Am I being "That Guy?"
 

Two things I do that always seem a surprise to coaches and sometimes to my partners.

1. Allow only the HC to stand. Three times this year, I have requested that only the HC stand when I see the AC standing for extended periods and each time they look at me like I'm from Mars. I have requested guidance from our Area Supervisor on this. No reply yet.

2. DOG warnings. Mostly after made baskets where the team that scored will subtly or not so subtly hold the ball, tap the ball etc. preventing the other team from throwing it in. I must be the only one calling it based on the looks I get from the coaches and the table crews.

1. While I'm not actively looking for it, if I notice it, I'll tell the head coach that only he can use the box to stand (save for the exceptions)

2. I would ask, is there any actual delay occurring? Is it an appreciable delay? If the opponent isn't in a hurry to throw the ball in, I'm not going to call it, unless it's egregious. I can say I haven't called a delay of game warning for interfering with the ball at all this year. From your description, I probably have nothing.

I only have to deal with #1 in YMCA and AAU games. School games of all levels have coaches who already know this.

#2, I only address if there is a noticeable delay to the new offense, or if the scoring team is somehow giving themselves extra time to set up their press. Even then, I'll give a verbal warning before I go to the book warning.

1. I find MS coaches simply sometimes forget this. I speak to the head coach, and it's handled internally. ("Hey Joe, sit down!") Occassionally, you get an overzealous AC that wants to be (or was) an HC. Just remind the HC that the coaching box is only for HC use, and his AC could cost him that use.

2. What others said. At lower levels, the kids typically don't know they're delaying. I like to look for intent here.

Either way, get some thoughts from your assigner.

1. I rarely have a problem with this since I only work high school games. The only time I dealt with it this season so far is when several players were standing while a play was going on. I just waited for the next whistle and reminded them that they need to stay seated.

2. I've only given one DOG warning this year I think. A kid on the team had tapped the ball after a basket and I told him to leave it alone. It happened again so I gave the warning. No one said anything.

If there's a press I will always give the official warning. At lower levels I have tried the pre-warning warning, and each time I've had the opposing coach ask why it wasn't an official warning, which I really had no good answer for. So now if I deal with it, it's always an official warning. I'd rather do it the right way than get myself in trouble later on by warning one team unofficially and then later in the game have the other team interfere significantly enough that I can't let it go.

Well the rule does not allow the AC to stand. How the rule is enforced is really up to your local body that overseas this thing. In our area we are told they cannot stand. But we try to message them into following the rule rather than first instance give them a T. Usually they comply when instructed.


I do not call a delay unless it really delays. Simply touching the ball is not enough. Sometimes they touch the ball makes it easier for the opponent to take out the ball. Now when they grab the ball and throw it out of bounds where it goes completely away from a potential thrower, then I have an issue with this action. Some coaches want us to penalize the minute a player touches the ball. And I will consider if a team is running a press as opposed to simply defending the half court. I try to use some preventative officiating as much as possible, but that does not always work.

Basically these come back to the 3 legs of officiating I was taught years ago.

1. Rules Knowledge
2. Mechanics
3. Philosophy

I try to be consistent in my application as much as possible.

Peace

I agree, but those who assign the ms games here (it really isn't an issue at the high school level) want us using preventative officiating on this issue.

If it's a delay, then give the official warning.

If it's not a delay, then give the "pre-warning" as a game management tool. That can be your answer to the opposing coach.

Not trying to hijack this thread, but I think this may tie in to the above question. I have also noticed a similar reaction from coaches/scorers when twice this season I've given DoG warnings for having to delay the game while one of the teams has to wipe up a water spill on the floor following a timeout. Is this a "that guy" thing?

Absolutely not. If there's any of those four that delays a game....!

I've never seen the huddling delay, either, though the 'attaboys' occur after each first of multiple throws.

I've called the water delay once, should have another time. Twice in a season seems like a lot, though.

It does seem like a lot, that's why I ask. I've never had to do it any other year though, so maybe it's a freak thing. I hope.

Most of the time, those don't delay the game.

I had to warn both teams for this in one game several years ago.