Pregame meeting with captains

[Larks]

My short one

"Questions? Have a good game."

My long one

"Take care of your teams. If you have a questions come see us, we will answer. If you play basketball, we'll leave you alone and if you dont, we'll blow the whistle. Put it in the hole."

I dont ask for the speakers anymore either.

[Ignats75]

I never ask for speaking captains either. Why denigrate two other kids by making them join the meeting only to ignore them?

"If you run into the cheerleaders, keep your hands down."

[VaTerp]

I don't really know the purpose of asking for speaking captains either but I do it b/c it's standard practice here. It really just serves as a way to transition from the handshakes and the kids expect it.

After that I say something along the lines of "sportsmanship at all times, have fun, put it in the basket. Any questions.....ask these guys," and then I walk over to the table.

Last night I was the U1 and our normal pre-game was interrupted for senior night. The R, who I've worked with before and really like as an official, told me to go ahead and do the capt meeting while he took care of the table. So I used what I typically hear him say:

"Shirts tucked, shorts up, mouths shut. Any questions?"

[McMac]

To mix it up in the later parts of the season, I start asking them questions.

I intro the officials, ask for speaking captains, point out the lines to the visitors then get into the Q&A.
"So gentlemen/ladies, where do your jerseys belong? And your pants?
Where do you report for substitutions? And when do you come on the court?
Blue, you knock down white, what will you do? White, you knock down blue, what will you do? Basketball is a great game, now go have fun."

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

And most importantly, it's the black line all the way around.

Originally Posted by McMac

Point out the lines to the visitors.

I was just doing some "chain yanking".

McMac: Your move?

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by McMac

To mix it up in the later parts of the season, I start asking them questions.

I intro the officials, ask for speaking captains, point out the lines to the visitors then get into the Q&A.
"So gentlemen/ladies, where do your jerseys belong? And your pants?
Where do you report for substitutions? And when do you come on the court?
Blue, you knock down white, what will you do? White, you knock down blue, what will you do? Basketball is a great game, now go have fun."

You're joking about all of this, right? Please? You lost me at pointing out the lines on the court, and it went downhill from there...

[Adam]

Originally Posted by Smitty

You're joking about all of this, right? Please? You lost me at pointing out the lines on the court, and it went downhill from there...

I got lost at "speaking captains."

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I got lost at "speaking captains."

LOL Well played...

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by McMac

"So gentlemen/ladies, where do your jerseys belong? And your pants? Where do you report for substitutions? And when do you come on the court? Blue, you knock down white, what will you do? White, you knock down blue, what will you do? Basketball is a great game, now go have fun."

I like some of these. Questions get through to kids more so than statements.

"Coaches, is everybody properly and legally equipped?"
"Can I expect good sporting behavior from everyone here today?"

Depending upon the level, I see a good use for some of Mc's questions.

[Adam]

I could have justified pointing out the lines last night: Black line surrounded by a wide red stripe all the way around the court. Middle school boys.

But I didn't. And the visiting team was never once confused.