Why No Signal?
 

Since the forum is a little slow this week I thought I would pose a question:

Why do you think on the majority of traveling and offensive foul calls, the calling official does not give a signal to stop the clock??

I think officials feel the need to sell the call and the stop clock signal takes away from doing that.

Peace

Couple of reasons:

1. Sells a call better
2. At the major D-I and NBA level, they're using PTS so the clock's stopping automatically on the whistle
3. In reality, the clock is not being stopped with the hand signal but on the sound of the whistle.

Couple = 2. Just sayin'.:D

the majority?
 

Might depend on what area of the country. In our area it is expected that a hand/fist is used on all violations/fouls. Most who neglect to are usually those also doing college ball. Local supervisors emphasize using it and during the tournaments the state supervisors make it a major POE that all officials use the NFHS and not NCAA mechanics.

What calling official are you talking about?

I stop the clock. If you're in NC, Mark expects you to as well.

In HS ball, especially here in NC, like BadNews said, it is expected that you stop the clock with the appropriate signal. I see it in college ball. I have always stopped the clock, as it helps to slow down and avoid the blarge. But some officials do not, which I think comes down to the particular play happening fast and the official reacting in the same way which helps to sell it also.

My aren't you the traditionalist....

NCAA requires a stop clock signal in those situations, no?

Yes.

And, I disagree with the premise of the OP.

When I first started with some actual training, we were taught that on PC fouls, the hand behind the head WAS the stop clock signal.

We were taught, when you blow that whistle, you better have a hand up, a fist up, or two thumbs up.

Never really gave it much thought, but why have a "stop the clock" signal on violations? Is there any time the whistle itself doesn't stop the clock?

Say the push caused the travel. One official has a fist up & the other just gives the travel signal. Resume play...

I think without the stop clock signal prior to all fouls/violations we dont allow ourselves (HS & small college) an opportunity to discuss & get the play right in the case of conflicting calls.

That is a good reason...it gives a brief preliminary communication to your partner about the nature of the call you have.

Secondly, I know I've been in gyms so loud at the end of a close rivalry game that the scorer/timer just couldn't hear the whistle no matter how loud we blew it. The only thing they had to go on was the raising of our hand.

This is exactly why I hate going straight to the jump ball signal instead of putting my hand in the air first.