Official mechanics

[cmckenna]

And that is why i stated that I meant no disrespect. But it is my opinion that an official who is working games should know what the mechanic is for illegal use of hands. The OP was stating that he was seeing officials using the FED prescribed mechanic for illegal use of hands and the OP didn't know what they were doing.

I was just putting it out there that officials should at least know the basics, and that includes the proper mechanics.

[chartrusepengui]

There is nothing in the fed mechanics that states any verbalization should be given when reporting. Your reporting to the table, not the coaches.

there is also nothing in rule or CB that states you should not verbalize when reporting - regardless of who you are reporting to. One might argue - "don't read into it so much" or "don't add your own interpretation to the rules" but since it doesn't say either way whether to verbalize or not it's just left up to each officials "judgement" I guess. Go with whatever gives you a real warm fuzzy!

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by chartrusepengui

there is also nothing in rule or CB that states you should not verbalize when reporting - regardless of who you are reporting to. One might argue - "don't read into it so much" or "don't add your own interpretation to the rules" but since it doesn't say either way whether to verbalize or not it's just left up to each officials "judgement" I guess. Go with whatever gives you a real warm fuzzy!

I don't have the mechanics book with me, but last ime I looked (about 6 years ago), it stated something like:

1) State the uniform color
2) State and signal the number
3) Signal the type of foul
4) State and point to the inbound spot, or state and indicate the number of FTs

It *was* clear that the foul type was to be given without verbalization.

[chartrusepengui]

I don't have a mechanics book from 6 years ago BUT when you state the uniform color (which we are not supposed do anymore where I work) and you state and signal the color - you are already "verbalizing".

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by chartrusepengui

I don't have a mechanics book from 6 years ago BUT when you state the uniform color (which we are not supposed do anymore where I work) and you state and signal the color - you are already "verbalizing".

1) How do you indicate which team fouled if you don't state the color?

2) The issue isn't about all statements; it's specificallly about stating the foul type (e.g, do you say "hit" when giving the ilelgaluse of hands signal?) IOW, should my step 3 above be "signal the type of foul" (as I wrote) or "state and signal the type of foul" (as others seem to do). I know what it used to be; I know what it is here; I don't know what the "official" FED mechanic is.

[chartrusepengui]

1.We are told to just point to the team bench area
2. This is why I didn't totally disagree with you - in my area we have been told to verbalize the signal while we give it. However we are supposed to verbalize "correctly" ie a push not "over the back" etc. I have heard that this is done to help "educate" people in proper terminology to help get rid of misconceptions etc. Personal experience would indicate it has not been helping in this regard very much.

[zebraman]

When in doubt, do it by the book. Coaches won't question the call if you give strong signals at the table anymore than if you verbalize "the story" there. I've seen lots of officials get themselves in trouble by verbalizing too much.

[mj]

Originally Posted by chartrusepengui

1.We are told to just point to the team bench area


2. This is why I didn't totally disagree with you - in my area we have been told to verbalize the signal while we give it. However we are supposed to verbalize "correctly" ie a push not "over the back" etc. I have heard that this is done to help "educate" people in proper terminology to help get rid of misconceptions etc. Personal experience would indicate it has not been helping in this regard very much.

Not everyone in your state points the the bench. This must be an association thing. Our association strongly frowns on it.