Use of or lack of use of voice.

[Raymond]

It wouldn't surprise me if that were a common problem (lack of voice). My voice is one of things that has been a positive in my career and I get complimented on consistently.

[Toren]

What kind of talking is useful?

At camp I generally talk a lot more than I do in a normal game.

Although in a normal game, I usually try to talk people out of the lane with a whistle in my mouth I yell "lane, lane". If I'm the non-calling official I get players lined up so when my partner returns to his spot we are ready to shoot free throws. If we have a trouble player, I communicate that loudly to my partner/s

In camp, I also add the occasional, "good call" to my partner. But this feels forced to me.

But since I get the same feedback, "try to use your voice more", I know I gotta continue to do more. But when else is an appropriate time to talk more?

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Toren

What kind of talking is useful?

At camp I generally talk a lot more than I do in a normal game.

Although in a normal game, I usually try to talk people out of the lane with a whistle in my mouth I yell "lane, lane". If I'm the non-calling official I get players lined up so when my partner returns to his spot we are ready to shoot free throws. If we have a trouble player, I communicate that loudly to my partner/s

In camp, I also add the occasional, "good call" to my partner. But this feels forced to me.

But since I get the same feedback, "try to use your voice more", I know I gotta continue to do more. But when else is an appropriate time to talk more?

When a player is on the border of doing something they don't need to do and it doesn't need a foul....No-hands (usually on the perimeter), Straight up (rebounding, post play), etc.

When a player helps someone up displaying good sportsmanship...thanks, nice job.

When they get the ball for you on a dead ball...thank you.

When they're pushing the limits on entering the lane to rebound a FT....guys, wait til it hits (in addition to the "normal 1 shot").

You can't talk the whole game with this sort of stuff but if you let the players hear you and let them know you're paying attention, it can do two things. 1...it can keep them from committing a cheap foul. 2....it lets them know you're watching and, if they're the "victim", it keeps them from getting frustrated wondering if you're blind....helping control the game.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Toren

I also add the occasional, "good call" to my partner.

So when your partner makes a call, and this is one of those occasional times when you don't say "good call" to your partner, and the coach disagrees with your partner's call, and then the coach, who has heard you say "good call" to your partner a few times earlier in the game, notes that you haven't said "good call" to your partner on this particular controversial call ...

Do you see where this bedtime story is going? I'll give you a hint. They all don't live happily ever after.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

So when your partner makes a call, and this is one of those occasional times when you don't say "good call" to your partner, and the coach disagrees with your partner's call, and then the coach, who has heard you say "good call" to your partner a few times earlier in the game, notes that you haven't said "good call" to your partner on this particular controversial call ...

Do you see where this bedtime story is going? I'll give you a hint. They all don't live happily ever after.

I'm not worry about the bedtime story. My partner makes a tough call and he starts getting flak then there is a good chance he'll get a "Good Call!" from me so that the chirper hears it.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I'm not worry about the bedtime story.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

So when your partner makes a call, and this is one of those occasional times when you don't say "good call" to your partner, and the coach disagrees with your partner's call, and then the coach, who has heard you say "good call" to your partner a few times earlier in the game, notes that you haven't said "good call" to your partner on this particular controversial call ...

Do you see where this bedtime story is going? I'll give you a hint. They all don't live happily ever after.

I agree. I don't say it for those very reasons.

The only time I might do that is with a very junior partner who needs the vote of confidence....and it shouldn't be frequent.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

So when your partner makes a call, and this is one of those occasional times when you don't say "good call" to your partner, and the coach disagrees with your partner's call, and then the coach, who has heard you say "good call" to your partner a few times earlier in the game, notes that you haven't said "good call" to your partner on this particular controversial call ...

Do you see where this bedtime story is going? I'll give you a hint. They all don't live happily ever after.

That's pretty ridiculous...toren says he gives "an occasional" good call comment, and you decide he is doing it all the time, except for once and that gives the coach ammunition. Ridiculous...

And for you and Camron - are there other things you are afraid to do or say on the court because of what a coach might think or say?

Like BNR said - you make an awesome call on the court with me, I will tell you it was an awesome call.

And to get back to Jeff's original post...I find that using or not using voice is quite often a matter of comfort level on the court. As the official gets more confident and comfortable on the court, they will begin using their voice more - which will lead to more confidence and more comfort.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

And for you and Camron - are there other things you are afraid to do or say on the court because of what a coach might think or say?

Not at all. I say things all the time they don't like and that I know they will not like. I just see no benefit in telling a partner "good call" and only see it as an opportunity to cause unnecessary trouble. Why invite trouble?

I also see it as a bit demeaning to my partner to give my approval of his/her calls on the court. I trust that they know it was a good call. If I have something to say to them about it, it will usually be in the locker room.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Not at all. I say things all the time they don't like and that I know they will not like. I just see no benefit in telling a partner "good call" and only see it as an opportunity to cause unnecessary trouble. Why invite trouble?

I would take issue that it invites trouble. And since everything said is not for the coach's benefit, I am not so sure what trouble it brings.

This is one of those, "What works for you might not work for someone else."

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

I also see it as a bit demeaning to my partner to give my approval of his/her calls on the court. I trust that they know it was a good call. If I have something to say to them about it, it will usually be in the locker room.

Again this might be that way depending on the kind of official you are working for or with. I know some officials look to certain experienced partners to give them some kind of approval and just like anything you have to know your partners. But having worked with some very experienced officials and some very inexperienced officials as well, never had anyone react to me badly for saying "good call." Then again I do not keep track of how many times I say this or even if I say it on a regular basis. We are a team and I would hope that we can share some stuff with a partner without egos being so damaged.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

He gives "an occasional" good call comment, and you decide he is doing it all the time, except for once and that gives the coach ammunition.

Actually, I never decided that he's doing it all the time. That's my point. He doesn't. He said that he only did it occasionally. When? Easy calls? Tough calls? Correct tough calls? Incorrect tough calls? Anybody who works with me will get his "props", and some criticism, if needed, during private moments, usually in the privacy of the dressing room, maybe on the court during timeouts, or between periods, but still private.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

So when your partner makes a call, and this is one of those occasional times when you don't say "good call" to your partner, and the coach disagrees with your partner's call, and then the coach, who has heard you say "good call" to your partner a few times earlier in the game, notes that you haven't said "good call" to your partner on this particular controversial call ...

Do you see where this bedtime story is going? I'll give you a hint. They all don't live happily ever after.

Honestly, I could give a damn what a coach things if I say this. I will say good call as well and say it when I think the call is really a tough or disputed call. If a coach wants to make something out of me not saying it later, that is their problem. The only reason I say it is when I see the action or have an idea what was called. I also say it no matter if the coach hears me or not. I think people are too worried about what a coach thinks at the end of the day.

Peace