First AAU Follies of the Off-Season

[ODog]

I hear you. In our neck of the woods, we have two IAABO boards and a "women's" board. I'm not sure what the board's intent was when it first began, but members of this board (who are both male and female, btw) can now officiate both girls and boys high school hoops in our area. And, obviously, those of us on the IAABO boards can also officiate both genders.

So I'm not really sure what the point of the rogue board is, but it's a painfully weak lot, with a few pleasant exceptions.

Maybe someone can help me out here: One of the things they do on "their" board is have the trail stand tableside on free throws, which conflicts directly with our mechanic. I also find it incredibly ineffective because A.) they're right in position to take an earful from the coaches, and B.) they are COMPLETELY oblivious to subs (which might be the case regardless of their position).

I've asked some of the officials on their board why they do this and their answer has consistently been, "That's the NFHS mechanic."

For reasons A and B, if no others, this couldn't possibly be true, could it? Any non-IAABO officials weigh in here?

[JetMetFan]

Originally Posted by ODog

I hear you. In our neck of the woods, we have two IAABO boards and a "women's" board. I'm not sure what the board's intent was when it first began, but members of this board (who are both male and female, btw) can now officiate both girls and boys high school hoops in our area. And, obviously, those of us on the IAABO boards can also officiate both genders.

So I'm not really sure what the point of the rogue board is, but it's a painfully weak lot, with a few pleasant exceptions.

Maybe someone can help me out here: One of the things they do on "their" board is have the trail stand tableside on free throws, which conflicts directly with our mechanic. I also find it incredibly ineffective because A.) they're right in position to take an earful from the coaches, and B.) they are COMPLETELY oblivious to subs (which might be the case regardless of their position).

I've asked some of the officials on their board why they do this and their answer has consistently been, "That's the NFHS mechanic."

For reasons A and B, if no others, this couldn't possibly be true, could it? Any non-IAABO officials weigh in here?

ODog, I think I can help a little.

If you're in Western MA the women's board you're talking about appears to be borrowing from the women's board in NY. In NY you have to be certified separately to work girls' H.S. ball since they/we use modified NCAAW mechanics (you also don't have to be IAABO to be a member of the women's board). Those mechanics include the T going tableside on shooting fouls.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JetMetFan

ODog, I think I can help a little.

If you're in Western MA the women's board you're talking about appears to be borrowing from the women's board in NY. In NY you have to be certified separately to work girls' H.S. ball since they/we use modified NCAAW mechanics (you also don't have to be IAABO to be a member of the women's board). Those mechanics include the T going tableside on shooting fouls.

I think he's talking about two-whistle mechanics, and I believe they (NFHS) did move to table-side trail on FTs. Three-whistle always has had T tableside anyway.

[ODog]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

I think he's talking about two-whistle mechanics, and I believe they (NFHS) did move to table-side trail on FTs. Three-whistle always has had T tableside anyway.

I am indeed talking about a two-whistle game. That's insane to me that any federation would want the T to stand tableside on FTs in a two-whistle setting.

Forget putting yourself in the line of fire of barking coaches. You'll get your share throughout the game regardless of where you're positioned. But having your back turned to the scorer and all of the subs is just stupid.

[APG]

Originally Posted by ODog

I am indeed talking about a two-whistle game. That's insane to me that any federation would want the T to stand tableside on FTs in a two-whistle setting.

Forget putting yourself in the line of fire of barking coaches. You'll get your share throughout the game regardless of where you're positioned. But having your back turned to the scorer and all of the subs is just stupid.

I personally like going tableside...the not being able to see subs/scorer situation is a non issue, because all one had to do is peek over the shoulder to see what needs to be seen and if you miss anything, there's nothing stopping the lead official from beckoning subs in. Texas has been going tableside in two man even before NFHS went to the mechanic.

As far as talking to coaches, I'd rather deal with coaches near me with a quiet word, then have a coach try and yell across the court. When NCAA-M moved their officials opposite after foul calls, I noticed (at least for TV games) that this happened a lot more often.

[Welpe]

Going tableside is all I know but I don't see the big deal about it. It is very rare I've had a coach get to the point of getting T'd up as a result of me being tableside and I think he would have gotten himself stuck anyways.

[APG]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Going tableside is all I know but I don't see the big deal about it. It is very rare I've had a coach get to the point of getting T'd up as a result of me being tableside and I think he would have gotten himself stuck anyways.

Likewise...on it being all I've known and never really having issues with coaches.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by ODog

I am indeed talking about a two-whistle game. That's insane to me that any federation would want the T to stand tableside on FTs in a two-whistle setting.

Forget putting yourself in the line of fire of barking coaches. You'll get your share throughout the game regardless of where you're positioned. But having your back turned to the scorer and all of the subs is just stupid.

I happen to prefer being table side as the calling official. We did that for a couple of years in three-man, but too many officials engaged the coaches too much rather than just when they needed to. I preferred it because it gave the coach a chance to ask the proper questions without yelling or delaying the game during free throws.

As for the T doing subs table-side. That's how it's done with three, and it's not a problem. Take a quick look before and after the last FT, then your eyes are on the play anyway. I don't think it's any harder to take one last glance from either side of the court after the final FT is made.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

...
As for the T doing subs table-side. That's how it's done with three, and it's not a problem. Take a quick look before and after the last FT, then your eyes are on the play anyway. I don't think it's any harder to take one last glance from either side of the court after the final FT is made.

Except in 2-man the Trail is supposed to be down watching the free throw shooter and a lot of officials stay way up high to deal with subs and never get down to where they belong.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Except in 2-man the Trail is supposed to be down watching the free throw shooter and a lot of officials stay way up high to deal with subs and never get down to where they belong.

Well that's just poor coaching.