Basketball is a game of finesse....not for one who is all thumbs.

That would be why I ref and no longer play. :p

I called a foul in my first game of the year as Lead on a play that was on the other side of the basket from me. I saw a DVD of the game and I absolutely got the call wrong. It was a clean block (which I couldn't see from my position) and with a little bit of incidental contact down low. I learned my lesson for the season. :)

I still work with a dude who after every "jump ball" still feels it necessary to point and declare the numbers of the two opposing players that will be "jumping it up" He has even asked me for clarification to make sure he gets the two players correct. Then after all that proceeds to go to the arrow. Drives me crazy.

Wayback Machine Set To 1983 ...
 

That's because you want to be sure that the two players involved jump, rather than having a tall "ringer" switch with one of the "real" jumpers... Wait a minute... Never mind.

http://thm-a02.yimg.com/image/5c5d45d13a93e120

Couldn't agree more!
 

I had this during a game. Lead made the "clean block shot" signal while the trail called a foul. I explained to the official why this is a bad mechanic. We now have two officials with two different calls. One has a foul, one has a blocked shot.

It's like two umpires in softball making a call at the same base, one safe and one out!

If you don't have a foul, then don't raise your fist! To me this is just an attempt to get everyone off your back for not making a call on a clean block.

That's exactly what it is.

HS or lower officials using NBA signals.

A few years ago, I was at an 8th grade girls game where the official used the NBA "Loose Ball Foul" signal. I had to resist the urge to ask if that meant we also had defensive three seconds. :D

I would like to see a signal for basket interference- the NBA has one.

Our association permits the 2 hand point. I don't have the IAABO book infront of me so I can't recall whether they do or not.

point with 2 fingers or a full hand, if that is the weakest part of an officials game I think they are doing just fine.

Oldie, But Goodie ...
 

How about, "Three to make two."?

LOVED that rule. It didn't help Billy McGinnis though. Playoff game - missed all 3 and I think one was an air ball.

These Are The Best ???
 

College players only get two to make two. High school players only get two to make two. Middle school players only get two to make two. Fourth graders only get two to make two. Why did some of the best basketball players in the world need three shots to make two? Rick Barry, Calvin Murphy, and Bill Sharman never needed three to make two.

Summary of PET PEEVES (from previous post)
 

A Consensus of Non-Fed Signal Pet Peeves
Universal (or nearly so) to Everyone’s Area, Region, Planet, and Universe

1. Upward circling finger when free throw fails to hit the rim
2. Blocking foul signal that looks like the chicken dance
3. Over-the-back signal that looks like Superman flying
4. Timeout signal using a T motion
5. Brushing of palms together to indicate a clean blocked shot
6. Reporting numbers to table with two hands
7. No stop/start clock with raised open hand
8. Directional point angled toward the sky
9. Choppy, short visible counts
10. Double personal foul signal to report a full timeout
11. Thirty second timeout signal pointing thumbs to shoulders with pinkies out
12. Hammering the fists on hips for a blocking foul
13. Travel signal for a throw-in designated spot violation
14. Lazy little fist bump to start the clock
15. Running hand up and down the line to indicate out-of-bounds violation
16. Safe signal to communicate no foul
17. Commonly indicating with two fingers that the goal is for two points, not three
18. Pointing “on the floor” to indicate the player has not started his shooting motion
19. Inbounding and covering side of mouth like coughing when blowing whistle
20. Frankenstein Creeping Death/Zombie signal for “over the back”

You forgot one.

21. Partner not using any signal at all and allowing game to go into overtime. :mad:

You Caught Me Red Fisted ...
 

Guilty. I'm so ashamed. I ran out of gas. I had a flat tire. I didn't have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn't come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts. It wasn't my fault, I swear to God. (Apologies to "Joliet Jake", A/K/A, John Belushi)

Do I have to turn in my patch?