Ref keeping track of AP arrow

[Mark Dexter]

Two of the things I've heard over the years:

A package of "mints" in the pants pockets (or backup whistle, etc.).

Some sort of indicator on the whistle. I'm not sure exactly how this worked, though.


As a scorer myself, I find the easiest way to avoid AP problems is to:
(a) Check the arrow at the table at every AP throw-in and also at all of the other throw-ins (to make sure it doesn't switch).
(b) Make sure the table knows that a jump ball has been called, especially with situations that are 'jump ball by rule' (double fouls, etc.). Sometimes the official's thumbs up can't be seen when screened out by 10 6'2" players!


Personally, it's amazing that, in only five years, I went from someone who thought the posession arrow switched whenever the ball changed hands to someone who can actually keep track of the arrow.