PRE-Game Conference

Alright how many of you guys actually have a good pre-game conference with your partner(s) before the game?

And those of you who do what do you talk about? Do you have a check-list you use, do you use a board to go over situations that may occur.

What are the MOST important things you ALWAYS pre-game? (Block/Charge, Communications....)

I am trying to improve my pre-game with my partners. Thanks for your thoughts

[M&M Guy]

I try to ALWAYS have a pre-game. The higher the level, the more likely it's required by the assignor or supervisor, but it is just as important in the lower levels.

As far as the type of pre-game, that will differ between levels, and will change over the course of the season. For example, in a higher level game we might discuss the teams' records, their offensive and defensive tendencies, and perhaps who are the "problem" players. At a lower level, it might be a discussion about what type of contact will we allow, or how we will switch on fouls. Also, in either case, at the beginning of the season we will discus any new rule changes or POE's, but by the end of the season we won't go over those as much as we will discuss different plays and how they were/are/should be handled.

For me, one constant at any level is communication. Whether it is official/official, official/player, official/table, or official/coaches, if communication is good all the way around, the game seems to go much smoother.

If you search below, you might also find some older threads on pre-games.

[bc7]

As a first year official, I found that the partners that I had that had a thorough pre-game were much easier to work with. I worked with some guys who would honestly just ask how I was doing, and and then head out to the floor. Others would go over a checklist, and talk about positioning while demonstrating on a clip board.

I always try to discuss the essentials (double whistles, technical foul situations, etc. etc.) with my partner. It seems like something usual will happen if we didn't discuss it pre-game.

[PIAA REF]

I think having a good pregame is crutial. I think it helps clear your mind of everything else that may be going on in your life and gets you focused on what you need to do at that given time. I ususally create or modify my pregame every year slightly. I go over the basics like was mentioned in previous post, Court coverage, double whistles, game administration, ect. I also depending on whom I am with may get the magnet board out and go over a play or 2 if I feel it is needed. I like going over the drive to the basket from center when a secondary defender steps in for a block/charge situation. I like to talk about who should have that whistle. I like to limit double whistles to as little as possible. I also will go over having center bring in subs when we are in transition. I like to get myself and my partners minds into the game before we hit the floor.

[JBleach85]

I try to always do a pre-game with my partner before a game at the Freshman or JV level. Normally those game you have enough time before game time to do a few thing to make sure you are both on the same page. When I do JV games I always try to do a pre-game. Even if I am doing two games before that and I am switching partners for the JV game I will try to do it either before we come out onto the floor, or even taking about 3 to 5 minutes while standing out on the floor talking. I found this to be very benificial when teams don't come out until like 11 minutes until game time. It gives me a chance to talk to my partner and allows us to see what match-ups we might have if either of us has had either team before.

There was only one time I was unable to do a pregame and that was because my partner showed up 10 minutes before game time and we really didn't have a chance to do it. That game was actually a good game, we worked before so we knew each others tendencies but still having a pre-game makes a difference no matter what type of game you have.

I'm out,
JB

[IREFU2]

Originally Posted by mattk

Alright how many of you guys actually have a good pre-game conference with your partner(s) before the game?

And those of you who do what do you talk about? Do you have a check-list you use, do you use a board to go over situations that may occur.

What are the MOST important things you ALWAYS pre-game? (Block/Charge, Communications....)

I am trying to improve my pre-game with my partners. Thanks for your thoughts

I always have one as well. We go into change at the start of the 4th quarter and talk about plays as well as a script that I go by. I also have a quick on with the table crew while I am checking the book.

[BubbaRef]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

I try to ALWAYS have a pre-game. The higher the level, the more likely it's required by the assignor or supervisor, but it is just as important in the lower levels.

As far as the type of pre-game, that will differ between levels, and will change over the course of the season. For example, in a higher level game we might discuss the teams' records, their offensive and defensive tendencies, and perhaps who are the "problem" players. At a lower level, it might be a discussion about what type of contact will we allow, or how we will switch on fouls. Also, in either case, at the beginning of the season we will discus any new rule changes or POE's, but by the end of the season we won't go over those as much as we will discuss different plays and how they were/are/should be handled.

For me, one constant at any level is communication. Whether it is official/official, official/player, official/table, or official/coaches, if communication is good all the way around, the game seems to go much smoother.

If you search below, you might also find some older threads on pre-games.

How's come the 2 games we worked together we didnt have any pre-game?

[M&M Guy]

Well, if you've been lurking here long enough, you know the meaning of the following:

Shut up.

[BubbaRef]

Originally Posted by M&M Guy

Well, if you've been lurking here long enough, you know the meaning of the following:

Shut up.

I'm just here to stir the pot like GNN would..

[grunewar]

Pre-games were emphasized by our Association this year. I work mostly sub-V and always arrive early and try to do a pre-game......if my partner arrives in time.

I have a checklist/list of topics and paragraphs that I read and then, if my partner gives a crap, we'll discuss them in detail. I've had some interesting conversations with some of my better partners this year and it really helps me understand their philosophy before we take the court. Plus, I learn a bunch.

I've also learned to discuss the action at half-time and post-game. For me, these are usually self-critiques - I didn't like my angle here, I missed a travel there, what did you think of this call, what's your opinion on this action, etc? And, if my partners done something really good or made what I believe to be a great call I especially like to acknowledge it too

When I get a chance to sit in a V pre-game or half-time I find it very interesting and listen closely and learn. Some have involved me in their talks and asked my opinion or what I saw (I've caught some good ones).

If my partner is really late the most important thing I will relay - communications! Keep good eye contact with me and never put the ball in play unless I can see you and know its coming.

[BillyMac]

Here's mine:

PREGAME CONFERENCE

Lead’s Primary Responsibilities
Primary coverage area. Post play. Illegal screens at elbows

Trail’s Primary Responsibilities
Primary coverage area “works the arc”. Weak side rebound coverage. Drives starting in primary. Last second shot, basket interference, goaltending. Bring subs in

Stay in your primary, it must be obvious to come out of your primary. Seldom should have four eyes on the ball. If something is there that needs to be called, call it. We’re not going to have too many double whistles if we are doing this right. Keep in mind your boundary line responsibilities and last second shot responsibilities. Put the ball in play where it goes out of bounds or where the foul is.

On double whistles, let’s both hold our preliminary signal and not give a block or player control signal. Make eye contact with each other. Give the call to whoever has the primary coverage, most often the lead official, unless you definitely have something different that happened first, in which case we’ll talk about it.

For out-of-bounds help, let's get it right. Come together for a change if needed. If I have no idea and I look to you for help, just give a directional signal. No need to come to me. Just point. If you don't know, give me a jump ball signal. If I signal but I get it wrong then blow the whistle and come to me. Tell me what you saw and let me decide if I’m going to change it.

On throwins, count five players each team, check the table, check the clock, good eye contact before putting ball in play. A hand up in the air by the off official means not ready.

Be consistent with each other. If I have a very close block/charge play and I call a blocking foul, then the next time you have a similar block/charge play, you should have a blocking foul. Let’s try to remember what we’ve called earlier in the game, and what we haven’t called. Be consistent with what has already happened in the game.

Communicate at sixth and ninth fouls. We don’t want to be surprised when it’s time to shoot the bonus. If we know that the next foul will result in bonus free throws, then we’ll be more likely to remember our shooter. Off official should help identifying free throw shooter.

Check the clock after every whistle to make sure the clock stops properly. Check the clock every time it should start to make sure it does so.

Near the end of the game, be aware of coaches calling time-outs and be sure to inform them after they have used all their time outs. Let’s not put the whistles away in the last two minutes: That wouldn’t be consistent with the way we’ve been calling the game. We’re not calling anything in the last two minutes if we haven’t already called it earlier in the game, unless it’s so blatant that it can’t be ignored. If the game dictates it, let the players win or lose the game at the line. We don’t want to be the ones who decide the game by ignoring obvious fouls just to get the game over. If the winning team is just holding the ball and is willing to take the free throws after strategic fouls, then let’s call the foul immediately, so the ballhandler doesn't get hit harder to draw a whistle. Let’s make sure there is a play on the ball by the defense. If there’s no play on the ball, if the defense grabs the jersey, or pushes from behind, or bear hugs the offensive player, we should consider an intentional foul. These are not basketball plays and should be penalized as intentional.

Discuss coaches personalities and how to manage them. Scorebook at 12:00. Coaches and captains meeting at 2:00: players properly equipped, players wearing uniforms properly, practice good sportsmanship.

NFHS BASKETBALL RULES CHANGES:
Any item that goes around the entire head (elastic strips/bands, pre-wrap, headbands, etc.) shall meet the rule requirements regarding color, maximum size, logo restrictions and team uniformity. Black and beige have also been added
During a free throw, all players will move up one marked lane space, leaving the two spaces closest to the end line vacant. A new mark (2 inches by 8 inches) must be reapplied to the lane
A maximum of one technical foul shall be charged directly to the head coach when a participant wears an illegal jersey, illegal pants/skirt or an illegal number.

NFHS POINTS OF EMPHASIS:
1. Legal Uniforms
2. Rough Play
3. Time-outs
4. Slapping the Backboard
5. Officials’ Mechanics and Signals

CONNECTICUT MECHANICS:
Point to floor for two-point field goal try when shooter has foot touching three point line.
No long switches when foul is called in the backcourt and there is no change of possession or direction.
Team members are not allowed to congregate at midcourt during introductions. Officials will direct players to free throw line area in front of respective benches.
Coaching Box must be marked. If home coach and/or home management refuse to designate coaching box with tape, the home team will not use a coaching box for that game. However, the visiting team will be allowed a coaching box. Notify Board Secretary, or Commissioner the next day.