Pregame conferences

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by dan74

Also, what do you say to the clock operator/table personnel prior to a game?

If it's an "experienced" crew, I don't say much. Early in the year I'll remind them of new timing rules and horns. I ask if they've had anything "unusual" this year. If the answer is "no", I tell them, "Let's keep it that way for another night."

If it's an inexperienced crew (and / or kids), I tell tehm that the running score is the most important thing. If they forget who scored teh basket, put my name at the bottom of the roster and give the points to me ("I have a bonus clause in my contract and I need the points.") Be sure to look at us when we report fouls ("We might change our mind between the time we blow the whistle and the time we report at the table.") When in doubt, keep the clock running.

[stmaryrams]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

If they forget who scored teh basket, put my name at the bottom of the roster and give the points to me ("I have a bonus clause in my contract and I need the points.")

That's beautiful Bob

[dan74]

As I was in my first year last season, I normally followed my partners lead when it came to deciding who would ref a particular game and whether we'd meet w/the coaches. I only had one JV game where my partner wanted to pregame w/the coaches.

I had a couple parnters tell me before the game that their primary goal was to get their checks and get out. Given their gruff personalities, I couldn't see asking them if they wanted to meet with the coaches, as it seemed it was an inconvenience for them just to be there. Some of my toughest games came when working with these two.

This year I'll discuss it when pregaming w/my partner and may have to just do it on my own when working with officials who seem not to give a hoot.

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by dan74

As I was in my first year last season, I normally followed my partners lead when it came to deciding who would ref a particular game and whether we'd meet w/the coaches. I only had one JV game where my partner wanted to pregame w/the coaches.

I had a couple parnters tell me before the game that their primary goal was to get their checks and get out. Given their gruff personalities, I couldn't see asking them if they wanted to meet with the coaches, as it seemed it was an inconvenience for them just to be there. Some of my toughest games came when working with these two.

This year I'll discuss it when pregaming w/my partner and may have to just do it on my own when working with officials who seem not to give a hoot.

Dan, just a suggestion that I found worked well when I was just starting out - in situations like the one you described where you're working with "get the check, get out" types who wouldn't want to bother with pre-games, just tell them you're working on your total game, and if they don't mind you'd like to take the pre-game and chat with the coaches and captains. Tell them if they'd like to be involved and give you some pointers (you can decide how much credence to give their thoughts afterwards) they're welcome, but if they'd rather not that's fine too.

You'll project a great confidence to the JV coaches (they like their games being treated as "real", too) and your partners will have to be real a-holes to object to you doing the pregame.

Good luck!

[Mark Dexter]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

When in doubt, keep the clock running.

Hear, hear!

(From both the rules and practicality points of view.)