When there is a scramble for a lose ball in the middle third of the court, what way does "Stay Here" indicate?

Stick with the colors. I don't think I've said a wrong color more then once every few years....(when I meant the other color, not getting the call wrong.)

I've pointed the wrong way far more often than saying the wrong color....not a common thing, but relatively speaking.

In that particular play I would either go with a color or a "That way" with a point. In all honesty it would all depend on where I was positioned. If I am getting taken out by a player diving for a loose ball then I'd go color. VERY difficult to give a hand signal while getting a chop or cross body block! I may be wrong but those types of plays don't happen very often in a game. But that is just me.
I would further add, that I am not adverse to using color and do so on some occasions (can't put a number on it) but this is just a mechanic I picked up that has helped and I like and have had no negative reprecussions (or CONCUSSIONS) for that matter!

All helpful advice. In my experience, it's much easier to get the color right than the point. It is very effective to call out the color and delay the point until you figure out the direction. I have also come to realize that in that moment of panic and doubt it feels like it's taking us weeks to figure out the direction, but almost always nobody notices the delay.

From my experience and observation:
* Early in our careers we want to make the call as quickly as possible. We feel like we're "on it like Blue Bonnet". In reality we're rushing and don't look confident and in control.
* Soon we develop a calm and rhythm to our mechanics. Quick whistles and emphatic salesmanship are held in reserve for close calls.
* At some point we discover the virtue of the little pause, whether to sneak a peek at the benches, or to read the players' body language to help when you're not sure
* Finally we learn to alter our rhythm to control the game, sometimes hustling the ball back into play, sometimes slowing and injecting a deep-breath moment when the pace gets out of control.

Post of the Week.

I know it brought a tear to my eye. But I agree

no, No, NO! ALWAYS say the color. In my opinion, this is not debatable.

We can live with pointing wrong. Worst case is a couple of players look at you funny, you correct it, and go on. If you don't say the color, you look like you are giving in to a player asking you to change the call.

And saying the wrong color and changing doesn't look even more like you caved?

I think you may want to look at the symptoms of why you are struggling with this play. Generally, slow down, don't be in a hurry. Many out of bounds plays "call themselves." The players all heading in the other direction is usually a good indication of what happened. Make sure you "see the whole play." If your positioning isn't good, you may only be seeing the middle or finish of the play and therefore not getting the call correct.

It would, but it has to be dramatically less likely to occur than pointing the wrong direction.

Absolutely, I agree pointing in the wrong direction is more likely; but verbalizing the wrong color looks worse than pointing the wrong direction IMO. Do you have situation A, which looks less bad but happens more often verses sutation B which looks far worse (IMO) but happens rarely (the OP didn't say how often he does it). Which would you rather fix first?

Also, assuming a given official only struggles with B and not A?

Also, I was responding to Texas Aggie who said "If you don't say the color, you look like you are giving in to a player asking you to change the call." Frankly, I disagree with this completely. This looks less like caving than if you delay for a split second.

Yep, this is a good key and will be a personal POE going forward. That's what I saw on my cards more than once during camp last summer. That, and "enjoy the game," at which I am getting much better. I am hooked.

Kool-aid anyone? :rolleyes: