On the Floor, et al
 

I got to thinking during my most recent game about things officials say that drive me nuts.

Aside from "reach" and "over the back," I mean.

First of all is "play the rim" or "wait til it hits the rim" on free throws. This is probably just me being an anal rules geek, but the fact that they can come in once it hits the backboard negates this phrase.

Then there's, "Coach, feel free to ask us questions during the game, we'll be happy to answer them."

Of course, there's "on the floor." Similar to "play the rim," it communicates a mistaken rule basis, but generally gets the right point across.

Anyone else have any others?

I ask to see if there's something I'm saying that drives other officials nuts.

You mean besides "3-man" and "you guys"? I can't think of much else...

Or man-to-man defense. :D

MTD, Sr.

That one doesn't bother me, because it doesn't claim to refer to me!

Oh, I don't know, Juulie. I hear "man to man" or "pick up your man" all the time in girls' games. Often times, these phrases come from Moms in the stands or female coaches.

Many years ago, some big name college women's coach on tv said, "We play man-to-man defense. Person-to-person is a telephone call."

That narrows it down to about, what three?

Right. That's why they don't bother me. They don't bother the girl players, and they don't refer to the refs, so I don't have any right to worry about it. So I don't.

Fair enough.

You can know in the future that if I say "you guys," I'm not refering to you. :)

Also, if I say "3 man," it's a safe bet both of my partners were male (I do try to refrain from that term, though.)

I was being diplomatic. I don't know who said it, but I think it was a college women's coach.

"I've got..."
"Foul's on..."

"Walk"

"baseline"

:(

That's why we use "y'all;" it's much more PC.:D

I agree with both of these. I will also add:

"That way", "going down", "stay here" - none of these are colors

Then I guess you would be "nuts" before we started our game when I am R.

I don't say "we'll be happy to answer them"...but, I do say "Coach, don't be afraid to let us know if you 'see something'...pause(usually get a grin or the like)...and I continue with "we'll let you know if it is too much."

This is part of the game that I personally enjoy...communicating with Coaches. Managing the game. Letting the Coach know that he has a say...but that ultimatley, the crew has the final word. ;)

I'd much rather my partner communcate to me with "on the floor" rather than "on the ground" as one of my rec leagues partners does....At least if I am in question I now know for sure....

Same with saying "stay here"...I do say that but I say it to the players who may not have their head in the game and see me point and announce the color.

One I hear some guys say is "1 and the bonus"....NO! NO! NO!...it's 1 and 1!

I too fall into the category of not being able to stand officials calling "reach" and "over the back" when reporting...drives me NUTS!