Preliminary Calls
 

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.

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.

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.

NFHS 2009-10 Point Of Emphasis ...
 

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.

I like giving a preliminary signal for flagrant technicals. :D

NCAA-W

Preliminary signals for

Block
Charge
Handcheck
Technical
Double Foul

Give a preliminary signal, among other times, when you need to sell a call. Play: kid holding the ball gets bumped and steps out of bounds (or travels) and you call a foul. Everyone reacts to what the one with the ball did rather than the contact. Go ahead and give the push signal after the whistle and fist in the air.

In IAABO we have to give prelims on every foul :(

I find it tough to stop doing that (habit) when attending higher level camps where prelims aren't neccessary for each call.

Swinging back & forth from HS to NCAA mechanics/signals on a nightly basis must be a challenge.

We have to do them all the time for college and high school. Does this mean everyone uses a preliminary signal all the time? Of course not. This just goes to show it matters where you actually live and who you actually work for. ;)

Peace

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

Are those prelim signaling situations specified in the NCAA-W Manual?

FED you're suppose to give a prelim signal for all fouls.

I'm just happy we don't have to bird dog every single call.

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

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.

I'll check it out for ya...I'm speaking per my conference coordinators...so as far as I'm concerned, yes it's in there...I wanna keep my job!!! ;)

Prelims - keep me out of trouble or causing trouble
 

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.

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?

The CCA womens manual says that double fouls and intentional fouls should be signaled at the spot...pg 92

C and T officials should withhold signals when there is a double whistle with the L...it goes on to speak sternly about withholding signals...then when the officials confirm who's taking the call, a signal should be given...pg 115-116

This is really all it says about prelimary signals. My previous statement was made my supervisor as well as several of her staff who have worked the Final Four....when in Rome!!! ;)

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

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.

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.

Gah, how I have to get out of the habit of doing the bird dog. Don't do it every foul, but I watched myself on tape the other day and didn't realize how often I did though.

Around here we're required to give preliminary signals on EVERY foul. Bird-dogging is optional, but quite a few guys do it.

We get reminded about this a lot, probably because a lot of guys put the fist up and rush to the table.

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.

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

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...