"Over The Back"

[Rich]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I am not sure I totally agree with that. For one the chop signal is for clarification and to give information. The "over the back" signal is to call something based on something that is not a rule. We used to use the "kicking" signal and it was not approved (even the "palming" signal was used and not approved at one time). And I know officials that use the "tip" signal for multiple purposes to give information. I am not advocating using this signal, but just saying that we do a lot of things that are not approved and no one gets upset over the situation.

To be clear I would not use that signal during most live ball or right as a player is being defended, but I have used it before. Never been told not to or it was wrong.

Peace

I've seen big time NCAA officials put both arms straight up and bring them forward/down to show that a player was vertical but brought the arms forward/down and fouled the shooter. It's a mechanic that may not be approved but communicates the foul far better than a hit/hack mechanic ever could.

Same with the hit to the head (in an NFHS game). If I hit the head, nobody ever questions me. If I use the usual hit/hack mechanic, I'm just as likely to hear from a coach that "he didn't hit him on the arm."

I try to use proper mechanics when they fit, but I'm not a slave to them 100% of the time, either.

[Zoochy]

Many years ago I was watching a lower level Girls game and while reporting/describing the foul the official said "Bumping from behind" while giving a pelvic thrusting motion.

[Bad Zebra]

Originally Posted by Zoochy

...the official said "Bumping from behind" while giving a pelvic thrusting motion.

Mandatory jail sentence now.

The OTB mechanic still makes me cringe whenever I see it. Fortunately, I've only seen it at the sub-varsity level and I'll make it a point to talk that official if I can after the game.

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

Mandatory jail sentence now.

The OTB mechanic still makes me cringe whenever I see it. Fortunately, I've only seen it at the sub-varsity level and I'll make it a point to talk that official if I can after the game.

The Boris Karloff mechanic is probably the worst one out there. Though, if I ever saw that Elvis one, I might have to re-think my position.

[referee99]

... who gave the 'rainbow' mechanic on a ball over the backboard. Cracked me up.

[letemplay]

I've picked up the Gator chop somehow on occasion and don't know where...or how to rid myself of it

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by letemplay

I've picked up the Gator chop somehow on occasion and don't know where...or how to rid myself of it

I would suggest becoming a Seminole fan, but you'd just be trading one mechanic for another.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by 26 Year Gap

The Boris Karloff mechanic is probably the worst one out there.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I've seen big time NCAA officials put both arms straight up and bring them forward/down to show that a player was vertical but brought the arms forward/down and fouled the shooter. It's a mechanic that may not be approved but communicates the foul far better than a hit/hack mechanic ever could.

Same with the hit to the head (in an NFHS game). If I hit the head, nobody ever questions me. If I use the usual hit/hack mechanic, I'm just as likely to hear from a coach that "he didn't hit him on the arm."

I try to use proper mechanics when they fit, but I'm not a slave to them 100% of the time, either.

This is why I say exactly what the player did when I go to the table instead of the usual "push" or "handcheck."

Peace

[GoodwillRef]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

I've seen big time NCAA officials put both arms straight up and bring them forward/down to show that a player was vertical but brought the arms forward/down and fouled the shooter. It's a mechanic that may not be approved but communicates the foul far better than a hit/hack mechanic ever could.

Same with the hit to the head (in an NFHS game). If I hit the head, nobody ever questions me. If I use the usual hit/hack mechanic, I'm just as likely to hear from a coach that "he didn't hit him on the arm."

I try to use proper mechanics when they fit, but I'm not a slave to them 100% of the time, either.

I try to think of these unofficial mechanics as "tool of communication."

[bainsey]

Why do you suppose these people advance when they clearly get the mechanics wrong, and perpetuate myths with their choice of words?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bainsey

Why do you suppose these people advance when they clearly get the mechanics wrong, and perpetuate myths with their choice of words?

Because in the big picture it doesn't matter as much as many officials think it does (or would like it to).

I had a player fumble a ball he was receiving while taking a couple of steps in transition last night. When the coach said something about a travel, I gave a fumble signal and the complaining stopped. Bad Rich. Bad, bad Rich.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Because in the big picture it doesn't matter as much as many officials think it does (or would like it to).

+1

It's easy as hell to tweak your officials' mechanics if you think they might be causing a problem. If the mechanics aren't causing a problem, .....

It's a helluva lot harder to tweak their play calling, judgment, etc.

The most important mechanic by far is proper positioning imo. Signals are meant to convey information. If they do that, fine with me.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Because in the big picture it doesn't matter as much as many officials think it does (or would like it to).

I had a player fumble a ball he was receiving while taking a couple of steps in transition last night. When the coach said something about a travel, I gave a fumble signal and the complaining stopped. Bad Rich. Bad, bad Rich.

I've done the same thing, in the same situation, with the same effect.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

Because in the big picture it doesn't matter as much as many officials think it does (or would like it to).

Must be. All I know is, as hard it the mechanics are pushed on the newbies, you'd have to hold the vets to the same standard.