Captains/Coaches Pregame meeting
 

I'm the "R" for the first time in a few days and will lead the pregame captains/coaches meeting.

Suggestions?
Topics that you like to address.
Lessons learned?

By this time they've listened to it a lot. Keep it short:

- Speaking captains
- Sportsmanship
- Address any uniform/hairband/issues if there are any
- Coaches: Respect the box and let us know if you want a 30 or full TO.

"Speaking Captain"???
 

Question 1:
Where and when did it originate that more than one representative from each team comes for the conference with the officials? :confused:
3-1-1 states, "Each team consists of five players, one of whom is the captain."
Now, I'm not saying I'm against it. I just find it somewhat odd that up to four members of each team come for a meeting, although only one can be the designated captain.
Shucks, why not just make it a meeting for all players of each team? That's something I don't consider all that bad an idea. Heck, let's skip the middlemen and just grab a mike and address the entire gymnasium for a pre-game conference! :D

Question 2:
Where did that designation "speaking captain" come from? :confused:
We never had it back in the 70's or early 80's, but I notice it has gained wide use now. Is that the adopted title now, to distinguish the one actual captain from the others who join him/her for the meeting with the officials?
This seems to be the application of 3-1-2, "The captain is the representative of his/her team and may address an official on matters of..."
But how many of you, when addressed politely by any player, would say, "Wait a minute, I can't answer your question--you're not the speaking captain"?

Question 3:
After the game starts, I kinda forget who the captains are, anyway. I'll answer any question from any player asking in a sportsmanlike manner. If I really need to remember who the captains are, I'd want them to each wear an armband or some identifiable item that shows to me they are the captains. Okay, they're marked as "captains" in the book, but I've never had a need to go back and find out who they were in order to carry out any responsibility as an official.
Have any of you really ever had a need to identify who the captains are in a real game situation?

Tentative Conclusion (pending your reaction and response, of course): This "speaking captain" thing seems to have become about as impractical and irrelevant as the statement, "Okay guys, tonight we're gonna play the black line all the way around."

Or am I off base on this? (Not to be confused with "off the baseline". :D)

(Sorry if it seems I'm hijacking your thread. I'm just trying to determine whether you should leave that foreign phrase "speaking captain" out of it.)

I agree. I see other officials asking who is the speaking captain before the game but I have yet to see or even hear of a situation come up where knowing who the speaking captain was has been useful.

When is the last time you saw the captain leave the meeting and go tell the rest of the team what we just told them? It is a little silly to have the meeting with just a couple of guys anyway. The more of the team that wants to listen the better. I cover sportsmanship, keep your ears open so we can try and keep you out of trouble, be ready to come in the game when you check in, and have a good time. I try to keep it simple and upbeat.:p

All I think it does is help delegate "some" leadership with the kids. I usually write down the numbers in the book and when crap goes wrong, I try to use those players when I can. Hardly happens, but that is what I do.

Never. That is why I say as little as possible.

Peace

Are you only using the speaking captain or any of the "captains" who came to the meeting?

Speaking captain.

Speaking In Tongues ???
 

I don't ask for speaking captains in my pregame. I will speak to anyone who approaches me politely.

That said, I've had many partners, who, as the referee, not only ask for speaking captains, but also ask if that speakng captain is starting? What if they say no?

I had a pregame this year with quad-captains from each team. There were twelve of us out there. I could have used a microphone like Freddy suggested.

My partners and I have used the speaking captain from time to time to try to help "clean up" things from time to time. This is especially true in high school "rivalry" games. If it is one player, we can address the player. If it escalates to a number of players bumping one another, etc., we will speak to the captain from each team to ask that they help us avoid having to take action. When teams are slow coming out of the huddle, we will mention it to the coach. We also mention it to the captain.

As JRut points out, this RARELY happens, but everyone once in a while it does.

In Central Ohio, we meet with the captains at mid court before the game.
1. We introduce each other.
2. We only mention the floor markings if there is truly something unusual (for example, there is one gym that has a dark green line about 2 feet inside the black out of bounds line on ONE end of court. We mention this to specifically to the visiting team since we frequently saw the visiting team commit violations at that end of the floor when we did not mention it).
3. We remind them of the importance of sportsmanship.
3. We tell the players we are going to hustle for them and do our best to give them a good and fair game.
4. We tell them that we intend to enjoy the game and tell them to have fun.
5. Any questions?

We then speak to each coach individually.
1. We introduce ourselves.
2. We show them the coaching box markings IF there are multiple sets of lines.
3. We ask if their players are properly equipped.
4. We remind them of the importance of sportsmanship.
5. We ask they their players are ready to play when they check-in (uniform tucked in, etc.).
6. We ask them to let us know the type of time out when we ask.
7. We tell them we are going to hustle for them and do our best to give them a good and fair game.
8. Any questions?

Generally, less is more during these sessions.

Isn't the R supposed to verify with the captains that their teams are ready for the game to start (or some verbiage like that in 2-Referee's Duties)?

And, I have used the captain to help with a teammate issue, or to get the team out of the huddle promptly at the end of a time-out, etc.

What do you do if the speaking captain isn't in the game?

Happens once in a while, I use the jumper. I can never remember the other 3 or 4 players that were at the meeting.:)

When I am the R, I go with the 12-10-2 schedule. (Captains at 12:00, book at 10:00 and coaches at 2:00.)

I never ask for speaking captain. IF I have three players out there who I am discussing sportsman ship with, why would I tell two of them to ignore the next few seconds? Thats what is happening when you signify a speaking captain. Here's my spiel to Captains:

With the Coaches its even shorter.:

I like to copy from the ones that I hear. I steal with pride.

In KS we only do one meeting by request of KSHSAA. We are required to ask.

Coaches, are the players properly equipped?
Players are you prepared to demonstrate good sportsmanship?

After that, the longer the worse. Be short and to the point.

Mine is

Players and coaches if you have a question ask it politely and professionally and we will answer is when we have time.
Players, put the ball in the basket, it makes for a better game.
Listen to us and we will talk you out of a few things.
Have fun!

I also do not ask for speaking captains. It's pointless, IMO. I'll speak to any player, as long as they are respectful. I also think asking for a "speaking" captain can be demeaning to the other captains.

I start with the coaches and I move quickly:
1) Coaches, are your players properly equipped?
2) Please let us know on the timeouts whether you want a 30 or a full.
3) Have the players ready to go on the 2nd horn.

Players:
1) There are 3 (or 2) of us, and 10 of you. Please help us by demonstrating good sportsmanship by leading by example. If you notice a problem, please come to us during a dead ball.
2) Keep your shirts tucked in and help us with the loose balls. Stop play on the whistle.
3) Have a great time and good luck!

I know some guys who mention playing defense with your feet and to not handcheck, but that just gets you into trouble. I would never advise bringing up how you are going to call the game. That can only be used against you.

T

So what is the point of knowing who the speaking captain is if you are just going to talk to anyone? I understand how situations come up where one wants to talk with a player but I don't really see the need to designate one person in specific as the guy to talk to. I doubt that guy will be playing the entire game anyways.

Oh good lord, are you serious? Then what about the other players still warming up that weren't asked to come to the captains meeting at all? They must really feel like crap.:rolleyes:

I dont ask for speaking captain as all the players on the court can speak. If I have a problem with a player I will speak to them, or worse case I will just mention to the coach. 100% of the time that fixes any issue that might have occured. Also for most of the partners that I do have, when I remember to ask them in the third quarter who were the speaking captains they dont have the faintest idea.

"You Are Correct, Sir" (Ed McMahon) ...
 

I believe that you are correct, but I will ask any captain, or if they're not starting, which is very, very rare, I'll ask all ten players on the floor, "Ready?".

Also, the referee doesn't have to toss anymore. He, or she, may designate a tosser.

When In Florida, Do As JOEADVANTAGE Does ...
 

Just pulled this off the NFHS forum from JOEADVANTAGE, who, I believe, is from Florida. Take your pick:

The NFHS and (insert your state here) require officials to enforce sportsmanship rules. High school athletics emphasize positive values. All of us have worked hard to create a sense of teamwork, respect, responsibility and perspective. We remind you that we expect good behavior and will quickly penalize misconduct. We encourage and appreciate your help. Let this competition reflect mutual respect among all participants and officials. Coaches please certify that your players are legally equipped and uniformed according to NFHS rules. Good luck and have a great contest.

The FHSAA requires officials to enforce all rules regarding unsportsmanlike conduct by players and coaches. Violators will be ejected. It is strongly suggested that you remind teammates and coaches of this policy. Additionally this is a reminder that jewelry is not allowed, and jerseys must be tucked in during play. Coaches, do you certify that your players are properly equipped and will demonstrate sportsmanlike behavior during todays contest?

The longer I think about this, the more useless team captains become. From habit and based on the way things are in my area, I have always asked for the spokesperson for a team. I always mark them in the book, although I have never had to address them.

I know that a team consists of 5 players, one of whom is the captain. If it is done in a courteous manner, the captain may address an official on matters of interpretation or to obtain essential information. Maybe this is why I determine that there is 1 captain. You never know when a captain may need an interpretation or obtain essential information.:rolleyes:

I think that I will continue to identify a spokesperson (the one and only actual captain of the team) and I will continue to mark them in the book. And i will continue to inform that same captain (or the jumper in his absence) when the game is about to start. When in Rome . . . :cool:

They just want to get back to warming up. If you say more than about 3 sentences, they've checked out on you anyway.

I'm Ray, this is Bob.

Coaches, are all your players legally equipped? We're happy to answer questions and listen to your concerns as long as you're in your box and not trying to talk across the floor to us.

Captains, you've got a job to do tonight. If you'll keep your guys under control, we can focus on getting the calls right. Deal?

Good luck.

1) "Coaches, are your players legally equipped and prepared to play?"
2) "Coaches, players, you're required to display good sportmanship at all times during the contest."
3) "Coaches, let us know if you want a full or a 30. If you don't tell us, it becomes a full."
4) "Good luck. Have a great game."

I get a speaking captain because I ask if they (and by extension their teams) are ready before the jump. I also circle the numbers in the book in case I need it later.

"Who's in charge? (speaking captains answer here). Guys, good sportsmanship tonight. You don't want us to get involved in that area. Good luck tonight, have fun."

The end. If it takes 20 seconds, I've taken too long.