Communication

[tref]

Extremely loud crowd, so noisy that the horn couldnt be heard for anything (1st & 2nd timeout horns, subs, end of quarters).

61-61 game with 2 seconds remaining in the 4thQ. Turnover, the ball goes OOB on the sideline in front of the visiting teams bench. The clock operator allegedly didnt hear the Ts whistle & stops it at 1.3 then starts again, stops on .6

The C runs over to the T & apparently asks if the ball went OOB because if it didnt the Q is over because he saw the clock stop then start again. I dont know what the T said, but the C walks toward the table to ask for help or adjust the clock.

My question to you guys is before heading to the table, what step is missing from this process?

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by tref

Extremely loud crowd, so noisy that the horn couldnt be heard for anything (1st & 2nd timeout horns, subs, end of quarters).

61-61 game with 2 seconds remaining in the 4thQ. Turnover, the ball goes OOB on the sideline in front of the visiting teams bench. The clock operator allegedly didnt hear the Ts whistle & stops it at 1.3 then starts again, stops on .6

The C runs over to the T & apparently asks if the ball went OOB because if it didnt the Q is over because he saw the clock stop then start again. I dont know what the T said, but the C walks toward the table to ask for help or adjust the clock.

My question to you guys is before heading to the table, what step is missing from this process?

The fact that is a 3-man crew.

Sometimes the same problem happens on an OOB play where Lead asks for help and Trails shrugs his shoulders so Lead will come out with 2 thumbs up instead looking to the 3rd person in the crew.

[Rich]

I had a similar thing happen in a 2-person game a few weeks ago. Ball got kicked around and out up high on my sideline as the L. I had *no idea* who violated.

So I asked for help, like I always do. Hand up and shout "Help!" to my partner. Unfamiliar partner and we didn't cover this in the pregame too thoroughly and he shrugs his shoulders and I have no choice but to go to the arrow. (Right or wrong, my regular partner and I *always* come out of that situation with a decision if at all possible.)

But yeah, 3rd official. I'd much rather use that person than ask the table for help.

[tref]

Okay so we are in agreement that the 3rd official should be included in the conversation prior to the C runs to the table.

We pregamed that the entire crew should be made aware of whats going on & how we will proceed if any unusual situations arose. And when it came up we did just the opposite.

So as the new T to administer the throw-in in front of the visitors bench in a game winning situation & you have no clue what your partners are discussing, what would you do?

[loners4me]

Set the ball down to show the spot and join your partners discussions. I'd want to know the situation proir to throw in

[tref]

Originally Posted by loners4me

Set the ball down to show the spot and join your partners discussions. I'd want to know the situation proir to throw in

So when I did that (except for setting the ball down on the sideline where someone could step on it & sprain an ankle) the Cs story changed from "I was going to ask the table for information" to "I was going to put 1.3 on the clock."

Either way my main concern in post game was that we deviated from the pregame in the most crucial time of the game. Why?

I was told that I caused a huge game interrupter because I wanted to know what was going on.

I'm thinking if the time jumps from .6 to 1.3 the coach I'm administering in front would want to know why as a trip to the Great 8 is on the line. If I dont get in there prior to the time being adjusted I've got no info to provide.

In summation we agree that each crew member should be afforded info in this situation. But do we have a preference on who corrects the clock & who brings the coaches together to explain whats what??

[Toren]

Originally Posted by tref

So as the new T to administer the throw-in in front of the visitors bench in a game winning situation & you have no clue what your partners are discussing, what would you do?

Prior to this, as soon as you saw the C moving for discussion, tweet tweet, go to your benches. And join them for the discussion. Place the ball down on the floor where it will be thrown in so there is no question after the conference where the ball is.

My thoughts are in a end of the game situation all officials need to know the situation. Don't wait to be beckoned in though or expect it, even though you pregamed it, just know that all officials need to have the information and go get it.

[refiator]

Originally Posted by Toren

My thoughts are in a end of the game situation all officials need to know the situation. Don't wait to be beckoned in though or expect it, even though you pregamed it, just know that all officials need to have the information and go get it.

Nothing worse than being the "odd man out" when decision is being made and you have definite knowledge of what the correct ruling should be. Get in there quickly and make sure the ruling in correct...and be assertive about it if your are 100%.