T to Start the Game

[Spence]

First game of a JV/V doubleheader. We come onto the floor at 15 minutes and the home team is nowhere to be found. At 12 minutes they're still not on the floor so I go to the table to check the book. Rosters are listed for both teams but the home team has not designated their starters. Our association usually likes to have the clock stopped at this point in order to avoid the technical foul. However, no one is at the clock so it can't be stopped. I tell the home scorekeeper to quickly go find the coach.

Coach and team come strolling out and he finally marks the starters with 7 minutes remaining. I inform him that we will be starting the game with a technical. He tries to tell me the clock should not have started and its two minutes ahead of his watch. I inform him that we don't go by watches.

Two questions.

Would you have handled it any differently?

What is the procedure for starting the game with a T? I informed the official scorekeeper that we were starting the game with a T and to mark down a team foul and note the team technical. I then administered the free throws.

Do I need to make any sort of signal to indicate why we are starting with free throws?

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by Spence

Our association usually likes to have the clock stopped at this point in order to avoid the technical foul. However, no one is at the clock so it can't be stopped.

Do you not know how to stop the clock?

[Spence]

Originally Posted by Smitty

Do you not know how to stop the clock?

Fair question. Lets say I did stop the clock and it still took 3 more minutes before the coach showed up?

[tjones1]

Yes, I likely would have handled it differently.

That said, this is a team technical. 10-1-1.

Charged to the team, and counts toward the team-foul count.

2 free throws and ball at division line for throw-in. AP arrow is set towards the other team's basket when the ball is at the disposal of the thrower for throw-in.

[Spence]

Originally Posted by tjones1

Yes, I likely would have handled it differently.

That said, this is a team technical. 10-1-1.

Charged to the team, and counts toward the team-foul count.

2 free throws and ball at division line for throw-in. AP arrow is set towards the other team's basket when the ball is at the disposal of the thrower for throw-in.

I did all that you mentioned.

Tell me what you would have done differently? I'm not pleased with starting the game that way.

[Scratch85]

Originally Posted by Spence

Two questions.

Would you have handled it any differently?

What is the procedure for starting the game with a T? I informed the official scorekeeper that we were starting the game with a T and to mark down a team foul and note the team technical. I then administered the free throws.

Do I need to make any sort of signal to indicate why we are starting with free throws?

In my area, we are not terribly strict with pre-game administration during regular season games. We become strict during post season tournament. We get very little guidance on this from the State Association. I would have made adjusments to avoid the T but that can't be supported by rule.

IMO, no signal. Just inform coaches and table and do as you stated. Of course, set the AP when the ball is at disposal.

[tjones1]

Originally Posted by Spence

I did all that you mentioned.

Tell me what you would have done differently? I'm not pleased with starting the game that way.

I would have got the starters when I verified the book with the coach.

If I would have went this route, I wouldn't make any signal. Just make sure everything is recorded correctly in the book, made sure the coaches knew what was going on - get the shooter(s), shoot the throws, and start the game.

[Spence]

Originally Posted by tjones1

I would have got the starters when I verified the book with the coach.

.

Even if it was at the 7 minute mark?

[tjones1]

Originally Posted by Spence

Even if it was at the 7 minute mark?

In my area, yes. Your area may certainly be different and your local/state association or supervisor may want things exactly as you called it.

My area is different. It's certainly not uncommon for the scorer to be still putting in the names and numbers at the 12 minute mark. Good scorers in my area are hard to come by and I'm certainly grateful for any help we can get at the table. Therefore, for me, it's not a pressing issue as long as I can get them when I verify the book with the coach.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by tjones1

I would have got the starters when I verified the book with the coach.

If I would have went this route, I wouldn't make any signal. Just make sure everything is recorded correctly in the book, made sure the coaches knew what was going on - get the shooter(s), shoot the throws, and start the game.

Originally Posted by Spence

Even if it was at the 7 minute mark?

Verifying the book with the coach isn't universal practice. Here, we're a little relaxed on the book stuff for JV games. We don't make a practice of stopping the clock to ensure everything is good, we just don't worry about it. And in this case, not having the starters noted wouldn't have been noticed, honestly.

[tjones1]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Verifying the book with the coach isn't universal practice. Here, we're a little relaxed on the book stuff for JV games. We don't make a practice of stopping the clock to ensure everything is good, we just don't worry about it. And in this case, not having the starters noted wouldn't have been noticed, honestly.

True, and I understand that.... check local listings.

[chartrusepengui]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Verifying the book with the coach isn't universal practice. Here, we're a little relaxed on the book stuff for JV games. We don't make a practice of stopping the clock to ensure everything is good, we just don't worry about it. And in this case, not having the starters noted wouldn't have been noticed, honestly.

We don't stop the clock here either. We walk over at 10:00 minute mark and look at official book. The info is in there, or it isn't. If the scorer is inputting info at that time we assume that they had the info before we came over at 10 minutes. Now, if we see coaches trying to make changes after that time it's a different story. Also - we are a bit relaxed if school shows up late due to weather or bus problem. Then we ask that the coach get the information to the scorer asap.

[jimmpaull]

The advise that you have been given regarding 10.1.1 is correct. To avoid this situation, you could have sent a team rep to the locker room to either have the coach report to the scorer's table or to have the coach tell them who the designated starters were. If the official scorer was familiar with the home team, you could have asked him/her to indicate in the book who the starters were These are not perfect solutions, however they could have helped to prevent the "tech". May I ask why you would have a problem starting the game with the "tech"? It's just another rule. Consider, if you saw an obvious travel, block/charge ete, I'm sure that you would have no problem making that call. Treat this obvious administrative "tech" the same way. Once the coach has earned this tech, I'll guarantee that he won't let it happen again which will make it easier for you and/or any others who work his games in the future.

[Hugh Refner]

Originally Posted by jimmpaull

Once the coach has earned this tech, I'll guarantee that he won't let it happen again.....

You're kidding, right?

[RookieDude]

Originally Posted by Spence

What is the procedure for starting the game with a T?

I have a general rule of thumb...if I don't know how to administer something...I do not call it.

I would rather MISS something...than CALL something and get it wrong in the way I administered it or that it wasn't even supported by rule.

(Moral of story: Dive into the books and know how to administer what you call.)

Also...around here we pre-game:

15...12...10...2

Get on the court by 15,
Get captains at 12,
Check book before 10 (R goes right to table after captains meeting)
Meet coaches at 2:00 mark...visiting coach first.