Pre Game Conference

[derwil]

I'll add as well to quick pre-game with table personnel:

1) Introduction w/ handshake
2) Have you done this before?
3) Any questions?
4) Remember you're part of my crew tonight. That means - Don't talk with others around you, pay attention to what's happening on the floor and turn your damn cell phone off.
5) Help me keep subs here and out of the way until we call them in
6) Let me know when we get to 6 fouls each way.
7) (To the clock operater) You make sure they (the scorers) talk and keep the books straight. Any problems let someone on the floor know.

I will also make the scorers sit together or close to the clock operator. I will also run off any of their "friends wanting to help".

Pre game w/ coaches & players:

1) Intro w/ handshake
2) Coaches - Everyone legally & Properly equipped? Are they going to stay that way for the entirity of the game?
3) Coaches - Please exibit good sportsmanship and set a good example for your team tonight.
4) Captains - Who's the speaking captain?
5) Captains - Ladies/Guys I just ask that you keep control of your team. If you see someone getting crazy, take care of it before I have to.
6) Captains - Play hard and have fun!

End of conference.
Goal is to cover what is required, emphasis that they are responsible for player actions on the court and keep it short. No need to go into a rules seminar or what to do if a contact goes out.....they won't remember it 10 seconds from when you said it. The teams are focus on the games and warmups and the faster you get them back out there, the happier they will be.

True story - first big varsity game, I'm calling with two guys that have been to state and, at least to me, were pretty big shots. Boys game, rival schools crowd was PACKED. In Tennessee, we used to do a player only pre-game @ center court. So the captains meet the three of us at center court and the R says the best pre-game ever: "Guys, don't start no **** and there won't be no ****". Both captains said yessir and trotted back to the benches.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by derwil

Who's the speaking captain?

I'll talk to any player, even noncaptains, if they approach me politely.

Also, I've had partners ask a followup question after "Who's the speaking captain?" once they identify themselves: "Are you starting?"

In my opinion, keep the pregame as simple as possible, stick to what is required by the rulebook, and/or by local, or state, authority.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Also, I've had partners ask a followup question after "Who's the speaking captain?" once they identify themselves: "Are you starting?"

NCAA requires the R (in practice, it's the tossing official) to "notify the captains when play is about to begin at the start of the game." The easiest (?) way to do that is by getting the name and asking, "xxxx, is your team ready? xxxx, is your team ready?" before the toss.

I don't think that requirement is in the FED rule book. It might be in the mechanics manual. I tend to use the mechanic anyway.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

NCAA requires the R (in practice, it's the tossing official) to "notify the captains when play is about to begin at the start of the game." The easiest (?) way to do that is by getting the name and asking, "xxxx, is your team ready? xxxx, is your team ready?" before the toss.

I don't think that requirement is in the FED rule book. It might be in the mechanics manual. I tend to use the mechanic anyway.

The same approximate language is in the FED book under OFFICIALS GENERAL DUTIES- 2-1.

[CLH]

Originally Posted by derwil

"Guys, don't start no **** and there won't be no ****". Both captains said yessir and trotted back to the benches.

And that's the only time those players every listened to a pre-game conference...everything else the 1000 times before, went in one ear and out the other

[chseagle]

Originally Posted by derwil

I'll add as well to quick pre-game with table personnel:

1) Introduction w/ handshake
2) Have you done this before?
3) Any questions?
4) Remember you're part of my crew tonight. That means - Don't talk with others around you, pay attention to what's happening on the floor and turn your damn cell phone off.
5) Help me keep subs here and out of the way until we call them in
6) Let me know when we get to 6 fouls each way.
7) (To the clock operator) You make sure they (the scorers) talk and keep the books straight. Any problems let someone on the floor know.

I will also make the scorers sit together or close to the clock operator. I will also run off any of their "friends wanting to help".

This is the more comprehensive & complete table pregame I've ever seen. Generally the table pregame I'm used to is "Any questions" & "Are you ready?".

The guideline listed above should be written into the Officials Manual.