What do you do with the ball during TO/between quarters?
 

During TOs I have seen some officials leave the ball at the spot of the inbound after the timeout. Others carry it with them never leaving it on the floor unattended. Any opinions on or concrete advice?

And Hope That It Doesn't Roll Away ...
 

Either an official with the ball, or the ball, have to be at the spot. It's best if both are there. Only exception is for an impromptu meeting between officials, which is when only the ball marks the spot.

Is their a difference between 2 or 3 man mechanics? Where is this written?

I always hold onto the ball. Never thought about putting the ball on the floor seriously. Heck do what you want and feel comfortable with, there is not overall right or wrong on this unless your supervisors tell you otherwise.

Peace

It's Oh So Twentieth Century ...
 

Remember. Connecticut is known as the "Land of the IAABO Two Person Game".

I either spin it on my finger or practice dribbling between my legs.

I only do that if the band is playing "Sweet Georgia Brown".

Usually I stand near the throw in spot with the ball under my arm in relation to the direction of the team that will have possession when we resume play. Usually saves a little confusion and a lot of explainin'.

Chicks dig the long ball, so I make sure I show it off.

Idk what this has to do with the post, but I laughed.
I was told never to leave the ball unattended, have it with you near the spot. No need to be chasing a fan down with the ball that didn't like your previous call.

Really? Even when the spot is directly in front of a team's bench?

Here our two whistle mechanic is to leave the ball at the throw in spot (or free throw line). In three whistle, the administering official will stand at the spot with the ball.

In Ga, all time outs we have both free officials at top of key with 3rd official at the throw-in spot.
The IAABO handbook has good diagrams for crew of 2 or 3, with differences for table side throw ins and free throw to follow with crew of 2. (Typically 1 official at spot and the "free" official" facing the table at midcourt.)

The only time the ball would be placed on the floor is in a crew of 2 when the administering official places it there while reporting the TO and then goes back and picks up the ball at the spot of throw in....But I am not in the "Land of IAABO"...so there could be a different opinion :)

I usually autograph the ball and then throw it into the stands for some lucky fan to collect as a souvenir. :p

If the thrown in spot is directly in front of the teams bench then you stand inline with your partner. Your partner will be at a spot along the division line for either a 30 or 60 second time out.

If I have the ball, I hold it on the hip in the direction we're going. It is a great reminder of which way we're going when I have a brain fart.

Official's manual 2.4.4 C.2 - 6 and 3.4.4 C. 2 - 6

This is what I do as well, standing at the spot. I get slightly annoyed when partners do their own thing (or use previous years' mechanics), but I'm working on it.

I've always been taught that the ball should not leave the throw-in spot. If a discussion is needed among the officials meet up at the throw-in spot. If the administering official is needed at the table or to talk to the coaches then another official should stand in for him at the throw-in spot. If no officials are available to stay at the throw-in spot then leave the ball there.

I think other officials are the only people who pay attention to where the official is holding the ball - one hip or the other. To take that philosophy a step further, one area I worked required us to have the ball in front of us while we are either on the court or off the court near the end line. If we were on the court, the ball was going the length of the court. If we were off the court, the ball was going to be put in play on the end line and stay on that end. Who could break this code? Only other officials.

Thanks, that is what I was looking for.

The only thing the IAABO procedure specifies is where the ball should be "during" the time out. I take that to mean after the reporting official says, "start the clock, please."

If I must report, and I have the ball, I'll bounce the ball to my partner before I report. I have to check with him on the throw-in spot, anyway, where he would be during the time-out. I don't see the point of putting it on the floor, until ROP.