Do we need this mechanic?

[Rita C]

I just read the changes for next year. One of the mechanics has us holding both arms out if there isn't a closely guarded situation. Supposedly this is to let coaches know if it isn't obvious.

I thought we already had something that communicated this. A five second count if they are, none if they aren't.

Rita

[Jurassic Referee]

Rita, it can't hurt.

[Back In The Saddle]

You've never run into a situation where an explicit "I'm not counting because the defender isn't close enough" signal wouldn't have helped? If communication is our best tool for managing coaches, then a new help in communicating can't be a bad thing, can it?

[RookieDude]

Originally Posted by Rita C

I thought we already had something that communicated this. A five second count if they are, none if they aren't.

Rita

What if we have an official that is not paying attention (I know this would NEVER happen...but, humor me). Wouldn't the communication be the same, the official not having a count, even though there could indeed be a closely guarded situation?

This new signal just shows the coaches/fans/evaluators/etc. that the official is on top of the play...and he/she does indeed have a count or does not have a count because of the six feet guarding requirement.

I didn't use this signal before(well, almost never) ...but, if in our judgement we can communicate better with this signal...why not?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Rita C

I just read the changes for next year. One of the mechanics has us holding both arms out if there isn't a closely guarded situation. Supposedly this is to let coaches know if it isn't obvious.

I thought we already had something that communicated this. A five second count if they are, none if they aren't.

Rita

It is a great mechanic. There have been many times I wish we had this mechanic during HS games. And it is not always obvious you should have a 5 second count, but coaches and players will claim that you should have a count and this mechanic gives them a reason. There are many times a defender is just standing there and doing nothing. You now can communicate to the world why you do not have a count instead of it looking like you just are incompetent.

Peace

[mick]

I agree with everyone.

The extended arms is a modified *shrug* [ ] which indicates that since the maximum 6' is imperfectly defined, the officials aren't quite sure, and therefore, the coaches shouldn't be certain of the rule either.

[Boiler14]

I actually wonder what took so long to bring it to HS.

[BillyMac]

IAABO has used this mechanic in Connecticut for several years. Previous to this, coaches would occassionally yell to us "Five seconds". Since we starting using this mechanic several years ago, we seldom hear this from coaches.

FYI, in 2006-07, "special" Connecticut mechanics included:
Arms extended not closely guarded signal.
Point to floor for two-point field goal try.
No long switches when foul is called in the backcourt and there is no change of possession or direction.
Team members are not allowed to congregate at midcourt during introductions.
Coaching Box must be marked. If home coach and/or home management refuse to designate coaching box with tape, the home team will not use a coaching box for that game. However, the visiting team will be allowed a coaching box. Notify Board Secretary or Commissioner the next day.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

FYI, in 2006-07, "special" Connecticut mechanics included:
Arms extended not closely guarded signal.
Point to floor for two-point field goal try.
No long switches when foul is called in the backcourt and there is no change of possession or direction.
Team members are not allowed to congregate at midcourt during introductions.
Coaching Box must be marked. If home coach and/or home management refuse to designate coaching box with tape, the home team will not use a coaching box for that game. However, the visiting team will be allowed a coaching box. Notify Board Secretary or Commissioner the next day.

I don't purport to be an expert on "standard" FED mechanics, but:

"Point to floor" -- always, or only when it's close to the three-point line? If it's the latter, then I don't think it's a "special" mechanic.

"No Long switches" -- If there is a change of posession, then you switch? IF so, that's unusual. MOst would have no long switches on any such occurrence, or switch on every foul.

"Team members congregating" and "Coaching Box" are rules, not mechanics.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Team members are not allowed to congregate at midcourt during introductions.

No different from the FED, although many don't enforce it.

Also, this isn't a mechanic.

[Old School]

Originally Posted by Rita C

I thought we already had something that communicated this. A five second count if they are, none if they aren't.

Rita

The none if they aren't is the problem. In HS and NCAA Men's, coaches teach playing defense and the referee's must officiate it. In NCAA Women and the NBA, there is no such thing as a closely guarded count on the dribbler. IMHO, I believe this hurts the NCAA Women's game not having it but I guess it was being called too much that led them to dismiss it.

I have had coaches come apart at the seams expecting this call. Sometimes so bad I had to ignore them to keep from giving them the T. If I used the spread-arm mechanic, I was accused of using college mechanics in a HS game. The athleticism of the players has reached the college level now in HS. Ironically, in my college games, I seldom have to use it because they swing the ball so fast and the shot clock makes them shoot. Not so in HS.

Remember, closely guarded is measure at the feet and not the arms. Good mechanic to help manage the coaches.