Your Signal Peeves?

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by fullor30

Do you want to look sharp or do the right mechanic?

My signal pet peeve is people who don't understand that all mechanics, including signals, exist to serve us. Not the other way round.

Signaling mechanics facilitate communication, on multiple levels. On the surface they communicate our decisions. How the signals are executed communicates deeper, more important information. A sharp looking signal communicates confidence, experience, control. A shabby looking one conveys the opposite.

With signals, the mechanic isn't "right" if it doesn't look sharp. And since we all differ a little physically, we don't all look the same way when executing the same signal. What looks sharp from you may look terrible from me. So a slight variation on any signal that still clearly conveys the surface information, but which an official can execute with much better presentation is better IMHO.

[j51969]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

My signal pet peeve is people who don't understand that all mechanics, including signals, exist to serve us. Not the other way round.

Signaling mechanics facilitate communication, on multiple levels. On the surface they communicate our decisions. How the signals are executed communicates deeper, more important information. A sharp looking signal communicates confidence, experience, control. A shabby looking one conveys the opposite.

With signals, the mechanic isn't "right" if it doesn't look sharp. And since we all differ a little physically, we don't all look the same way when executing the same signal. What looks sharp from you may look terrible from me. So a slight variation on any signal that still clearly conveys the surface information, but which an official can execute with much better presentation is better IMHO.

Well spoken, and very true.

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

My signal pet peeve is people who don't understand that all mechanics, including signals, exist to serve us. Not the other way round.

Signaling mechanics facilitate communication, on multiple levels. On the surface they communicate our decisions. How the signals are executed communicates deeper, more important information. A sharp looking signal communicates confidence, experience, control. A shabby looking one conveys the opposite.

With signals, the mechanic isn't "right" if it doesn't look sharp. And since we all differ a little physically, we don't all look the same way when executing the same signal. What looks sharp from you may look terrible from me. So a slight variation on any signal that still clearly conveys the surface information, but which an official can execute with much better presentation is better IMHO.

Everyone has their own 'game'. I agree with you 100% regarding differing physically and what may look sharp etc. That said, I don't care for the thumbs for a 30. Much ado about nothing really

Just me.

[Back In The Saddle]

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.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

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.

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.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

The other night I used the proper "teapot" mechanic for some subconscious reason.

Watch out. You're treading on thin copyright infringement ice.

The I'm A Little Teapot, Short And Stout Signal © 2009 BadNewsRef
The use of the phrase, "I'm A Little Teapot, Short And Stout Signal", without the express written consent of BadNewsRef is strictly prohibited.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

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.

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

[Back In The Saddle]

That would be why I ref and no longer play.

[ripcord51]

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.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by ripcord51

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".

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.

[tomegun]

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.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by tomegun

...

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

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

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

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.

[tjones1]

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

YouTube - High-Stress REF

[j51969]

Originally Posted by tjones1

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

YouTube - High-Stress REF

His mullet is awesome!