To Toss or not to Toss?
 

In a couple of my college games (4 out of 5) this year, I have had the referee on the crew designate me (U2) as the official to toss the ball while they handled everything else the referee is supposed to handle. While I had no problem doing this, I was just wondering whether anybody else has either been designated to toss or designated another member of their crew toss?

I've been thinking about it as I'm not confident in my tosses. I'm OK, but keep changing my technique. I almost did it last night as I was the R. Trying to put it up immediately with out a pause so jumpers don't time me and hit it on way up.

Not to change the subject, but when the R designates another official to throw the jump ball does the thrower or the R administer the new quarter?

Yep.

Yep to two questions? Wow, nice generic answer! :p

At first, I thought we were talking about ejections when I saw the topic. Then I saw it was about the opening jump...sigh...I was hoping it was about salad! :-p

CH1Town -

Good question. I would say the R would continue with his responsibilities. The thrower took initial toss because (1) R designated him to and (2) R felt thrower tossed the ball better. However, I would also think that if the R designated thrower to continue throwin responsibilities for start of each quarter in order to appear consistent this would be allowed. Not aware of any rule that specifically allows/denies.

Ummmmm thanks M&M (I think) :confused:

Decision is up to R.

Oops, sorry - that's what I get for trying to be too quick. I speed-read right over one of the questions...

The R can designate another official to do the opening toss, but the R still maintains all other responsibilities, such as checking the book, speaking with the captains and coaches, administering the throw-ins to start the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters, etc.

Yep, I was. Biggest game of my career to that point. (Actually, to this point, now that I think about it.) I was as nervous as I'd ever been at a game. The R took care of everything pre-game. We go to the table, shake hands with the coaches, then right before the intros and Anthem, he says, oh so casually, "And, Scrapper, you toss it up." :eek:

But whoever tosses to start the game will also toss for any overtime period(s).

Sorry, I was thinking this was one of Padgett's games.

For all the rest of us, Scrapper's advice is correct.

Overtime period, what's that all about?? :D

M&M - thanks ;)

About 6-7 years ago, I was almost knocked out by one of the jumpers during the jump ball; I got hit by his elbow in the back of the head.

Honestly, I was nervous to toss the ball again so I made one of the U's toss the ball for the rest of the season, including HS games. I finally got the nerve to do it again. I tossed the ball last night and I thought about it. I have never forgotten it.

Question - Officials manual states on p20 - "Starting a period - the throw-in to start the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters AND ANY EXTRA PERIOD shall be administered by the R at the division line opposite the table". Shouldn't this be Toss for extra period? Are they referring to the situation where the extra period is starting as a result of a technical foul in which case after T you would administer at the D line opposite table.

I was the referee last night. I designated U1 to toss. But, I told him if we had overtime that he obviously done something wrong and I would toss. :D

Fixed it for ya'.

Thanks, Mark. Certainly gave me a good laugh. Happy Thanksgiving!

There might be another reason to do this.

For example: You're the R on a crew and you've got an inexperienced U2 (first college game, first varsity game, whatever) and you can tell they are noticeably nervous about the game. By asking them to handle the opening toss, you are providing them a way to get involved in the game before the first second tips off the clock -- that way they are engaged with the action, and won't be tentative if they've got to make a big call out of the gate.

Just a thought.

Don't Toss Your Cookies ...
 

Is this true for NFHS? Citation please.

Can't Toss With Them, Can't Toss Without Them ...
 

I know of at least one offcial on our local board who doesn't like to toss, and I know another who always like to toss.

From the inside cover of the 2007-09 NFHS Basketball Officials Manual:

2.2.1B, 3.2.1B The referee may designate the official to administer the jump ball to start the game or overtime.

That's a good thought but what happens when the rook yanks the toss and we have to call it back. We want the best tosser tossing. Not saying that this is the case all the time but I work with about 5 or 6 guys that are 6'6" plus and I think these guys are usually going to be your best tosser due to the fact that the ball is already so high up to begin with. That's not to say that I would toss even if the tall guy was a rook who looked nervous.

We have to remember that our toss along with our first several calls or no calls set the tone for the game and we def. Want to get the game started right with a fair and legal toss. Happy Thanksgiving.

Not to be disagreeable, but I think this is a myth propagated by some big name people at clinics and camps. I think the toss has just about zero importance in today's game with the AP procedure. It puts the ball in play. It's not been eliminated because there's no better way to start the game.

I won't call one back unless I'm laughing too hard to not call it back.

Last night I was working a boys scrimmage. I'm about 5'9" and the two guys jumping were about 6'6" each. I toss one handed, pushed up from my palm. I just knew the guys were going to try to "steal" the jump, so I went to toss it and put a little hitch on and both jumpers jumped early and looked really silly doing it. All their teammates were laughing at them. THEN I threw it up.

...and designating the tosser to start OT...:eek:

I think what Billy was getting at was that whoever tosses the opening jump ball doesn't have to toss the overtime period(s), as 26YG has pointed out.

And/Or, Big Difference ???
 

If Scrapper1 is correct, shouldn't the citation read, "The referee may designate the official to administer the jump ball to start the game and overtime."? Seriously. Inquiring minds want to know.

Hey, I finally figured out how to multiple quote. This may be more fun that posting images.

Happy Thanksgiving.

How many 12 step programs can you take on at the same time?