Advice on giving the Pre-game

[rockchalk jhawk]

Hey all, long time lurker, first time poster. Learned plenty from what I've read here, but I've finally come up with a specific request for help. I'm in my second year of working small college basketball (NAIA/JUCO) and the first "real" game of the year is Thursday. For some reason I haven't quite figured out, I've been selected as R for my first two games. I've done plenty of pre-games at the high school level, but was wondering if somebody had an outline or something of that sort that they use as a guide when giving pregames at higher levels. I know that early in the season we need to especially review rules and mechanics changes and coverage areas, but I'm kind of lost beyond that. Any help is appreciated.

PS this is men's side.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by rockchalk jhawk

Hey all, long time lurker, first time poster. Learned plenty from what I've read here, but I've finally come up with a specific request for help. I'm in my second year of working small college basketball (NAIA/JUCO) and the first "real" game of the year is Thursday. For some reason I haven't quite figured out, I've been selected as R for my first two games. I've done plenty of pre-games at the high school level, but was wondering if somebody had an outline or something of that sort that they use as a guide when giving pregames at higher levels. I know that early in the season we need to especially review rules and mechanics changes and coverage areas, but I'm kind of lost beyond that. Any help is appreciated.

PS this is men's side.

I know there's a detailed form on eofficials for NCAA-W. If there's not one for the men, you could modify.

[Junker]

Keep it short and simple. No one is listening anyway. Just do what you've done with high school and most importantly get rid of that Jayhawk stuff in your name. We are Cyclone fans here (well, I guess I am anyway)

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Junker

Keep it short and simple. No one is listening anyway. Just do what you've done with high school and most importantly get rid of that Jayhawk stuff in your name. We are Cyclone fans here (well, I guess I am anyway)

I don't know about you, Jeff, but I try to pay attention to my partners during our pregame.

[Junker]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I don't know about you, Jeff, but I try to pay attention to my partners during our pregame.

What?! My partners are out there during pregame?! When I'm R it's all about me!

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Junker

What?! My partners are out there during pregame?! When I'm R it's all about me!

Well, that's the Cyclone coming out.

[Junker]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Well, that's the Cyclone coming out.

I gotta give you that one. Nice.

[truerookie]

Originally Posted by rockchalk jhawk

Hey all, long time lurker, first time poster. Learned plenty from what I've read here, but I've finally come up with a specific request for help. I'm in my second year of working small college basketball (NAIA/JUCO) and the first "real" game of the year is Thursday. For some reason I haven't quite figured out, I've been selected as R for my first two games. I've done plenty of pre-games at the high school level, but was wondering if somebody had an outline or something of that sort that they use as a guide when giving pregames at higher levels. I know that early in the season we need to especially review rules and mechanics changes and coverage areas, but I'm kind of lost beyond that. Any help is appreciated.

PS this is men's side.

POE's

[budjones05]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Well, that's the Cyclone coming out.

I prefer my tigers myself!!!

[Junker]

Originally Posted by budjones05

I prefer my tigers myself!!!

Not a good week to bring up the Tigers with me Bud.

[budjones05]

Originally Posted by Junker

Not a good week to bring up the Tigers with me Bud.

You know what they say about Missouri fans, we are the biggest fans the in world, but we are often disappointed.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by budjones05

You know what they say about Missouri fans, we are the biggest fans the in world, but we are often disappointed.

Yep. That's the word they are using. You keep thinking that.

[budjones05]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Yep. That's the word they are using. You keep thinking that.

That hurts, right here <3

[BillyMac]

PREGAME CONFERENCE

Lead’s Primary Responsibilities:
Primary coverage area
Nearest endline and sideline below free throwlLine extended
Post play
Illegal screens at elbows

Trail’s Primary Responsibilities:
Primary coverage area “works the arc”
Division line, all the backcourt, nearest endline, farther sideline above free throw line extended
Weak side rebound coverage
Drives starting in primary
Last second shot, basket interference, goaltending
Bring subs in

Stay In Your Primary, It Must Be Obvious To Come Out Of Your Primary
Respect each other's area. Seldom should have four eyes on the ball. It must be obvious
to come out of your primary. We’re not going to have too many double whistles if we are doing this right.
Keep in mind your boundary line responsibilities and last second shot responsibilities. Put the ball in play
where it goes out of bounds or where the foul is.

On double whistles, let’s both hold our preliminary signal and not give a block or player control signal.
Make eye contact with each other. Give the call to whoever has the primary coverage, unless you definitely
have something different that happened first.

For out-of-bounds help, let's get it right. Come together for a change if needed. If I have no idea and I look to
you for help, just give a directional signal. No need to come to me. Just point. If I signal but I get it wrong,
then blow the whistle and come to me. Tell me what you saw and let me decide if I’m going to change it.

On throw-ins, count ten players, make eye contact, check the table, and check the clock.

Be consistent with each other. If I have a very close block/charge play and I call a blocking foul, then the next
time you have a similar block/charge play, you should have a blocking foul. Let’s try to remember what
we’ve called earlier in the game, and what we haven’t called. Be consistent with what has already happened
in the game.

Communicate at sixth and ninth fouls. We don’t want to be surprised when it’s time to shoot the bonus. If we
know that the next foul will result in bonus free throws, then we’ll be more likely to remember our shooter.
Check the clock after every whistle to make sure the clock stops properly. Check the clock every time it
should start to make sure it does so.

Near the end of the game, be aware of coaches calling time-outs and be sure to inform them after they have used
all their time outs. We’re not calling anything in the last two minutes if we haven’t already called it earlier in
the game, unless it’s so blatant that it can’t be ignored. We don’t want our first illegal screen to be called with
30 seconds left in the game; but if the illegal screen puts a player into the first row of the bleachers, then we
have to call it. If the game dictates it, let the players win or lose the game at the line. We don’t want to be
the ones who decide the game by ignoring obvious fouls just to get the game over. If the winning team is just
holding the ball and is willing to take the free throws after strategic fouls, then let’s call the foul immediately,
so the ballhandler doesn’t get hit harder to draw a whistle. Let’s make sure there is a play on the ball by the
defense. If there’s no play on the ball, if the defense grabs the jersey from behind, or if the ballhandler
receives a bear hug, we should consider an intentional foul.
Discuss coaches personalities and how to manage them. Coaches and captains meeting: players properly
equipped, players wearing uniforms properly, practice good sportsmanship

2007-08 NFHS BASKETBALL RULES CHANGES
Changed that a throw-in ends when the throw-in pass is "legally" touched by another player.
Changed that a dribble ends when loss of control by the dribbler is caused by the opponent touching,
or being touched by, the ball, rather than an intentional batting of the ball.
Changed the warning horn for a 30-second time-out to be sounded with 15 seconds remaining.
Changed the replacement interval for a disqualified player to 20 seconds, with a warning horn sounded
with 15 seconds remaining.
Clarified that a technical foul shall be called when a player purposely and/or deceitfully delays his/her
return to the court after legally being out of bounds.
Added to the definition of a legal screen that the screener must stay within his/her vertical plane
with a stance approximately shoulder width apart.
Added that guards, casts, braces and compression sleeves must be worn for medical reasons.
Clarified that hard items worn on the head, such as barrettes and bobby pins, are prohibited.
Clarified when the resumption-of-play procedure is in effect.
Implementation date reached requiring the home team to wear white jerseys.

2007-08 NFHS POINTS OF EMPHASIS
1. Uniforms
2. Free Throws
3. Displacement
4. Ball Handler/Dribbler

2007-08 MECHANICS CHANGES
Added a signal (spreading of the arms) for when a defender is not in a closely-guarding position.
Boundary line coverage by trail farther sideline above free throw line extended.
Trail may rotate toward farther sideline, leads primary coverage area rotates.
Referee can delegate jump ball toss.
Ball allowed on floor during time-out or intermission.

CONNECTICUT MECHANICS:
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.

[BillyMac]

PREGAME CONFERENCE

Lead’s Primary Responsibilities:
Primary Coverage Area
Nearest Endline And Sideline Below Free Throw Line Extended
Post Play
Illegal Screens At Elbows

Trail’s Primary Responsibilities:
Primary Coverage Area “Works the Arc”
Division Line, All The Backcourt, Nearest Endline, Farther Sideline Above Feee Throw Line Extended
Weak Side Rebound Coverage
Drives Starting In Primary
Last Second Shot, Basket Interference, Goaltending
Bring Subs In

Stay In Your Primary, It Must Be Obvious To Come Out Of Your Primary

Coaches And Captains
Players properly equipped.
Players wear uniforms properly.
Practice good sportsmanship.

Double Whistles
Let’s both hold our preliminary signal and not give a block or player control signal.
Make eye contact with each other.
Give the call to whoever has the primary coverage, unless you definitely have something different that
happened first.

Pass And Crash
Let’s have the Lead official follow the pass, stay with the ball.
The Trail will be responsible for the crash.

Out-Of-Bounds Help
If I have no idea and I look to you for help, just give a directional signal. No need to come to me. Just point.
If I signal but I get it wrong, then blow the whistle and come to me. Tell me what you saw and let me decide if
I’m going to change it.

Press Coverage
Help each other. New Lead will wait at midcourt.

Technical Fouls
If I T a coach, get me away from the coach. The situation is heated and I don’t want to whack the coach back-
to-back. Let’s move away from the benches. Non calling official should inform the coach that the coaching
box privilege has been lost.
Let’s get together and make sure we administer the penalty or penalties correctly and in the correct order and at
the correct basket.
If one official issues a warning to somebody (player or coach), make sure the other official knows. If I’ve
already warned the coach, the coach shouldn’t get a free shot at you.



Two-Point / Three-Point Shot
If one official incorrectly signals the number of points, the other official will simply blow the whistle
immediately, discuss the play with our partner, come to a decision, signal the correct number of points to the
table, and resume the game. We will only correct if we are 100% sure.

Goaltending And Basket Interference
99% of the time, the Trail will be responsible for the call.
Lead can help out on a quick shot in transition, when Trail hasn’t made it into the frontcourt yet.
Let’s remember that it’s never basket interference or goaltending to slap the backboard. Coaches and fans
always want it, but we can’t award the points.

Last Shot
99% of the time, the Trail will be responsible for the call.
Let’s both have an opinion, in case Trail’s not sure.
How will we handle a full-court pass when the Trail is stuck in the backcourt?

Foul Mechanics
Preliminary signal given at spot of foul for all common fouls.
Calling official must designate throwin spot or number of shots.
Noncalling official, get the shooter. If the ball enters the basket, inform partner that ball went in.

Throw Ins
Ten players, eye contact, check table, check clock.

Timeout Mechanics
When the ball is dead, we must be alive.
Team calling timeout must have player dribbling or holding the ball.
Both officials must know the game situation when play resumes following a timeout (team, direction,
spot or run baseline, shooter, number of shots).
One official at spot of throwin or free throw line with ball facing direction in which it will be put into play.
Other official at division line, quarter for 30 second and three quarters for 60 second.

Post Play
Let’s not allow a defender to use a leg or knee to move a player off the block.
Let’s make sure the offensive player isn’t holding off the defender, or holding him with his off-hand.
As Lead, let’s find the post matchup as soon as possible so that we get the first foul.
Remember the RIDD. Don’t let players Redirect, Impede, Displace, or Dislodge.

Ball-Handler / Hand-Checking
Two hands on the ball-handler is a foul. Automatic.
One hand that stays on the dribbler is a foul.
Remember RSBQ. If the dribbler’s Rythym, Speed, Balance, or Quickness are affected,
we should have a hand-checking foul.

Screens
We must work hard off the ball.
In the first half especially, let’s clean up the screening action. The screening action will be right in front of the
defensive coach in the first half, so if the coach sees an illegal screen, we should too.
In the second half, with the defensive coach 60 feet away, let’s be aware of the screening, but we don’t need to
focus quite as hard on it. If there’s an obvious call to be made, let’s absolutely make it; but we won’t make it
our “point of emphasis” in the second half.


Consistency
Let’s see if we can call the same game. Be consistent with each other.
Let’s try to remember what we’ve called earlier in the game, and what we haven’t called. Be consistent with
what has already happened in the game.
If I have a very close block/charge play and I call a blocking foul, then the next time you have a similar
block/charge play, you should have a blocking foul.

Game Situation Awareness
One of us should quickly check the clock after every whistle to make sure the clock stops properly.
One of us should check the clock every time it should start to make sure it does so.
Let’s try to be aware of the foul count during the game. We don’t want to be surprised when it’s time to shoot
the bonus. If we know that the next foul will result in bonus free throws, we’ll be more likely to remember
our shooter.

Last Two Minutes
Near the end of the game, be aware of coaches calling time-outs and be sure to inform them after they have used
all their time outs.
We’re not calling anything in the last two minutes if we haven’t already called it earlier in the game, unless it’s
so blatant that it can’t be ignored. We don’t want our first illegal screen to be called with 30 seconds left in
the game; but if the illegal screen puts a player into the first row of the bleachers, then we have to call it.
Let’s not put the whistles away in the last two minutes: That wouldn’t be consistent with the way we’ve been
calling the game. If the game dictates it, let the players win or lose the game at the line. We don’t want to be
the ones who decide the game by ignoring obvious fouls just to get the game over.
End of game strategic fouls: If the winning team is just holding the ball and is willing to take the free throws,
then let’s call the foul immediately, so the ballhandler doesn’t get hit harder to draw a whistle. Let’s make
sure there is a play on the ball by the defense. If there’s no play on the ball, if the defense grabs the jersey
from behind, or if the ballhandler receives a bear hug, we should consider an intentional foul. These are not
basketball plays and should be penalized as intentional.

2007-08 NFHS BASKETBALL RULES CHANGES
Changed that a throw-in ends when the throw-in pass is "legally" touched by another player.
Changed that a dribble ends when loss of control by the dribbler is caused by the opponent touching,
or being touched by, the ball, rather than an intentional batting of the ball.
Changed the warning horn for a 30-second time-out to be sounded with 15 seconds remaining.
Changed the replacement interval for a disqualified player to 20 seconds, with a warning horn sounded
with 15 seconds remaining.
Clarified that a technical foul shall be called when a player purposely and/or deceitfully delays his/her
return to the court after legally being out of bounds.
Added to the definition of a legal screen that the screener must stay within his/her vertical plane
with a stance approximately shoulder width apart.
Added that guards, casts, braces and compression sleeves must be worn for medical reasons.
Clarified that hard items worn on the head, such as barrettes and bobby pins, are prohibited.
Clarified when the resumption-of-play procedure is in effect.
Implementation date reached requiring the home team to wear white jerseys. The note will be removed
and a new sub-article will be added stating this requirement.

2007-08 NFHS POINTS OF EMPHASIS
1. Uniforms
2. Free Throws
3. Displacement
4. Ball Handler/Dribbler

2007-08 MECHANICS CHANGES
Added a signal (spreading of the arms) for when a defender is not in a closely-guarding position.
Boundary line coverage by trail farther sideline above free throw line extended.
Trail may rotate toward farther sideline, leads primary coverage area rotates.
Referee can delegate jump ball toss.
Ball allowed on floor during time-out or intermission.

CONNECTICUT MECHANICS:
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.