Spot of foul mechanic
 

Good morning-

I am currently in a bit of a spot of foul mechanic funk. The HS Federation mechanic signals say that the bird-dog is optional, yet camps and the local board seem to want us cadets to use it in the following manner-> whistle-> bird-dog->indicator (push, illegal use, etc)-> "spot" or "two shots".

Now I spent a good amount of time getting rid of the bird-dog early in the year and I find that to use it really messes me up in terms of flow and polish. After speaking with a few vets and class observers, it seems that this mechanic is used largely to get us to sloooooooow down, as the younger (self included) officials seem to always be in a mechanics rush.

How is the bird-dog mechanic thought of these days? Is is required or optional or depends on your board?

Second, how to higher levels of play look at officials who bird-dog? Do colleges frown on it? If I am observed by a college official, or if I am at a college camp trying out (so to speak) what will the reaction be if I use it?

Thanks

Z

In my area, even before it went optional, many didn't do the bird-dog when the foul was obvious. I'm glad it's gone. Have a mentor come to a game and get you to slow down to the proper speed.

As for the mechanic in higher levels, it's when in Rome thing. If you're not able to incorporate a new mechanic with ease, you have lots of room to grow. This is not a bad thing - it's bad only if as an official, one doesn't recognize this.

We are an IAABO state, the rule book says the official "may" use the bird dog signal. I never use it but if the powers that be said we "must" I guess I would have to incorporate it in my game.

I personally haven't seen it used it at the collegiate level. Speaking of the next level, I learned that preliminaries aren't neccessary for each foul call like in HS. Just block, charge, double, intentional, T & sometimes hand-check. I also, heard many clinicians (NBA & D1) questioning why campers were visually indicating 2 shots instead of just verbalizing it.

Not sure about the Mens NCAA mechanic - but on the Women's side we do not use the "bird-dog mechanic" and we do not use preliminary signals at the spot of the foul, we do use verbal communication ie: "Blue 22 hold, white 15 shooting 2" or "Red 10 push, white ball oob" and indicate the spot where the ball will be inbounded. The only time you should have a preliminary foul signal at the spot would be on a pc or team control foul or as the lead on a block/charge (T & C should just have a closed fist in case the L comes up with a preliminary, but then if nothing from the L , T or C should indicate block or charge. T & C just have to be patient with their block/charge signal to avoid the blarge.)

Being a newer official, at the camp in my area we were told we could use the bird-dog, but it was not recommended. They said no one in the area was using it, so I guess they didn't feel we should start to either. However, in the first couple games I did, I did find myself using it once or twice, but not anymore.

Do not under any circumstances use a bird dog in a college environment. It will only hurt your believability and label you as a high school official. Believe me, college coaches will figure out if you are a high school official very quickly.

The Bird-Dog is for clarification purposes, nothing else. That is why it is optional at the NF level and NCAA Men's levels. You use it if there is possibly more than one person around and it might be unclear who fouled. I bird-dog on a regular basis, only when it is likely two or more people could have committed the foul. Plays on the perimeter like a foul on the guard then I might not do anything but the preliminary signal.

Peace

And that is not true, not true at all. College Men's this is an acceptable signal and a widely used signal.

Peace

My supervisors have suggested that we not use a bird dog. Maybe there are different philosophies, but I do what my bosses want.

To say it is a widely used signal is a bit of an exaggeration unless your reference to college baskeball is on ESPN classic.

In our local kids rec league, we allow and even encourage the bird dog but only if accompanied by the official reporting the following:

Hey, bird dog get away from my quail
Hey, bird dog you're on the wrong trail
Bird dog you better leave my lovey-dove alone
Hey, bird dog get away from my chick
Hey, bird dog you better get away quick
Bird dog you better find a chicken little of your own

It makes the games longer but they're much more fun this way.

That is your supervisor that feels that way, but that does not apply across the board. I attended multiple college camps this summer alone with people I do not work for and in the past with people I do work for and it is I was never told not to bird-dog and never heard anyone told not to bird-dog. I know I did it several times during camp and I did not hear a single word about it either way. And bird-dogging is in the CCA Mechanics book which a few of the camps wanted us to use almost religiously when it came to signal mechanics.

Now if you have never seen bird-dogging, either you do not watch college basketball on a regular basis (like this past NCAA Tournament or Championship game) or you are only thinking of what was used years ago. But it was used often enough where I noticed it and by some of the top officials in the country on the Men's side. Women's basketball is different and I cannot speak for that side of the game. I can think of two Final Four Officials that used the bird-dog in the Final Four this year.

Peace

Mark Padgett Is The Joker, He's A Bird ...
 

IAABO Foul Mechanics ...
 

IAABO Foul Mechanics:

1) Sound the whistle while raising one arm, with fist clenched, straight up.
2) Continue holding the foul signal and step toward the player who committed the foul.
3) When clarification is necessary, extend the other arm, with palm down, toward the fouler's midsection.
4) Stop and state the color and number of the player who committed the foul.
5) While at the site of the foul, indicate the type of foul by giving the applicable signal.
6) If a try for goal is involved, check with your partner to see if the ball entered the basket.
7) If the try is successful, signal to count the goal as soon as it is confirmed.
8) Verbally inform the free thrower and partner of the free thrower's number. Visibly inform partner of the number of free throws, if any.
9) Indicate the throwin spot if a throwin will follow.
10) Officials shall confirm the proper procedure when fouls are flagrant, intentional, simultaneous, technical, double, or false double.
11) Proceed to the reporting area.

I never think about it, but do recall using it once in a while for clarification. My suggestion would be to do as you are told by the senior officials or assigners, regardless of what anyone does anywhere else.

Mregor

Something like a "when in Rome" thing? :p