Free throw instructions
 

I did my first three man game since camps last summer, and had two really good partners- It was great!

When I administered a free throw, I said "One and one- Play the miss" before bouncing the ball to the shooter. After the game, one partner (Board member on our association that I respect a lot), said that I should only say "one shot", "two shots", or "one and one". No other instructions.

It is common in our area to include phrases like "Wait 'til it hits the rim" or other instructions when administering a free throw, but I think I will follow my partners advice and go to just giving the number of shots.

What do you guys say when administering a free throw?

I will tell them "one and one".... and thats all, on one shot I will say, "one, let it hit", but thats all I generally say. I've been told simple and short is best! So I've tried to follow that.

Keep it short. Players should know that they are supposed to play on a miss on a one and one or a last free throw. :)

For very young players, something like "one, let it hit" (as per co2ice suggestion) the first couple of times might be useful. (I'm glad that in FIBA players don't have to wait the ball hits. I'm glad also we don't have one and one any more.)

Ciao

Only state the number of shots.

Unless there is something going on that you want to address. If they have been close to getting into the lane early.... "wait for the hit". If the post play is getting a little too physical.... "let's clean it up in the post".

Just little reminders that you are watching.

I don't know why, but I typically say "let it hit."

Do not, however, say "let it hit the rim." That's not the rule. They can also come in once it hits the backboard.

Just the Facts, Ma'am -- 3x
 

I've learned to only state what the shot(s) are gonna be. Any preventative instruction regarding feet breaking the lane plane early are handled as necessary. After any preventative instruction regarding entering the lane too early, one follow-up call for a violation pretty much halts any future violations.

At camp they drilled into me this one thing that's become automatic now. They taught me to state and signal the number of shots three times, once to the C, once to the free thrower, then once to the T/table (same gesture). It's quick, easy, and ensures that everyone is on the same page. Anybody else do that? Anyone see problems with that?

"One," "two," "three," or "one and one."

You Don't Have To Be A Mathematician To Figure This One Out ...
 

That pretty much takes care of all the permutations.

P.S. Does anybody remember that old "three to make two" NBA rule? Whatever happened to that?

Logic prevailed.

Your partner has it right. I do it exactly the way that he advocates. I was taught that right from the beginning. The instructor in my very first class stated that comments such as "play the miss" are poor because of the psychological effect on the shooter. I am unqualified to judge whether there is any truth to that or not, but it seemed to be an interesting point to me and I have always remembered it.

Also, I NEVER tell the players to "relax on the first" or "catch your breath" when administering the first of multiple throws. I once watched an old-timer with a peculiar sense of humor tell the whole gym "OK, great I'll go get a cup of coffee," when his partner did that! :eek:

One, two, three, one and one. Just me, It's like nails on a chalkboard with all the extra 'chatter'.

Sometimes I will say "1 time" on the last shot. No clue why. Sometimes it just comes out.

I only report the number of shots to be taken, and I do not include phrases such as "play the miss".

However, I do use preventative phrases if someone was close to violating on a previous FTA, or if the post play is getting rougher, etc...

I've really been working on eliminating the extra talking from my game, which used to include "let it hit". After "2 shots" I still say "guys/ladies".

Thoughts on whether I should I lose that too?

I Hope This Doesn't Make Me A Hypocrite ???
 

I guess that I don't follow my own advice. After posting the above yesterday, I did a game last night and remembered one, and only one, additional comment that I make on a regular basis. I almost always say, "Double bonus, two shots" the first time it happens for each team in each half. Just in case the players are wondering why we're shooting two when the fouled player was not in the act of shooting a missed try.

I'd lose it, just my personal preference. Have an official here who always says "gentlemen", drives me nuts. Another guy, emphasizes 'two' with a high pitch like a cartoon character:eek::eek::eek:

Yesterday,
 

Had a Boys Varsity game where the announcer raised his voice into a staccato and almost falsetto "two" when saying "xxx is shooting two!" After awhile I was tempted to imitate when talking to the players, but deferred.

I will offer my preference for simplicity: "One", "Two", "One-and-one"

But, depending on circumstances I will embellish with "Made basket, One throw", "Bonus, One-and-one", "Double bonus, Two".

Wait...
 

... does he carry over 'gentlemen' for girls games too!?!

also, sounds like he flew out to announce my game yesterday.

Lose it.

What's a "double bonus?" IOW, lose that, too.

"Alright Ladies/Gentlemen, here we go, we got two, deep breath,relax on the first one." (this is all said after a good 5-6 seconds when everyone is lined up, ready and he has the stage, and THEN the speech is drawn out)

I wanna strangle him..........

And WTF?, I've had 2 partners in the past few weeks (both in youth rec situations) say on the first of a two free-throw situation, "the first one is dead."

any chance...
 

... he has a 'lengthy' pre-game conference with captains?

"Okay, here's how we're going to call the game tonight...."

"2 times"

"1 more"

"1 and 1"

"Black line all the way around..."

We're gonna watch for hand checking, and we're gonna try and talk you out of the lane, and we're gonna watch for palming, and we're gonna watch for illegal screens....

BTW, I figure if "let it hit" is the most extranious thing I say all game, I'm fine.

If two shots, it's 'two' if one shot, it's 'play'. When we are in the last few seconds (< 10) I will add a mention on the last shot to, 'check your clock' before bouncing the ball to the free throw shooter.

Do you think that they will stand around and do nothing otherwise?

WTF??? :confused:

I find that high school players understand that less is more. Sometimes when we say 'one-an-one' after the 1st made basket, players will return to offense and defensive positions, clearing not understanding the phrase, 'one and one' and awaiting the 2nd throw while standing in the blocks. The word 'play' lets everyone know that on this shot play will resume.
I'm sure its frustrating for a coach and maybe the players when the team has the ball and is still dribbling or passing the ball when time expires. The mention to 'check your clock' is a reminder for both teams that time will expire very soon. I have noticed that after saying that, some, (not all) players actually check the clock and I've got to believe, have there thoughts focused on gettng a shot off in the waning seconds, or maybe having the moxie to call a TO (if one is needed).

So you're coaching the players? You can't even really couch that in "preventive officiating," that's just plain coaching.

Or perhaps you could just say "One" and leave the coaching to the coaches?

Keep instructions to a minimum, I agree. But having said that, it is amazing to me how little some players at the varsity level know about the game situation at times, whether they have been told or not. A player is fouled on a layup in the first 15 seconds of the game. "How many shots, ref?" Or, on the 7th foul, we announce 1&1, first shot is made, and half the players start to the other end of the court. etc.

Agreed. I usually follow this with, "One more, fellas." That's when you see a lot of light bulbs turning on.

Wow ! coaching?? how do you get that out of 'check your clock'? I suppose then during a 'long' time-out you don't inform the team that the 1st horn has sounded? or when lined up for free throws you don't indicate how many are to be attempted? or that you don't talk to players to de-fuse a situation? If you do any of those, then you must be guilty of 'coaching' as well. Welcome to the club...

You should not care what a team is doing when time expires or if their actions frustrate their coach. Your job is to officiate the action, not direct it.

You are unfairly impacting the game by alerting whichever team ends up with possession following the FT attempt to the clock situation or possibly the defending team which can now opt to employ a strategy that they otherwise would not have (purposely giving a foul). That kind of awareness is the responsibility of the team members and coaches.

You need to stay out of this as your advice could be seen as helping one side or the other near the end of a tight ballgame. That is WAY outside of the purview of an official. The game officials are to be neutral observers, adjudicators, and administrators of the contest.

Sorry, if this seems like people are jumping on you, but we really want you to understand how your comments can be taken and prevent you from landing in a seriously ugly situation.

There is a difference, Ray.
Stating 1st horn to the huddle is a required mechanic and stated in the NFHS Officials Manual.
Informing the players how many FTs are to be attempted is also a required mechanic.
Talking to the players if there is an altercation is a gray area. Some officials do it and some don't. Some are good at it and by doing so can help control the game, some aren't great communicators and have learned that the players just get more unhappy when they are engaged in that manner, so they refrain from such talk. There is no clear proper method for that.

However, what you are doing by saying "check your clock" is totally uncalled for in any administrative manual and can only be seen as offering extra advice to the players. A very poor idea.

LIke I said, one is preventative officiating. Preventing violations, fouls, etc. Some argue against it, others use it. It's expected.

But reminding them to check the clock so they are sure to try to get a shot off? Seriously? If you can't tell the difference, I can't help you.

Do you count down for them, too, so they don't forget?

I doubt you'll find a HS aged player that doesn't know what a one-and-one is. Do they get brain farts and do something silly, yes, but they're not misunderstanding. Either way it's not our job to make sure they know what to do.

Don't know where to begin...so I'll leave it simply as don't do this.


First of all, stating "first horn" on a "long" (or in fact a "short" :rolleyes:) timeout is required by our mechanics. So is indicating the number of FT's. Talking to player to defuse a situation is GOOD game management. The rest of what you are suggesting is nothing close to GOOD game management.

So I can't yell "watch out,half court trap"? It would give better flow to game and less fouls................darn.

Haha!

"One-Shot. White is going to press on a made FT, so red, make sure you set up the press break offense on the make, transition offense on the miss. Let it hit. Check your clock, not much left. Play."

You forgot, "Ladies/Gentlemen," to start.

I address the players as Ladies/Gentlemen. It has served me well. I have even received complimentary comments from coaches about it.

I Ref a local Rec League (12B) with a guy who does a pretty good job, but has little to no formal training. He is constantly shouting, "Hands Up! Hands Up!" He shouts for the entire gym to hear. Meaning of course watch your hands on D, don't reach. He must shout it 50-75 times a game. Gives me a friggin headache (ranks up there with, "Ball, Ball, Ball!" but, he's my partner!).

I said to him once, "Look, I know what you mean - but, just call the game. Let the coaches coach the players. It's not your job." He hasn't taken me up on my suggestion yet.....:(

I usually say "one" and then have said "and if he makes it the game will be tied and you guys in the white jerseys should run a screen and roll like you did last trip down to try to tie the game" Is this coaching a little too much?

Then he'll take you up on your suggestion ...
 

We've had a few threads on this ("Ball, Ball, Ball!") before, and most of us have decided that although it's as irritating as hell, it's not unsporting, and, in regard to the players, we can't do much about it. But in this case, I would make an exception, and "Whack" him.

I do as well, but not every time I administer a free throw; and it's never the beginning of a yoga class.

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.

Exactly, I'm just saying...
A whistle & leaving looks a lot better than yelling "ballgame" & leaving.

I used to use "ladies" as well, but a couple of years ago I had an evaluator (yes, she was a female evaluator) absolutely crawl up my back about saying "ladies" (see also, "girls, "gals" and "chicks"). Now, if I use anything at all, I say "players"...which helps because then I don't have to remember if they're boys or girls! :D

I bounce once or twice and that's it, just personal preference, any delay in inbounding and a short toot.