Preliminary Calls

[MelbRef]

Our association has told us that we should do a preliminary call in only four foul situations:

- Block
- Player Control Foul
- Team Control Foul
- Hand check

I can't find it in the NFHS rule book.

What do others do?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by MelbRef

Our association has told us that we should do a preliminary call in only four foul situations:

- Block
- Player Control Foul
- Team Control Foul
- Hand check

I can't find it in the NFHS rule book.

What do others do?

Well this is not a rulebook issue. The rulebook does not dictate the mechanic standards except for the actual signal. Nothing in the rulebook talks about the procedure of calling a foul mechanically. This could be an NF Manual issue, but that is only if your area actually uses that book (many do not).

The preliminary signal should be done every time in theory. But sometimes it is not really that necessary on such an obvious foul or call. This is one of these....."When in Rome....." situations.

[zebraman]

Originally Posted by MelbRef

Our association has told us that we should do a preliminary call in only four foul situations:

- Block
- Player Control Foul
- Team Control Foul
- Hand check

I can't find it in the NFHS rule book.

What do others do?

Our HS association does it according to the NFHS Official's Manual. We give a preliminary signal for every foul.

For college games, we only give prelims for block, P/C or handcheck.

As Rut says, do what is accepted in your area. Sounds like you might have some collegiate officials who are the "powers that be" in your HS association.

[rsl]

I got the same advice at a clinic this summer, but the fed's basketball officials manual says give a preliminary on all fouls. See 2.4.2 B (two man) or 3.4.2 (three man). It gives eight steps to follow at the point of foul. Preliminary signal is step 4.

[BillyMac]

OFFICIALS’ MECHANICS AND SIGNALS. Communication and consistency remain the most important elements of good officiating. It is essential for officials to be familiar and comfortable with proper NFHS officiating mechanics and signals. The primary reasons for utilizing only approved NFHS mechanics and signals are:
• Effective court coverage related to Primary Coverage Areas.
• Effective communication between officiating partner(s).
• Provide immediate information and feedback to coaches, players, scorers, timers and fans.

Signals are used to communicate and should never be used to call attention to the official. The majority of signals are used to indicate what has or is happening. Approved NFHS signals are dignified, informative and meaningful. The use of unauthorized signals frequently confuses, because the meaning is unknown. Problems are also created when officials engage in “hit and run” officiating. This occurs when an official blows the whistle and immediately leaves the area without taking the time to follow the proper procedures for calling the foul or violation. Signals should be given in a manner that is calm, under control, unhurried and professional.

[Mark Padgett]

I like giving a preliminary signal for flagrant technicals.

[CLH]

NCAA-W

Preliminary signals for

Block
Charge
Handcheck
Technical
Double Foul

[Rich]

Originally Posted by rsl

I got the same advice at a clinic this summer, but the fed's basketball officials manual says give a preliminary on all fouls. See 2.4.2 B (two man) or 3.4.2 (three man). It gives eight steps to follow at the point of foul. Preliminary signal is step 4.

Depends on whether the powers to be in your area care.

[IREFU2]

Originally Posted by MelbRef

Our association has told us that we should do a preliminary call in only four foul situations:

- Block
- Player Control Foul
- Team Control Foul
- Hand check

I can't find it in the NFHS rule book.

What do others do?

I dont give prelims, not in College or HS. Keeps me out of tons of trouble!!!!!

[SAK]

Preliminary signals are supposedly required in NFHS basketball. In PA you will not work a state playoff game unless you give preliminary signals for every call. It is one of the requirements.

The preliminary signal is there there as a tool that we are "required" to use in high school basketball. It allows us to communicate with our partner(s), fans, coaches, and players immediately, on the spot. Preliminary signals can also keep us out of trouble. I feel like the preliminary signal goes along with selling a call.

I have gotten out of the habit of giving preliminary signals and am working on getting back into the habit of using them. They are helpful, especially when you look good doing them.

[JPaco54]

Originally Posted by IREFU2

I dont give prelims, not in College or HS. Keeps me out of tons of trouble!!!!!

Originally Posted by SAK

Preliminary signals can also keep us out of trouble. I feel like the preliminary signal goes along with selling a call.

I would think prelims would keep you out of trouble but curious if IREFU2 and SAK could expand more on their thoughts of prelims. Thanks!

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by JPaco54

I would think prelims would keep you out of trouble but curious if IREFU2 and SAK could expand more on their thoughts of prelims. Thanks!

I know IREFU2 is referring to the possibility of a Blarge.

But I think the meat and potatos of this discussion is the proper mechanical procedure from the point it is established that an official is making a foul call to the time he/she reports it to the table.

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I know IREFU2 is referring to the possibility of a Blarge.

But I think the meat and potatos of this discussion is the proper mechanical procedure from the point it is established that an official is making a foul call to the time he/she reports it to the table.

This is clearly stated in the NFHS Official's Manual:

1. Inform the timer and alert the scorer by sounding the whistle with a single sharp blast while raising one hand, fist clenched, straight and high above the head.
2. When clarification is needed, delay and extend the other hand, palm down toward the fouling player's hips (bird dog signal)
3. While holding the foul signal, move toward the play and near the fouling player, stop and verbally inform the player that he/she fouled by stating the jersey color and number.
4. Lower the foul signal and indicate the nature of the foul by giving a preliminary signal.
5. If a team control foul, signal in the direction of the non-fouling team's basket. If a shooting foul, verbally give free-throw shooter's number to the shooter and the other officials. Visually give the number of free throws to the non-calling official.
6. Indicate the throw-in spot if a throw-in will follow.
7. If a basket has been scored, signal to count as soon as it is legally scored. If a try attempt is not to be awarded (whether or not the attempt is good), immediately wipe off the attempt with the appropriate signal.
8. Do not be in a rush to leave the play area if players are in close proximity or on the ground. Attend to the dead-ball situation at the point of the play before leaving to report to the table.

[SAK]

Originally Posted by JPaco54

I would think prelims would keep you out of trouble but curious if IREFU2 and SAK could expand more on their thoughts of prelims. Thanks!

I agree that to avoid the blarge when 2 officials have a call the official whose primary the foul occurred in should take the call. However, communication is also a good thing in this situation.

Over communicate and under officiate.

The simple act of communication by using the preliminary signal may avoid problems because everyone now knows what the call is. It does not appear that the official had to think about the foul while he was on his way to report it to the table. It also can show confidence. When we look confident, we are taken seriously and are more believable.

[IREFU2]

Originally Posted by JPaco54

I would think prelims would keep you out of trouble but curious if IREFU2 and SAK could expand more on their thoughts of prelims. Thanks!

We can all say what we will do and wont do. But at the end of the day, the pregame will really dictate how to handle this. My big concern is the infamous Blarge and there has been times where I have held my prelim (FED) and my partner has had a different call and gave a prelim. The key is trusting your partners and holding your whistle for a sec, especially if it not in your area. My mentor always says, be slow to blow!!!! On another note, there is no reason to rush, blow the whistle, signal the violation or foul, then take a quick peak at your partners, then give the prelim. If the call is right in front of you or in your area of responsiblity, then there shouldnt be a problem. Its the areas of intersection and/or drives to the basket from the outside that gets us in trouble.