Simply But Yet so Hard..sometimes
 

A call that seems simply but at times can be hard is the OOB call.

Coaches complain about OOB calls almost as often as block/charge.

Any pointers on improving OOB calls?:rolleyes:

Sell it.

Call what you see and move on.

Peace

1. Mechanics: get an angle, be in the right place to see the play. That doesn't guarantee you'll see it, but it improves the odds and is one less ground for complaint.

2. Coverage: if you're off ball and it shoots out past you, get help. Don't ball watch because you might miss an OOB.

3. Call: For NFHS, at least, use the stop clock mechanic. This gives your brain a moment to process what you've seen. Point and announce the color: if they don't match, again, you'll have a moment to process what's right. Slow down your calling and you'll make fewer mistakes.

4. Help: if a partner comes to you with info, take it, change the call, and move on. You should pre-game that nobody corrects an OOB unless they're 100% certain. Plus, now coach can go talk to your partner. ;)

5. Coaches: they don't get a long conversation about OOB calls. "Coach, I had it off white's foot. Let's go." It's a judgment call, and they don't get to argue it. If they persist, I use a simple "You might have seen it differently, but that's enough, coach." (I might converse more about block/charge because somebody gets a foul toward their 5 for that one.)

Stay wide.
Ask for help when necessary.
Get the next one right.

I better be standing right next to a coach to even have much of any conversation with a coach about and OOB call.

Peace

I've only given a T once when a coach argued about an OOB call. In an AAU game. We had the same angle on the play (I was standing in his coaching box), and he wouldn't drop it.

There Will Always Be A Next One ...
 

Like.

I'm not even listening to a coach about OOB calls. I wouldn't know if they were complaining or not.

Really? then please provide some examples, because I don't see that (and don't recall it from my early years of officiating)

(Note that I'm not saying you are wrong -- just that with specific examples we might be able to give additional specific advice in addition to the good general advice already contained in this thread.)

If you put the ball back in play quickly this usually gets them to move on.

This applies to NCAA men as well.

+1

I was thinking the same thing when I read the OP. I don't have this same feeling at all. :confused:

I had a hard time for the longest time putting color and direction together on these OOB plays, especially the quick ones. I learned to put my hand up first, say the color, and then point. Made it easier for me to process what I just saw.

This. A strong voice and no-doubt mechanic will work wonders. Whatever you do, don't ask the kids,"okay, who touched it last?"

I made the mistake of doing that in a middle school game. I made that mistake ONCE. THAT was a learning experience.

The Infamous One Person Game ...
 

The only time that this technique could be used is in a one person game, and if you officiate long enough, you will eventually work a one person game. Most of the time the kids are pretty honest and the game is better without a bunch of extra alternating possession situations.

Hi Bob...

I have experienced being questioned often OOB calls from middle school games to JV level and summer rec too. Especially when its under the basket and goes out on the endline in tight quarters.

That was off white's shoe or black touched it last..etc

Use Judiciaously and Sparingly . . .
 

Don't do this all the time. In fact, don't do this if you don't have to. Shucks, don't even do it.
At the risk of getting thoroughly lambasted, for which I'm ready, consider this . . .
Oftentimes the players themselves know who knocked the ball OOB. Just a brief pause to allow a slight, furtive glance at the players' reactions can give away what the correct call would be.
Note well: I'm not saying do this. But it seems to hold true the very few times I experimented with it. Or, I mean, I read about it somewhere. Or, I mean, BillyMac told me he did this all the time. :D

Whose coaching box?? :D

:)

I knew someone would say something, I only used "his" to indicate which box I was in.

If you are consistently getting comments about your OOB calls then I would say it may have something to do with the confidence you exude during these calls. You can't be hesitant with your whistle, it stills need to be immediate even if you still have information to process. When you do finally yell out a color there needs to be authority in your voice.

And finally, make it clear you are not entertaining any comments on the call. Get the ball immediately back into play.

Yep.

I tell new guys, "It's not his box. It's MY box. I let him use it if he behaves."

I always refer to it as "the coaching box" for the same reason.

I've gotten in the habit of saying "off red, white ball", my last few games I decided I was just going to say "white ball", but I fell back into my old habit. Does it matter as long as you are definitive with the call and signal?

IMO, Yes.

Too often, people won't hear the first word "off" and it will then sound like you are changing you mind.

Plus, if it's white's ball, then it must have been "off red'. So, it's just redundant. Saying less is saying more.

I had a habit of this also. The last camp I went to, I was told to just say red ball and point in the direction.

More is less.

Give the colour and the direction. If clarification is needed then offer it.

Yes it makes a difference....what is the purpose of saying "off red", isn't "white ball" telling us the same information?

Say "white ball" first, if further info is needed THEN say "off red 32/"hit red's foot/etc".

I don't say "ball", just "red" or "white" and point.

Good point. Someone might have a comment if you say "blue ball" at a girl's game. ;)