Never mind, I was watching the game and not paying attention to what I was typing. LOL, I am going to edit my initial response to your question.

MTD, Sr.

You don't believe in using official signals?

That's signal #12 in the NFHS rule book, in case you didn't know. Don't you think they maybe put it in the rule book for a reason?

You know what they say about old dogs and new tricks?

They're worth one in the hand.

Signal #12 in the NFHS rule book.

Stoopid IAABO monkeys want to make up their own damn rules.....:rolleyes:

Is it not optional in NFHS? If not, do you use it every time a player has the ball in the FC without a defender within 6 feet?

JR:

It is a needless (and stupid mechanic/signal). The question should be asked is: Why did the NCAA Men's/Women's Rules Committee adopt such a mechanic/signal?

The answer: Coaches complained that officials were not calling CGS violations when they (coaches) thought the violation should be called. In fact, the coaches thought that officials were not even payiing attention to the rule. Sooooooo, the Rules Committee adopted a mechanic/signal that officials could use to say to coaches: "See Coach, I am looking for CGS violations but there is no CGS right now." Finally, the NFHS adopted the mechanic/signal based upon the same logic that the NCAA used.

Apparentlly, coaches do not understand the concept if an official has nothing until something happens. Thus, the adoption of the mechanic/signal, first by the NCAA and then by the NFHS.

When evaluating officials, I could care less whether the official using the signal. And I am officating I do not feel the need to use it because if I am not using a visible count it means that a CGS does not exist. And that is why I tell a HC when he asks me.

MTD, Jr., knows not to use the signal, because if he does he has to walk home from the game. :D

MTD, Sr.

That was what I was thinking. How far away is far enough to not use it? Do we stand there with our arms straight out to the side the entire time a player is not within 6'?

I use it when it's obvious a player is attempting to get a count started or whenever the coach is wondering about one. Besides that, I'll use it when a player has successfully broken a count...especially late in the count.

Gee, I don't know. What do you think think the NFHS said about it?

From the NFHS 2007-08 Rule Book when the signal was first implemented....

A new signal (spreading of the arms) was added to the signal chart to communicate that a defender is not in a closely guarded situation. The new signal clearly communicates that the official is aware that the defender is attempting to obtain a closely-guarded count, but has not met the six-foot distance requirement or that the six-foot distance necessary for continuing the count has been broken. <font color = red>It is intended to be used as a means of communication and does NOT need to be used in obvious situations, such as when an offensive player speeds past a defender or when there is a significant distance between the ball carrier and the defender.</font>

It's pretty straight-forward imo. It's an informational signal that should be used when an official thinks it's needed. It's just another tool we can use if we want to. If you don't feel it should used in certain situations, then you just don't use it.

And here's one for MTD SR. right out of POE #1 in this year's rule book..."Personal interpretations of the rules have a negative impact on the game. Individual philosophies and deviations from the rules, as they are written and interpreted by the NFHS, negatively impact the basic tenets and fundamentals of the game." It's kinda funny to me that the officials working a Final Four championship game find nothing wrong with using the signal when they think it's necessary, but the MTD Sr.'s of the world refuse to use it.

And btw, I might be an old dog but I keep coming here to try to avoid being labelled a stoopid old dog. :)

But, no signal could mean (1) You have nothing, or (2) You're not paying attention. The signal tells the coach it's the former.

(Not that anyone here would ever be guilty of the latter. The signal is needed because of all the other officials out there.)

So you are saying it IS optional?

That seems like a lot of words to replace "optional."

Now, MTD's refusal to acknowledge it is a different story, but it really has nothing to do with IAABO. Or were you just being snarky on that one? I have a hard time recognizing old-dog humor sometimes with the iPod in my ears.

All nice and shiny...

Anyways, I like the mechanic. I've put it to good use and have heard more than a couple of times from a coach "See, I told you that you're too far back. Guard him!"

To say that a mechanic is optional is ambiguous between:
a) an official opting never to use the mechanic, and
b) an official opting to use it only occasionally when needed to communicate

I think you're using it in sense (b) and JR is rejecting sense (a). You're in violent agreement.

Perhaps, but I was responding to this exchange in particular.