Overture....then I hit a flat note
 

Opening game of the season, running 2-person , Girls Varsity. Team A coach...nice guy...did a few of his scrimmages. I'm U....opening tip. Team B jumper and team A jumper go up for ball, tap it, then Team B jumper grabs the ball and passes it to a team mate. I stand there, chop the clock in and say to myself...something's not right. So we're going in Team B's direction, and I pass Coach A. His comment: "I guess you're not gonna have that perfect night tonight." I cracked up, realizing 2 seconds into the first game, and I've already screwed up.

If you're gonna hit the flat note, it's better to do at the beginning of the concert, rather than during the encore.

This is a perfect example of a call which prompts the question: When is it too late? Frank, how much time had passed when the coach made this comment and you realized what had happened? Group, we have a rule of thumb on this or just play it by ear? IOW, must we make this call "immediately," whatever that means, before the violator passes the ball, or.....when?

You would expect to call this right away. If it is missed, I do not believe it is a game breaker. In reality, we are just determining who gets the ball first and setting the AP. No biggie in my opinion.... other than living with the fact you started the game on a sour note. :)

That's classic...at least the coach could laugh about it. :)

Good story, Franktown. :)

That is classic! :D

My rule of thumb on "too late" is when it "feels" too late. Generally that's when they've moved on to the next play (made a pass, started/stopped dribble, made a move on the basket, taken a shot, turnover, violation, etc.) or when more than about 2 seconds has passed.

Franktown,
Why do you feel that YOU missed this call? In fact, your partner missed it.
You could have helped with the violation, but it was the R's PCA.

Let's review:
You were the Umpire; he was the Referee. One of the two jumpers violated during the jump.

Officials Manual page 18:

2.2.1 B5
Jump Ball
Referee (or designated tosser):
Have primary responsibility for action of jumpers.

So you were still perfect two seconds into the game. :)

Thats good to know, Nevada. I too thought it was U's (non tosser) responsibility. Besides, it may take me a full 2-seconds to get the whistle in my mouth after I toss. :)

I agree with this and, when in doubt, it is not too late.

If you see it and it needs to be called, you call it. Not calling this makes you both look bad.