Old school

[nwsquid]

What IS a bird dog signal? I am so new, I don't even know what it is. (Don't worry I don't officiate anything above 3-4 grade city rec league ball...yet.)

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by nwsquid

What IS a bird dog signal? I am so new, I don't even know what it is. (Don't worry I don't officiate anything above 3-4 grade city rec league ball...yet.)

The bird dog is the hand extended, palm down, at the hips of the player who fouled while still giving the stop the clock-foul signal.

I've never understood the dislike for the mechanic, and still use it occasionally when there are multiple people in the area of the foul.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

T and still use it occasionally when there are multiple people in the area of the foul.

That's exactly the situation when it should be used. And why it was left in the mechanics and in the book.

[Freddy]

Originally Posted by nwsquid

What IS a bird dog signal? I am so new, I don't even know what it is. (Don't worry I don't officiate anything above 3-4 grade city rec league ball...yet.)

BIRDDOG: (archaic) The action of a basketball official whereby s/he, with one closed fist thrust skyward as far as it will go without detaching from her/his body, positions the other hand perpendicular to the vertical line of her/his body to the extend that it will reach with downward facing open hand or single finger or index and middle fingers pointing at or about the person who committed a foul. More difficult to execute in cases of a double foul, unless said official was born with three arms.

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by Freddy

BIRDDOG: (archaic) The action of a basketball official whereby s/he, with one closed fist thrust skyward as far as it will go without detaching from her/his body, positions the other hand perpendicular to the vertical line of her/his body to the extend that it will reach with downward facing open hand or single finger or index and middle fingers pointing at or about the person who committed a foul. More difficult to execute in cases of a double foul, unless said official was born with three arms.

I did a game with a rookie official earlier this year who gave the bird dog simultaneously with putting his fist in the air. There was also a little hop involved. It made him look extremely eager to call fouls.