Got a quick question...don't have my Fed. mechanics book handy...in Fed. games, do we give a preliminary signal of the foul calls, or just verbalize?? In other words, when I call a foul on "White, 52, push" do I show the push signal at that time...I know at the table we do color, #, show foul signal but don't say anything, but have gone brain dead on the prelim signal at the spot...thanks in advance...

In my chapter (Fort Worth Texas), we are told to use the signal and verbalize when making the preliminary call and to verbalize when reporting to the table. I also don't have my mechanics book with me but I am fairly certain it was not one of the Texas Exceptions listed at the camp I attended in August.

But, I could be wrong...it's been know to happen :D

Why in the world does this come up at this time for you?

Both
 

You do both. This might be taught differently across the country, but you should say what happen and signal. Now the table mechanics <b>are a different story.</b>

Peace

I am helping out with a rookie class for our HS Assoc., and I flat out could not remember last night at the class...so I had them do the prelim signal as they learned, using the "logic" that it would be easier to take it out later than it would be to try to add it back in...

FWIW....

I was taught to use a prelim signal, with the exception of block/charge, only to help sell a call if necessary.

According to the 2001-2003 NFHS Basketball Officials Manual, the calling official should "verbally inform the player that he/she fouled by stating the shirt color and number" and then "indicate the nature of the foul by giving a preliminary signal" (pg. 35). At no time is the official instructed to verbalize the type of foul. (Although as Andy mentioned, an official may sometimes say "Block!" or "That way" to indicate his call on a bang-bang play immediately, instead of waiting to give the shirt color.)

Chuck

Thanks Chuck...that's what I was looking for...

In Missouri, at the spot of the foul we try to teach a (4) step method.
(1) Stop the clock with the fist, (2) point to the fouler, (3) show type of foul at the spot, (4) point to spot of next throw in or show number of free throws.

This method has created consistency with all officials.