Captains meeting
 

Is there an NCAA or NFHS rule or any written instruction/requirement any place in the world that requires the Ref to ask for a spokesperson at the meeting with the captains? If so, please indicate the location. Thanks!

Well first of all there isn't a requirement by the fed for a meeting at all that I'm aware of, this is usually a state requirement (or equivalent local jurisdiction). The closest thing we have 2-4-5. But since we usually do have a meeting with "captains" and coaches, take a look at 3-1-1 and 3-1-2, how would you know who unless you asked? ;)

To that end, what's your point? If you feel like its a waste and don't want to do it because it's not mandatory, then don't worry about.

They are all speaking captains.

There's a rule that we're supposed to ask the captains if they are ready to start play. How can you do that if you don't know who they are?

And, while I'll listen to anyone who is polite, if I need to go to someone, I'll go to the captain if s/he is on the floor.

I can't do either of those things if I don't get a number (more accurately -- getting a number makes it far easier to do both of those things).

I also mark those numbers in the official book. So when I need to talk to them I know who they are and have some record I asked who they are. It is not a big deal, but the rules do have things in place were we ask the captains things in different parts of the game.

Peace

+1

Look, I'm *all* for a short captain meeting. Mine (I know) takes no more than a minute, and that includes *getting* the captains and all the handshakes, introductions, etc. We get them at 12 minutes and I'm at the table before the clock hits 11.

But I hate the phrase "speaking captain". In a boys game, it's spokesman for me. In a girls game, spokesperson.

Wow you are far too politically correct for me. A Captain is a Captain is a Captain regardless of sex.

Here's what I say to the players at the meeting-

I need speaking Captains - they answer, "If your players or coaches have any problems, they come to you, you come to us, it rarely ever happens, we want to encourage good sportsmanship, any questions?"

Short and sweet and I don't have to remember spokesman or spokes"person".

Why not spokeswoman?

Because the phrase "speaking captain" is absolutely stupid. It assumes that the other captains can't speak. I'm happy to talk to anyone -- it's only when we have true stupidity and I want to talk to the head coach and a single captain to settle the game am I looking for a single person.

If you find it overly politically correct to recognize that a girl isn't a man, you must have a hard time with daily life. Even I stopped calling it 3-man a few years ago after saying I'd never do it -- I realized it's a small thing that really doesn't hurt anyone. Maybe it's because I have a daughter (although I like to think it's because I stopped dragging my knuckles on the ground).

(BTW, it's nothing to remember. It's not hard to recognize whether the players are girls or boys, is it?)

When you only work games with one gender you do not have to worry about trying to say the gender neutral thing. So I can stick to "speaking captain." Not that I ever really thought about it until now. ;)

Peace

If I could ensure 50 games with just boys, I'd make the switch in a heartbeat. Too many commissioners around here expect that you'll work both (or take considerably fewer games if only asking for boys).

Its all stupid of course we'll talk to anyone if they are polite. But by rule 3-1-1 there is only one "captain" . The other captains can't speak because they aren't really captains to begin with.

Once I find out the speaking captain, I shoo the rest away, the don't belong there (tongue in cheek of course).

Technically, you're correct. But I don't want to lessen the importance to one of the other kids who was chosen to go to center court. To me, spokesman/spokesperson is just a better choice.

And I do ask the (singular) captain if we're ready to start play (while U1/U is checking with the head coaches and table).

At the "captains " meeting, we usually have 2 or 3 players from each team.

That is why we ask for a speaking Captain.

Captain is not a sexual term, so, in my little world, there is no need to change it. JMO.

Life for me is just fine, I work a lot of 3 man games.

I understand and glad I do not have to work what I do not want to. That being said, still do not see why it matters. I would think "spokesperson" would cover both genders quite well.

Peace

It would, sure. It's an extra syllable I choose not to say. I'm flexible that way.

At some point I'll decide I'm happy with fewer games and will make the switch. At 34 games already this season, I'm wondering if I should cut back a bit next season. If this was my only sport, I'd work every night of the week, but with football and baseball and a family something's going to have to give eventually.

I learned something the other night, we went through our meeting, got the captains numbers as we routinely do every game. Well, we had a little toussle that almost escalated. it would have been good to pull captains together or at least mention to each one we need your help out here. I didn't think of it and if I did, I would not have remembered who they were. I like Jeff's idea of writing #'s in book at least it may stick in my memory bank.

Just circle the number of the captains (one from each team) when you sign the book.

Even better.

Do you use washable marker? After all, some teams use different captains for each game. Is the marker color the same contrasting color as the numbers? Or do you just use the basic black Sharpie for all uniforms?

(Oh, wait, maybe you circle the numbers that are written in the book...)

I actually try to remember the numbers during the game, as just a little mental exercise, even if I'm not the R. I ask myself who the captains are before the tip, and at random times through the game. There have been several times I've found the captains are on the bench; many times it's because it's their turn to rest in the rotation, but there have been times the captain is a senior who's injured and may not play, or is just in there to start. So while knowing the captains, or marking them in the book may help sometimes, I'm not sure if I've ever needed them past the opening tip. If there's a problem player, I usually talk directly to that player, or perhaps the coach. If the captain is close, I think I have mentioned something to them once or twice in 20 years. If there's a problem on the court that requires getting both captains together, I'm actually getting both coaches together instead.

The captain designation may have meant more in the past, but it seems like it probably means less during the game now than even the designation of an R on the officiating crew.

Hell, that's easy enough. Use washable captains. Problem solved.

Captain Questions That Need To Be Asked ???
 

Who's the speaking captain? What's your number? Lets' see your number. Are you starting? No? Nevermind.

If one peruses both the NFHS and NCAA Rules Books, one will see that the rules refer to a Captain (singular, not plural). And while we as officials should be willing to commnicate with any player on the court as long as the player is polite and not grinding an ax, because a team has a Captain (singular, not plural), it is customary to ask which player is going to be the speaking captain for the game.

MTD, Sr.

Billy:

Don't you just hate that. :D

MTD, Sr.

Good For A Few Laughs Over Some Adult Beverages After the Game ...
 

No, because I don't ask for speakng captains when I'm the referee. I love it when I'm the umpire and this is asked, and answered, in this manner.