Thanks for clearing that up. We were told in our preseason rules clinic that even if the ball hit the backboard first it still had to hit the rim before players could go in ...

Ugh! Unbelievable for a rules clinic.

Rule 9-1-4: The restrictions apply until the ball touches the ring or backboard or until the free throw ends.

Hey, that's good for you.

Ladies/gentlemen on every free throw?

Holy smokes! :eek:

You are in Vegas, so please tell me that the guy with his picture in the front of the rules book didn't give that instruction.

I wouldn't say every FT, but perhaps 97%.

For example:

"One, Ladies."

"Gentlemen, one and one."

That I can live with...........

The ref I'm refering to is annoying on many levels. When he punches 'and one' it registers 7 on the richter scale.

That's because everybody has come to see him, right? Wow.

Well, at least there's one good thing: He's making his partner look all that much better.

I say it on throw-ins: "Ballgame, ladies" or "Ballgame, gentlemen"

FWIW, there is some (not universal) instruction on the NCAAW side that we *shouldn't* use the term "ladies" (or anything else).

That is what I yell as I leave the visual confines of the playing area after time has expired in the 4th period. Yelling "ballgame" lets everyone know that the game is over.

Why do they need to know that? Wouldn't the fact that you left be enough of a clue?

Saying that around here brands you as a rec-league ref (with all the negativity that goes with the label).

I only hear this from "rec-league" umpires, myself ;)

Isn't that what the officials whistle after the horn is for?

Uh-oh. Here comes another "whistle or no whistle" detour. ;)

It ain't over 'til it's over ... or until the fat man clears the visual confines.