Peer Critique Requested - "Mechanics"

Freddy

I'm looking to verify the validity of or improve upon this piece of advice customarily given to new officials regarding the importance of "mechanics", specifically court positioning/PCA awareness.

Please comment as inclined.

"The reason for mechanics, whether with the two- or three-person system, is so that you are:
...in the right place,
...at the right time,
...observing the right thing,
in order to
...make the right call (which might be a no-call)"

Your seasoned thoughts and critique is appreciated in advance.

BillyMac

Mechanics is also about communication. If an official is not using proper signals, then the players, coaches, scorers, timekeepers, and fans, will have no idea what has been called. If that's the case, then everybody's in for a very long day, and I'm willing to guarantee that there will be plenty of opportunities to serve some "tea", if you know what I mean, and I'm sure that you do.

JRutledge

In general that is an accurate statement.

But they are also used for communication without having to say a word. Good mechanics show that we know what we are doing and that we are confident in what we are doing, kind of like what Billy stated.

Peace

Freddy

BillyMac wrote
Mechanics is also about communication. If an official is not using proper signals, then the players, coaches, scorers, timekeepers, and fans, will have no idea what has been called. If that's the case, then everybody's in for a very long day, and I'm willing to guarantee that there will be plenty of opportunities to serve some "tea", if you know what I mean, and I'm sure that you do.

Thanx for your response re. communication via signalling. I am, however, restricting the topic to "mechanics" as in court positioning and PCA awareness.

Comments on that welcome as you have the opportunity.

JRutledge

Freddy wrote
Thanx for your response re. communication via signalling. I am, however, restricting the topic to "mechanics" as in court positioning and PCA awareness.

Comments on that welcome as you have the opportunity.

Well "mechanics" are signals too. They go hand in hand. Positioning and movement are just one type of mechanics. But signals are mechanics as well.

Peace

Hartsy

Freddy wrote
I'm looking to verify the validity of or improve upon this piece of advice customarily given to new officials regarding the importance of "mechanics", specifically court positioning/PCA awareness.

Please comment as inclined.

"The reason for mechanics, whether with the two- or three-person system, is so that you are:
...in the right place,
...at the right time,
...observing the right thing,
in order to
...make the right call (which might be a no-call)"

Your seasoned thoughts and critique is appreciated in advance.

Is something missing? I can't see anything here remotely controversial. All this seems to say to me is that we need to use designated mechanics to cover the game properly.

MD Longhorn

Hartsy wrote
Is something missing? I can't see anything here remotely controversial. All this seems to say to me is that we need to use designated mechanics to cover the game properly.

Sounds to me (especially when combined with the other thread) like he's writing something to be read or presented, and he's looking for our input.

Fred - if you're limiting this topic to positioning, then don't call the topic Mechanics - call it positioning ... your fellow officials are correct that "Mechanics" includes both positioning and signals/communication.

I would add that proper positioning is important to ensure that you and your partner are covering as much of the court as possible with as little overlap as possible.

BigT

For me the last few months since camp season is this. I think we miss plays because we can not anticipate and see between players to know if illegal contact has happened. When I am watching my PCA I try to anticipate and move to a position to make a call. It helps me move it helps be get more calls right. If a more experienced official could state more it would be helpful to me.

Freddy

mbcrowder wrote
Sounds to me (especially when combined with the other thread) like he's writing something to be read or presented, and he's looking for our input.

Fred - if you're limiting this topic to positioning, then don't call the topic Mechanics - call it positioning ... your fellow officials are correct that "Mechanics" includes both positioning and signals/communication.

I would add that proper positioning is important to ensure that you and your partner are covering as much of the court as possible with as little overlap as possible.

That is a very helpful suggestion. I see the issue you're solving for me. I'll refer to it as "positioning" rather than "mechanics" from now on. There is a
I like the concise way you expressed your last thought, too.
Thanx!