in-game signals between officials

[Adam]

Originally Posted by lpneck

One of the things that I have found useful in my area is that a number of timers go above and beyond the call of duty by having an electronic device to communicate the final minute of each period installed upon the wall of the gymnasium. (Some schools have even installed one upon each wall.)

The timer is then able to communicate to my partners and I that we are in the final minute of the period by changing the number before the colon (or "leading digit" as it is sometimes referred to in my area) from a one to a zero.

It may be a complicated process in order to get that digit changed- I'm not sure, as I am only a floor official and not a timer. But the ones who do this successfully are among the most professional and outstanding timers that I have the privilege of working with, and I find it a great help in managing the game.

I can't speak for other areas of the country how this information is communicated, but it works well here, and might be something you should research and discuss with your school's administration and/or your state association.

Hope that helps.

I've heard rumor that there is a similar divice that does the same thing for the shot clock. I do know that, in my area (all three places I've worked, actually), there's an additional piece of that equipment that somehow magically displays the number of fouls each team has earned. Some of them have a special marker for the bonus that gets triggered at six fouls.

I don't pretend to know how this magic works, but it works here.

[Back In The Saddle]

'Round these parts it's common for partners to use index+pinkie or thumb+pinkie to indicate an upcoming bonus situation, an extended fist to indicate an upcoming media timeout, the "sliding index finger" to indicate that the upcoming throw-in is not a spot throw-in (usually exchanged at the beginning of a time out), index finger extended upward to indicate we're under 1:00 remaining in the period (quite often this is withheld until we're at about 30 seconds), tapping the chest to indicate either "I've got clock" or, more rarely, "I'm the new lead" (used to sort out confusion over a missed rotation). The only other one that comes to mind is the "two fist twist" used to communicate the need to tighten up the play calling.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I've heard rumor that there is a similar divice that does the same thing for the shot clock. I do know that, in my area (all three places I've worked, actually), there's an additional piece of that equipment that somehow magically displays the number of fouls each team has earned. Some of them have a special marker for the bonus that gets triggered at six fouls.

I don't pretend to know how this magic works, but it works here.

+1

Peace

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I've heard rumor that there is a similar divice that does the same thing for the shot clock. I do know that, in my area (all three places I've worked, actually), there's an additional piece of that equipment that somehow magically displays the number of fouls each team has earned. Some of them have a special marker for the bonus that gets triggered at six fouls.

I don't pretend to know how this magic works, but it works here.

The only time I have ever run into a correctable error issue was in a gym that had one clock, restraining lines, no division line, pipes running across the court about 15 feet up and no display of team fouls or bonus light on the scoreboard. The only thing missing was the fan shaped backboards and the George Mikan key.

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I've heard rumor that there is a similar divice that does the same thing for the shot clock. I do know that, in my area (all three places I've worked, actually), there's an additional piece of that equipment that somehow magically displays the number of fouls each team has earned. Some of them have a special marker for the bonus that gets triggered at six fouls.

I don't pretend to know how this magic works, but it works here.

I have experienced such magic, but often found it to be unreliable. I'm sure the problem is not with the hardware or the software. The knowledgeable folks I've consulted have all responded with strange words like "PEBKAC" and phrases like "ID Ten-T interface".

Perhaps I need to move to where you are?

[Adam]

While we do get the occasional "ID Ten T" error, they're such a rare event I don't notice them before they get fixed by on-site tech-support.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

While we do get the occasional "ID Ten T" error, they're such a rare event I don't notice them before they get fixed by on-site tech-support.

Does such a tech support call involve a Ruger and a shovel?

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

While we do get the occasional "ID Ten T" error, they're such a rare event I don't notice them before they get fixed by on-site tech-support.

I'm definitely moving there!

[Indianaref]

Originally Posted by chseagle

What hand signals (other than the standard clock start/clock stop) should officials use to communicate with one another?

Late in the game when the losing team is needing to foul, I will communicate with the other official(s) with a tap on the forearm.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by hoopsaddict

When I worked games after the sixth foul I like to signal that we're in the bonus.

I don't like to wait until after the sixth foul. I want to know, or I want my partner to know, that we're at six and that we'll be shooting on the next foul. This way either of us, as the noncalling official, will be more likely to identify the shooter and get everyone lined up to shoot free throws.

[Cobra]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I don't like to wait until after the sixth foul. I want to know, or I want my partner to know, that we're at six and that we'll be shooting on the next foul.

So you want you or your partner to know that you are at six fouls before the sixth foul. Most people would just call that five fouls.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I want to know, or I want my partner to know, that we're at six and that we'll be shooting on the next foul..

Originally Posted by Cobra

So you want you or your partner to know that you are at six fouls before the sixth foul. Most people would just call that five fouls.

No. We need to know when the sixth is charged. After that, if needed, we're ready to shoot, and have a shooter.

[BillyMac]

In our little corner of Connecticut, a common "unofficial" signal is to put out one's fist and rotate it, meaning, "This game is getting a little chippy. Let's tighten it up".

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by hoopsaddict

When I worked games after the sixth foul I like to signal that we're in the bonus. Some of my P's like to use a thumb and pinky and shake with the hand toward the basket and others like to use the index finger and the pinky.

I've had a few partners that do that, and it certainly helps. I've also had the "tap the wrist" non-signal frequently when the clock is winding down.

On non-board/rec league games, sometimes there's a rule that forbids a team to press once a team is up 10 points. This is not part of the officiating norm, so you have to remind yourself to catch it, before a kid makes a steal off an illegal press.

To stay on top of this rule, a partner and I developed a "thumbs up/thumbs down" communication for this situation only. If a team goes up ten points, you make eye contact, and do a quick thumbs up to alert your partner, and he mirrors. That will remind you that the no-press rule is effect. When it's no longer in effect, you do the same with a quick thumbs down.