Preliminary Calls

[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.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Smitty

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.

And now for dessert, who follows the prescribed procedures, particularly as it applies to step 4?

[SAK]

Originally Posted by Smitty

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.

I am looking in my NFHS 2007-2009 NFHS officials manual. On what page did you find this?

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by SAK

I am looking in my NFHS 2007-2009 NFHS officials manual. On what page did you find this?

It's in the '09 - '10 Official's Manual. I left it at work so I will update this post with the page number tomorrow.

[SAK]

Originally Posted by Smitty

It's in the '09 - '10 Official's Manual. I left it at work so I will update this post with the page number tomorrow.

Thats why I cannot find it. I don't have that book yet.

[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.

[FrankHtown]

I try to give a preliminary signal, just to foster better communication with my partners and players. If you give the foul signal, blow the whistle, communicate the color and number of the offending player, and give the appropriate signal, it avoids the always embarrasing question a player asks the Lead when he is administering free throws: "Who was the foul on?"

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by FrankHtown

I try to give a preliminary signal, just to foster better communication with my partners and players. If you give the foul signal, blow the whistle, communicate the color and number of the offending player, and give the appropriate signal, it avoids the always embarrasing question a player asks the Lead when he is administering free throws: "Who was the foul on?"

The preliminary does not tell us who the foul is on. All the signal does is tell us what type of foul. And you can bird dog which is totally optional and you will get some kid coming to you saying that. I do not see how them asking such a question has anything to do with being embarrassed. Your voice should be used no matter what and that information should be heard by most standing around. And I talk a lot during if the foul is going to result in a FT mainly because I want my partner to know who is shooting potentially.

Peace

[FrankHtown]

If I may repeat myself:

If you give the foul signal, blow the whistle, communicate the color and number of the offending player, and give the appropriate signal...