Twenty four or two four?

[Mark Padgett]

No, this isn't about the old Chicago song, "25 or 6 to 4". It's about how we report numbers of players to the score table. I've always been told the proper way is to say the actual number, such as "twenty four", but ever since the NBA officials started using individual digits a while back (i.e.: two four), it seems most of the officials I work with use that method. One guy told me he does it because "it's cool".

Do your assignors direct you or does your association specify which method they want you to use? Do you just use one or the other for some other reason?

Maybe we should take a poll.

[tref]

I haven't heard any directives from our association or assignors, but I've been taught to give the entire number as you do.

[M&M Guy]

For me, it depends on the level. In HS, using NFHS mechanics, I verbalize the individual numerals, two-four, because I display them individually. Using NCAA-W mechanics, I verbalize the number, twenty-four, because I display the whole number at one time.

I know other areas might be different, but the most important aspect is to make sure your scorekeeper understands you. Do what's used in your area, so there's less confusion.

[Welpe]

The chapter I belong to trains us to say the whole number "twenty-four" instead of the individual digits.

[Mark Padgett]

The main reason I was given for using the entire number was that there is much less possibility of confusing the book guy (or hot mom). If you say the individual digits, there's the chance they might hear only the first one and give the foul to a kid with a single number. The real only chance that might happen if you use the entire number is when you report number 14 (assuming the teams are using only legal numbers). I guess if you use the entire number, there's still a (very) small chance they might only hear, for instance, "thirty" when you say "thirty one" and give the foul to number thirty, but that's a long shot.

[Gargil]

I was trained to verbalize the whole number. I started out verbalizing the indivual digits, but was told at 2 seperate camps to verbalize the whole number.

[Pantherdreams]

I say twenty four because up here a two four means you've just asked for a flat of beer.

[grunewar]

Originally Posted by Mark Padgett

Do your assignors direct you or does your association specify which method they want you to use? Do you just use one or the other for some other reason?

Since I began a few yrs back I was always a 2 - 4 person for lack of any direct guidance and I had no problems with it.

However, the other night, one of our evaluators/trainers said to use 24. I was kinda surprised by it as no one had ever differentiated before. But now I go with the flow (shocker). Easy adjustment.

As they say on the ole Forum, "When in Rome......

[dsqrddgd909]

Entire number here in SE Michigan