Words can't describe.... this video.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by mbyron

1. It is a bad signal, for the reason I gave (your personal use of it notwithstanding).

2. Bringing in the "tipped ball" signal to this discussion is a famous Rutledge red herring: there's no comparable reason to discontinue using that signal.

3. The issue is not whether the signal communicates something, but whether it's the best way to communicate that content. Specifically, is it better than the mere absence of a whistle? Given its drawbacks, the answer is no, IMO.

4. You are, of course, free to ignore this reasoning and to keep doing it your way. That's not a reason supporting your view, though.

To say something is a "bad mechanic" is very subjective in the first place. And to use the "approval" of one organization is even worse IMO. I remember hearing that same logic about the "not closely guarded" signal as well because it was not approved. Then for some reason the NF adopted it like they do a lot of other mechanics other levels use. And honestly I would not be surprised in a year or two a "tip signal" is approved considering the NCAA allows both Men's and Women's sides to use that signal. And I see officials use it all the time.

Now I did not say anything about whether it was a good mechanic or not. That was not the point. The point was that in this situation right or wrong the use of not use of a signal was not going to make that much difference as to whether the coach went off in my opinion. Coaches go off no matter what we do or do not do. And you can be sarcastic all you like, but just read this site, there are all kinds of coaches going off and a signal was not the cause.

Peace