In need of a trick

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by doubleringer

I'm looking for a trick to help me out. I work about a half varsity, half small college basketball. A couple of times a year I find myself dropping the number of a player committing the foul. I did it the other night in a blow out game (the only person in the gym that knows I dropped it was me and maybe the kid that got charged with the foul, but he didn't say anything). I need a trick to help me make sure I don't lose numbers again. Anyone got anythinig useful? I'm not looking for suggestions on what to do when it happens, I know I can go to my partners, players (women's college encourages this) and the bench officials. I'm just looking for something I can do in my head to make sure I quit dropping numbers.

I can't shake it myself. For some reason, I tend to focus on my shooter and drop the fouler. Slowing down seems to be the key.

Along that line, If I give up a foul on a double whistle and point to calling partner, on occasion partner will point back at me to take it, by that time, I've purged everything. Hasn't happened lately, but when it does, I don't like to look stoopid at table.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by fullor30

I can't shake it myself. For some reason, I tend to focus on my shooter and drop the fouler. Slowing down seems to be the key.

Along that line, If I give up a foul on a double whistle and point to calling partner, on occasion partner will point back at me to take it, by that time, I've purged everything. Hasn't happened lately, but when it does, I don't like to look stoopid at table.

Especially in SE Washington.

[fullor30]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

Especially in SE Washington.

I was going to throw in an eagles have landed reference!

[doubleringer]

Thanks. All good suggestions. I think you hit it on the head when you say slow down. I work quite a bit and as the season goes on, I get on a bit of autopilot and probably are too quick leaving the play and going to the table. I don't do much for preliminary signals as a Women's memo or something I saw early this season asked us to get away from all of the preliminary signals.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by doubleringer

I don't do much for preliminary signals as a Women's memo or something I saw early this season asked us to get away from all of the preliminary signals.

There's a difference between "preliminary signals" and "communicating with your partners what you have at the spot."

[Juulie Downs]

I have started saying the fouler's number and then the foulee's number right after each other as if it were a PIN for the ATM. It helps me keep them both, so that I know I have the right shooter. Say them a couple of times to myself on the way to the table.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Juulie Downs

I have started saying the fouler's number and then the foulee's number right after each other... It helps me keep them both, so that I know I have the right shooter. Say them a couple of times to myself on the way to the table.

Good for you. I gave up trying to do that many, many years ago after reporting the foulee's number to the table on several occasions. Heck, I have difficulty remembering both numbers on a double foul on the way to the table.

Now if I could just find my keys?

[Vinski]

I’ve had this problem as well at times. I find that verbalizing the color and number of the fouler, like others have said, really helps. Take an extra couple of seconds to replay exactly what happened in your head before going to the table to report. I’m currently trying to make this a habit. For some reason, though, I have a tough time slowing down. But it definitly helps when I do it.

[dsqrddgd909]

Originally Posted by Vinski

I’ve had this problem as well at times. I find that verbalizing the color and number of the fouler, like others have said, really helps. Take an extra couple of seconds to replay exactly what happened in your head before going to the table to report. I’m currently trying to make this a habit. For some reason, though, I have a tough time slowing down. But it definitly helps when I do it.

Good suggestion. I blew one Saturday, Boys F. I think part of it is that on some of these boys the jersey folds over on the number, particularly in front.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by dsqrddgd909

I think part of it is that on some of these boys the jersey folds over on the number, particularly in front.

I tend to see this more in girls games. And I hate staring at their chests waiting to catch the number. It makes me feel like "a dirty old man".

[chseagle]

What happened to the old trick of having the person that fouled raising their hand until the foul is reported?

[Loudwhistle]

Originally Posted by chseagle

What happened to the old trick of having the person that fouled raising their hand until the foul is reported?

This would require players actually believing they fouled while playing. The way some players react when I call a foul on them you'd think I accused them of being a serial killer or that they watch The Biggest Loser in their spare time!!

[chseagle]

Originally Posted by Loudwhistle

This would require players actually believing they fouled while playing. The way some players react when I call a foul on them you'd think I accused them of being a serial killer or that they watch The Biggest Loser in their spare time!!

Very true, considering I've seen a player foul then look at the reporting official with a deer-in-the-headlights look like they didn't do anything, or try arguing with the official (or the coach argues) that they didn't do anything wrong.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by chseagle

What happened to the old trick of having the person that fouled raising their hand until the foul is reported?

It disappeared in the 1970s.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

It disappeared in the 1970s.

Wasn't it still a rule in the 80's? I remember doing it when I played, but can't remember if it was still a rule or if it was still just part of the tradition.