Talking to players

[Adam]

Originally Posted by jdmara

Although, I must admit that if the ball is in the area, I let my whistle do the talking. If it's on the weak side, I will be proactive as long as there is not an advantage gained.

So, are you saying if the ball is near the action, you'll call a foul even if there is no advantage?

[inigo montoya]

I tend not to be too talkative with the players, although in a game the other day involving high school girls I did say something.

A1 makes an easy layup for the team that is already comfortably ahead. Ball falls through basket and as B1 goes to get the ball, A2 kind of brushes by her before jogging up the court. It may have been accidental, but the contact was enough to jar B1. B1 turns back around in the direction A2 was running, and stares at her, obviously feel "disrespected." She pauses for just a moment before turning back around, retrieving the ball and starting a throw-in.

We ended up jogging up the floor together, and I told her simply "good decision." She understood.

[JRutledge]

I talk to players often. When it comes to simple play situations I am not going to take a lot if there clearly is a foul. But when it comes to attitude or borderline unsportsmanlike behavior, I will talk to the players more. It really is about reading the situation and deciding what works and what will not work.

Peace

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

So, are you saying if the ball is near the action, you'll call a foul even if there is no advantage?

Of course if there isn't an advantage I'm going to bite the whistle (generally). I'm not the gestapo.

-Josh

[Adam]

Originally Posted by jdmara

Of course if there isn't an advantage I'm going to bite the whistle (generally). I'm not the gestapo.

I'm just trying to flesh this out; my wife would accuse me of picking on words.
You say "generally." I'm inferring from your post that you think there can be a foul without advantage, and that when you pass on such a "foul" you are "letting them play."
Am I reading you correctly?

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I'm just trying to flesh this out; my wife would accuse me of picking on words.
You say "generally." I'm inferring from your post that you think there can be a foul without advantage, and that when you pass on such a "foul" you are "letting them play."
Am I reading you correctly?

Actually I just put "generally" in there for the heck of it. There are always situations where I wouldn't let things go, however. If there has been a problem with two guys, then I might call a foul (even without an advantage/disadvantage situation) just to keep things under control. For instance, two post players have been at each other all game and one of them just gives a little shove to the other as he is crossing over to the weak side of the lane (from the strong side). If there hasn't been a problem all game, I would probably tell them to clean it up. But since there has been a problem, I would grant their request (they are asking for a foul, right?) and give them a foul. With that said, these are hypothetical situations and it's difficult to describe live game situations.

-Josh

[Adam]

Like I said, my wife would tell me I was picking on words. It appears this would be a case in which she was correct. She doesn't need to know.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Like I said, my wife would tell me I was picking on words. It appears this would be a case in which she was correct. She doesn't need to know.

Too late. Wives know everything, didn't you know that?

[Odd Duck]

I talk to the players for a quarter or so, then let my whistle do the talking for the rest of the game. It is a great way to communicate to the players that you see but are passing on some things that are approaching the line. It also communicates that to the coaches. Last season I called a 3-second violation in the 3rd quarter. Players got a stern look from the coach and shot the comment at him "Who calls that?" Coach yelled back..."He warned you twice in the first half, move your rear out of the lane."