Talking to players

[Tio]

Originally Posted by Jay R

I am curious about your feelings regarding preventative officiating by talking to players such as post players and defensive players guarding a dribbler.

Do you believe in talking very much or would you rather let your whistle do the talking?

If you are a "talker"; what phrases do you use and what phrases would you avoid?

I think talking to the players is a great way to make the game better. The players need subtle reminders that we are out there. This is also a way that we can appear approachable and make the players at ease if they do need to talk to us later on.

One thing we need to remember is that a foul's a foul and we cannot choose to pass on it or give the player a warning. Those are the whistles we need to crack early to help establish the parameters for the game. Especially in the post and on the freedom of movement plays in regard to cutters and dribblers.

[Jay R]

I should have specified that I was asking about live play for example when two post players are fighting for position. I'm not asking about a player who asks a question during a dead ball situation,

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Jay R

I should have specified that I was asking about live play for example when two post players are fighting for position.

I like "Easy!", "Straight up!" or "Get the arm off!"

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Jay R

I should have specified that I was asking about live play for example when two post players are fighting for position. I'm not asking about a player who asks a question during a dead ball situation,

"Take it easy big fellas" if the ball isn't near-by--ie: the ball is still near half-court. But if there is someone with the ball on the wing who could potentially pass the ball into the post then I'm making the appropriate call. Also, I'm not going to spend an entire half giving warnings.

[Mwanr1]

Originally Posted by Jay R

I should have specified that I was asking about live play for example when two post players are fighting for position. I'm not asking about a player who asks a question during a dead ball situation,

"Clean it up" is one of my favorites. I rarely warn players in the 2nd half - just crack it.