Sometimes the Training Works as Intended!

[ref3808]

First games tonight. 7G girls game and then 8G boys. Some nerves but remembered for the most part to slow down and think things through. The only time that I had an obvious problem was when I called player control and kind of fumbled on the signal as I started to go straight arm instead of behind the head. Might have missed a couple of travel calls and I made a note to myself to work on recognizing the pivot foot. Had a great experienced partner to work with who was kind enough to say that no one would have known it was my first assignment. All in all a good night. Can't wait to get out there again. Thanks to all the experienced folks on this board who share their experiences and make us newbies the better for it.

[grunewar]

Good for you!

[Bad Zebra]

Originally Posted by ref3808

First games tonight. 7G girls game and then 8G boys. Some nerves but remembered for the most part to slow down and think things through. The only time that I had an obvious problem was when I called player control and kind of fumbled on the signal as I started to go straight arm instead of behind the head. Might have missed a couple of travel calls and I made a note to myself to work on recognizing the pivot foot. Had a great experienced partner to work with who was kind enough to say that no one would have known it was my first assignment. All in all a good night. Can't wait to get out there again. Thanks to all the experienced folks on this board who share their experiences and make us newbies the better for it.

And another one is hooked. Welcome to the fraternity. See Billy Mac for the secret handshake.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by ref3808

I called player control and kind of fumbled on the signal as I started to go straight arm instead of behind the head.

Before the advent of a the three point line (three point attempt-foul in the act-made or missed basket), the player control foul was probably the hardest foul signal to get used to. There is usually a local flavor with the use of this signal, and sometimes what you see on television isn't the same as the NFHS signal chart. And sometimes you don't have to see different signals on television, you may see high school officials in your local area, who also officiate NCAA, using NCAA signals in a high school game. Or you may see veteran officials using "old fashioned" signals.

I've seen a lot of variations here in my little corner of Connecticut. Many will start with the fist in the air stop the clock signal, while others will go right to the type of foul signal without a stopping the clock signal. Some will go to the back of the head, while others will use the team control fist punch for a player control foul. Some will verbalize, "Player control foul", while some veterans will verbalize, "Offensive foul".

I believe that the correct NFHS signal is to start with the fist in the air stop the clock signal, follow with a back of the head player control foul signal, point the direction of next possession, point to the designated spot, and of course, remember to give the no basket signal if the ball went in the basket. Although the mechanic manual may not state this, I would suggest that you verbalize, "Player control foul", rather than any other verbiage.

But be careful here. As I said earlier, this signal tends to have a local flavor, so check with your local interpreter to find out the "recommended" method to signal a player control foul in your area.

If a single, hesitant, player control foul signal was your biggest problem in your first game ever, then you have a bright future in front of you. I'm still trying to forget my first game ever, and that was almost thirty years ago. I keep having these reoccurring nightmares.