The Possession Switch

[tjones1]

http://www.possessionswitch.com

Anyone going to try one of these out?

I just read about it in the May 2007 Referee.

[Nevadaref]

These have been around for quite a while. They may be new to you, but not many of us.

The problem with them is that if you forget to switch it, then what are you going to do?

My advice is to just use the arrow at the table and take a look to ensure that it changes when it should. Keep it simple.

[Daryl H. Long]

Not me. Besides it costs as much as a whistle. I can spend that money on something other than a devise that makes me do the scorer's job.

Next they will try to sell us a devise we can put on one finger of each hand so we can keep track of points. Maybe a white one for the home team to be placed on right hand and a black one on left hand for the visitors.
Something similar to the devises that track the number of people entering a
game.

[tjones1]

I was thinking something like this was already out there. However, I was under the impression it fixed on the top of your whistle.

Either way, I don't plan on using it...I can keep track in my head.

[jkjenning]

Whistle[Listerine pocket pack, whatever] in the pocket works... right pocket goes to home, left to visitors or whatever your scheme. I'm not going to rely on remembering the arrow and tracking the arrow myself gives me a good indicator of how alert I am and/or how alert the table crew is. I don't want to spend more money for an extra device, though.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Daryl knows that I have had owned a couple of possession switches for a number of years. I have them on two of my Fox 40's. I rarely use them and when I do it is usually in youth summer recreational leagues and H.S. team summer camps where there is no AP Arrow to begin with. They do affect the sound of the whistle somewhat. I would never use them during real games, i.e., H.S., college, and summer national tournaments.

And yes, Daryl is that cheap as not to buy one.

MTD, Sr.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

And yes, Daryl is that cheap as not to buy one.

It's probably more of a case that Daryl would be ashamed to be seen wearing one.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by jkjenning

Whistle[Listerine pocket pack, whatever] in the pocket works... right pocket goes to home, left to visitors or whatever your scheme. I'm not going to rely on remembering the arrow and tracking the arrow myself gives me a good indicator of how alert I am and/or how alert the table crew is. I don't want to spend more money for an extra device, though.

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.

[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 tjones1

http://www.possessionswitch.com

Anyone going to try one of these out?

I just read about it in the May 2007 Referee.

Heck no. Just another excuse (device) to avoid learning how to manage the possession arrow.

[Jimgolf]

From one of the pages on the website: "This product may reduce the performance of the Fox 40 whistles."

Caveat emptor.

[JoeTheRef]

Originally Posted by zebraman

Heck no. Just another excuse (device) to avoid learning how to manage the possession arrow.

Originally Posted by IREFU2

Its easier to keep the possessions in your head!!!!!

The above should be the ultimate goal.

I was being evaluated during a Christmas Tournament about 4 years ago, the evaluator came in at halftime and asked be about a call I made in the 1st quarter. I told him I couldn't remember the play. He tried to remind me, and I nodded my head like he jarred my memory. Needless to say at the end of the game when I got my copy he checked the "Not ready for post season play" box and commented that I have a memory lapse. His quote was if you can't remember what happened 8 minutes ago, how are you going to resolve a possession arrow discrepancy? He also told me that I have to manage the game on the court and in my head. If you can't do both you're never going to make it.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JoeTheRef

The above should be the ultimate goal.

I was being evaluated during a Christmas Tournament about 4 years ago, the evaluator came in at halftime and asked be about a call I made in the 1st quarter. I told him I couldn't remember the play. He tried to remind me, and I nodded my head like he jarred my memory. Needless to say at the end of the game when I got my copy he checked the "Not ready for post season play" box and commented that I have a memory lapse. His quote was if you can't remember what happened 8 minutes ago, how are you going to resolve a possession arrow discrepancy? He also told me that I have to manage the game on the court and in my head. If you can't do both you're never going to make it.

And you just assume that he's right.

You don't remember every single play that happens. For him to expect you to remember something just cause he focused on it is idiotic.

[IREFU2]

Originally Posted by tjones1

http://www.possessionswitch.com

Anyone going to try one of these out?

I just read about it in the May 2007 Referee.

Its easier to keep the possessions in your head!!!!!

[Mark Dexter]

Wow - an entire website dedicated to a single product? God bless the internet.

I tend to agree - seems it would be easier to keep track in your head than use this thing. I'll use the whistle as backup for games where there is no arrow (or the scorer/timer doesn't know how to use it), but for HS and above, I'm watching the table.