Your Signal Peeves?

[Freddy]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

We point a finger in the air to alert our partners we're under a minute.

We also give the horns to each other on the 6th team foul and a little sideways two-finger signal on the 9th team foul.

Awareness isn't a bad thing.

Yes, you're apparently referring to the handy, somewhat subtle signals officials give to each other for the sake of good communication and keeping everybody on the crew on the same page. Those kinds of signals, while not prescribed by the Fed, I don't think should be discouraged. And those are the kinds of signals that differ the most, depending on what region of the country you're in. I've learned and now use some of those inter- (intra-?) crew gestures as I've learned them via various partners and instructors at camps. Very helpful. And I'm open to learning more.
Regarding the topic of the thread, I appreciate the uniformity when it comes to the mechanics of the signals as prescribed by the Fed. And I'm wondering whether it has a subtle impact upon the coaches we work with, too. When I was on the dark side (coaching), I always considered the uniformity of the crew to be an indication of their credibility. Like it or not, when the crew was uniform and clear in its mechanics, I'd be hesitant to challenge their judgment calls. Perhaps it was the appearance of professionalism that prompted me not to question their judgments as often.
I'm enjoying the responses to this thread, and have logged them on the pregame list I use when working with newbies. I thank you for the responses thusfar!