I find the objection to the thumbs on a 30 interesting. Around here everybody uses the thumbs. But in the past couple of weeks I have begun using the proper mechanic for this (ironically I'm making the change as part of conscious effort to stop mixing mechanics from different levels). I'll tell you what, it just doesn't feel right. I need to try this in the mirror and see if it looks as awkward as it feels. If I can't make it look good, I'm gonna have to go back to the thumbs. :D

That's funny, the other night I used the proper "teapot" mechanic for some subconscious reason.

I'm working some tournament games next week, I'm pay attention to see what other refs are doing.

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Our instructional chair, new to the position this season, has college and pro basketball experience. He is also an associate of mine and we talk about things dealing with his position often. During our last meeting he told everyone that it is OK to report using two hands. As expected, some people were not happy and one official came to talk to me about it. I heard him out and offered him this compromise: once we start getting all of our plays right, we will worry about reporting with one hand or two. In the big scheme of things, it just doesn't matter. What matters more is introducing video clips to meetings, every meeting. What matters more is attempting to introduce absolutes into our game for consistency. What matters more is hustle and getting in the best position to see plays.

BNR has been around me enough to know I do like a friendly debate on mechanics though. :D

Would that include the mechanic of the Lead official calling on the other side of the paint?

You said that just so I could grit my teeth huh? I was watching a game the other night. A player gets the ball near the post on the other side of the paint from the lead. The kid makes an up-and-under move - tweet, and one - from the lead. [Grrrrrr] It wasn't a play that the C couldn't clearly see. I ask him about it after the game and he says, "It was right in front of me." So, I ask how it could be in front of him when the moved started outside the paint on the other side of the lane. He still says it was right in front of him even though it wasn't. He walks away and his partner tells me, "He was doing that the whole game." I will be discussing this with his crew chiefs, who happen to be my friends.

Here are my signal peeves... he's got some good ones though. :D

YouTube - High-Stress REF

Boy, he's in trouble now.........:rolleyes:

1. Frankenstein
2. Travel signal for a throwin violation.
3. "Let it hit the rim" on free throws.
4. Foul tip on blocked shots.

not necessarily in that order.

Had a two man tourney game yesterday and I'm trail as defender in my primary hacks shooter down low, I signal foul and partner does foul tip sign from other side of paint.:(

Is Frankenstein what I call the "creeping death foul?"

I'm not sure either. I'm guessing the really stiff, quick herky jerky moves. Kind of like old white guys dancing :D

Exactly. AKA "zombie." And the worst part is it's usually verbalized as "over the back."

Haha!! haven't seen that one in years!

I had a guy use the first signal AND say 'over the back' the other night.
But is was closer to THIS:
http://www.chicagostagereview.com/wp...cula-film1.jpg