How bad does this look?

[jdw3018]

Originally Posted by Terrapins Fan

So, I am near the table because I report the foul and they tell me " that's 5" And I should turn away from the table, go to my partner, tell him, " that's 5 on #30" and have him go to the coach and say " That's 5 coach"?

To me that slows the game down.

You don't have to go all the way to your partner and get face-to-face. Just turn and make sure you have his attention so he knows not to administer the FT. Give him the quick "five" sign or at least a "hold" sign so he knows to hold up.

If there's a time to slow the game down, it's when you have to take care of an administrative procedure.

Your partner obviously wasn't confirming with you on the shots before administering.

All that said, I've been in games where partners want to make an effort to "speed up the game". While I'm all for hustling to position and not lolly-gagging administrative stuff, this often leads to these types of problems. If you and your partners have, several times before in the game, administered free throws before making eye contact with the reporting official, there was no reason for them to wait for you this time. What did you do to tell them it was different?

There are lots of times we can hustle and take care of business quickly. There are a few times when slowing the game down is critical. There is never a time to get in such a big hurry that both or all three partners aren't on the same page.