know what it is, it can be kind of an uncomfortable situation. What I’m looking for is any ideas or “tricks of the trade” on how to keep tabs of the AP myself without having to rely on anyone else. I’ve heard of using a rubber band on the wrist. This requires having a rubber band on one wrist for team A or on the other for team B. When the AP should be switched, move it to the other hand. Or, maybe I just need to hone my memory skills more. Any other suggestions?

[JRutledge]

Do not use a rubber band or any other device where you have to literally change from one part of your body to another. It looks stupid and makes you look like a rookie. Just like you remember anything else in the game, get in tune to the game and just remember. Start from the tip off and the first thought in your mind should be, "The arrow goes to the......team." You would have to remember this no differently if you had a rubber band. If you forget to switch the rubber band you still for get right? You just have to work harder to remember something that is apart of the game. There are no shortcuts to do this. Maybe try to remember the time on the clock and other factors of an AP situation and that might help you remember better.

Peace

[Vinski]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Do not use a rubber band or any other device where you have to literally change from one part of your body to another. It looks stupid and makes you look like a rookie. Just like you remember anything else in the game, get in tune to the game and just remember. Start from the tip off and the first thought in your mind should be, "The arrow goes to the......team." You would have to remember this no differently if you had a rubber band. If you forget to switch the rubber band you still for get right? You just have to work harder to remember something that is apart of the game. There are no shortcuts to do this. Maybe try to remember the time on the clock and other factors of an AP situation and that might help you remember better.

Peace

I thought that the rubber band trick might not look too good. The "color name during the count" seemed like a good way to help remember. Thanks!

[Chess Ref]

I have started using the counting with color approch and it works for me. I also verify everytime that the arrow is moved correctly.

[Mark Padgett]

I keep a small roll of Tums in my front pocket and switch it from side to side when the arrow changes. It really comes in handy during the game when I get stomach aches from listening to coaches.

BTW - I used to use a Hickory Farms beefstick, but the female coaches were always drooling, so I stopped.

[rainmaker]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

I keep a small roll of Tums in my front pocket and switch it from side to side when the arrow changes. It really comes in handy during the game when I get stomach aches from listening to coaches.

BTW - I used to use a Hickory Farms beefstick, but the female coaches were always drooling, so I stopped.

Mark, as I told you on Saturday, it wasn't drool. It was revulsion at your deformity!

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

BTW - I used to use a Hickory Farms beefstick,

Ah yes, the Ron Jeremy method of keeping track of the arrow.

Ron don't need no damn whistle.

[dahoopref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Do not use a rubber band or any other device where you have to literally change from one part of your body to another. It looks stupid and makes you look like a rookie.
Peace

Well I know some of my Div I men's mentors still keep a mini-fox 40 in their pocket to keep the AP. If it makes them look "stupid", then I'd like to follow the quote of Forest Gump, "Stupid is as stupid does." I think you'd be hard pressed to call these referees "rookies."

[onetime1]

So switch my wedding band from hand to hand in order to keep track of the AP? That is what I have so far from this thread.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by onetime1

So switch my wedding band from hand to hand in order to keep track of the AP? That is what I have so far from this thread.

That's allowed only if you switch the whole finger from hand to hand.

[JRutledge]

I knew there was something wrong with getting married.

Peace

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by dahoopref

Well I know some of my Div I men's mentors still keep a mini-fox 40 in their pocket to keep the AP. If it makes them look "stupid", then I'd like to follow the quote of Forest Gump, "Stupid is as stupid does." I think you'd be hard pressed to call these referees "rookies."

Well I know many D1 officials that have advocated never to do this. One is a mentor of mine, the others were at a pretty high profile camp of I attended last year. I would say the same thing if I saw them do it. Just because you work D1 does not mean everything you do is smart or looks good. And considering I have seen some of this countries best officials in person never do this, I think it is stupid to be changing a whistle from one pocket to another all game long.

Peace

[ronny mulkey]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Well I know many D1 officials that have advocated never to do this. One is a mentor of mine, the others were at a pretty high profile camp of I attended last year. I would say the same thing if I saw them do it. Just because you work D1 does not mean everything you do is smart or looks good. And considering I have seen some of this countries best officials in person never do this, I think it is stupid to be changing a whistle from one pocket to another all game long.

Peace

I was watching a big dawg work one night and he was doing this. I was sitting on the first row across from the table. As he came out to start the 2nd half, I asked him how he liked switching the whistle and how did he make sure he knew what each pocket meant. He assured me that it was easy. I, then, asked him whose ball is it to start the 2nd half. He said "blue". I asked him to look at the table and it indicated "white". I thought that he would go over and have them switch the arrow but the ONLY thing he did was switch his whistle.

Every time (for years) I see him I ask him who has the next jump ball.

[IREFU2]

I have been working on this for years and the only way is to just in my head mentally say whose ball it is.

[hoosierinPA]

I usually just use a tube of chap stick it comes in handy throughout the game, you just have to remember which pocket to put it back in....haha... I usually wait until a non discreet time to switch pockets, but it has worked for me for years without any problems and has helped with not having chapped lips......

If you can remember, that is probably your best option if you are concerned with how you look. If you need some assistance like myself, just try to pick something that is as discreet as you can make it. If you are worried about looking silly, you should remember you are going to look even sillier when a situation occurs if you don't have the right information.

At the high school level the timekeepers generally doing a great job, that is what they are getting paid for. I just found out, in our area they are making $27/hour, and they don't have to sweat.

P.S. No rubberbands