The Possession Switch

[jkjenning]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

iirc, you're a relatively newer official. The technique you suggest is often used by newer officials (or, and MTD points out, in summer games where you're working several games in a row with less-than-perfect table personnel and equipment). As you gain more experience, you should try to wean yourself from this habit and remember the arrow.

Nope - yours is one opinion and I know very respected college officials who do this as well. I do not see this as a new official gimic but as a good habit begun at the right time.

[zebraman]

Originally Posted by jkjenning

Nope - yours is one opinion and I know very respected college officials who do this as well. I do not see this as a new official gimic but as a good habit begun at the right time.

Seriously? I've never worked with a single college official (or a top-notch HS official) that uses a device to keep track of the arrow (rubber band, whistle in the pocket etc.) They have all learned to manage the arrow that the official scorekeeper uses.

Low-level games where the official scorekeeper makes a mess of the arrow are the perfect place to practice arrow management.

IMO, nothing screams "rookie" or "sloppy veteran" like the rubber band technique or something similar. I've been to camps where an observer comes over and takes a rubber band (or whistle) away from a camper and tosses it in the nearest garbage can.

[jkjenning]

Originally Posted by zebraman

Seriously?

Yes, seriously - well respected officials. I started using a whistle in my pocket my first year and it is now what I consider to be a good habit, so I'll keep it [well, now I use an empty Listerine-strip packet]. Do you seriously find that most officials accurately keep track of the arrow in their heads?? I can't imagine using a rubber band - bad example for the players if nothing else.

[JRutledge]

I am with Z on this one as well. I have never seen an official of any significance use such a device. I have seen people who are not so knowledgeable use a whistle from time to time. But I am talking about someone that might actually work a varsity game, but are not at all in the top echelon. I have never seen a college official even try such a thing and I have never been to a camp where this was advocated. So maybe this is something that is allowed where you live. Where I live you would be laughed at big time by the so called big wigs that work games or assign them.

Peace

[jkjenning]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

... So maybe this is something that is allowed where you live. Where I live you would be laughed at big time by the so called big wigs that work games or assign them.

Peace

I'll look for an opportunity to ask about this at camp this weekend. Keeping track of the arrow in a variety of ways has never been disparaged by anyone I have worked with. Like I said, I find it to be a good technique to keep me alert (or make me aware of inattentiveness) during a game, and having confidence in the arrow pays off.

[JRutledge]

What are you going to do when you forget to move the whistle (or device)?

Peace

[jkjenning]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

What are you going to do when you forget to move the whistle (or device)?

Not worry about it and keep track of the arrow as best as I can.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I have never seen a college official even try such a thing and I have never been to a camp where this was advocated.

I have heard the following comment at camps when a few officials were spotted using this technique......"Not ready yet."

I agree with Bob J's original comment, as well as Z's and JRut's.