Things Officials Should Probably Not Be Saying In A Game ...

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

We're what you call experts and we should be using the correct terminology. And many of these, with the possible exception of the earrings, are not factually based on the rules.

Yes we are experts, but we are not talking to experts.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

With the exception of the earrings statement, I never said what officials should be saying, I just said that we shouldn't be saying these. Sometimes silence may be the best statement.

So you are silent when you see them in the lay-up line and then when the first time they come out with earrings or tape over their ears you say nothing until everyone notices? Now you have sent a player off the court that cannot play until the issue is taken care of and then you involved the coach for the first time. This again is about communication. If you say nothing they might make a scene. And this is not usually a 2 second conversation either. I also did not say that this is all you say.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

My two possible answers, "Designated spot", or, "You have the whole line", either accompanied by the appropriate signal. Both statements are 100% correct by rule. "You can't move" is never 100% correct by rule.

Most players have no idea what you mean when you say "Designated spot" or what that means they can or cannot do. So saying that and expecting them to know is silly to me. Sorry, but that is beyond silly. Now I say to a player that can move around the end line, "You can run the endline" as that is how they know move along the end line and usually how they ask a question about their ability to do so. Saying "Anywhere along the line" is silly to me when we are trying to communicate to them.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

So you are silent when you see them in the lay-up line and then when the first time they come out with earrings or tape over their ears you say nothing until everyone notices?

I never said that. This is what I said:

Originally Posted by BillyMac

"You have to take out your earrings" (instead of "You can't play with earrings").

So when a player passes by me, in the layup line, with earrings, I say ""You can't play with earrings". I'm not telling them that they have to take off the earrings, I'm just telling them that they can't play with the earrings. After that, I don't care what they do, but they're not playing with earrings. This is a long time local "mechanic" based on some liability issues, and I have no problem if others state this directive differently, i.e., "You have to take out your earrings".

This was the only statement on my list where I indicated a better statement. I purposely did not suggest better statements for the others.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Most players have no idea what you mean when you say "Designated spot" or what that means they can or cannot do.

Agree 100%. However, they do know what, "Don't move", means, and that statement is not factually correct based on the rules. They can move either, or both, feet anywhere within the three foot wide designated area. They can move one foot to the left side, or to the right side, of the three foot wide designated area, as long as they keep one foot in the three foot wide designated area. And they can move as far back as they can, taking as many steps as they want to, in the five second time limit. Spin that anyway you want to, but that's moving, so why would anyone, not necessarily you, tell a player that they can't move on a designated spot throwin?

"Hey Mr. BillyMac, you told me not to move on my throwin a few plays ago, so why did my opponent get to move a few feet on a that last throwin? Why didn't you blow your whistle?

Also, I had to T up a coach this past year because he wouldn't stop complaining to my partner, who, as the administering official, let a player "move" on a designated spot throwin. The coach kept saying, "But he can't move". My partner tried, and I tried, to explain the movement limitations on a designated spot throwin, but he wouldn't accept any of that, he just kept saying, "But he can't move". Eventually, I had to tell him to, "Sit down".

[Mark Padgett]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

The coach kept saying, "But he can't move". My partner tried, and I tried, to explain the movement limitations on a designated spot throwin, but he wouldn't accept any of that, he just kept saying, "But he can't move". Eventually, I had to tell him to, "Sit down".

Just think, if you would have teed him up, you could have told him to "Sit down" and also "Now you can't move".

[Rooster]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Agree 100%. However, they do know what, "Don't move", means, and that statement is not factually correct based on the rules. They can move either, or both, feet anywhere within the three foot wide designated area. They can move one foot to the left side, or to the right side, of the three foot wide designated area, as long as they keep one foot in OR OVER the three foot wide designated area. And they can move as far back as they can, taking as many steps as they want to, in the five second time limit. Spin that anyway you want to, but that's moving, so why would anyone, not necessarily you, tell a player that they can't move on a designated spot throwin?

Fixed it for ya...

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Most players have no idea what you mean when you say "Designated spot" or what that means they can or cannot do. So saying that and expecting them to know is silly to me. Sorry, but that is beyond silly. Now I say to a player that can move around the end line, "You can run the endline" as that is how they know move along the end line and usually how they ask a question about their ability to do so. Saying "Anywhere along the line" is silly to me when we are trying to communicate to them.

Another thread:

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Maybe it's overkill, but our local interpreter has instructed us to indicate, "That's your spot", accompanied by pointing to the spot, or, "You can move" (Option: "You've got the whole line"), accompanied by a sweeping motion of the arm while pointing, on all backcourt endline throwins, and only backcourt endline throwins. Some will criticize that it's excess verbiage, and signalage, and not necessary, that the kids should already know this, but at least the statements agree with the actual rules. I believe that IAABO mechanics also require this, but I may be mistaken.

Originally Posted by Rob1968

NFHS Officials Manual, 2.2 PUTTING THE BALL IN PLAY 2.2.2 C End Line 5. states ; "When the clock is stopped, use the proper verbal and visual signal to indicate whether a spot throw-in or running the end line privileges are in effect." - Signal 26 = Spot Throw-in, Signal 23 = Run End Line.

[Travelling Man]

I wonder where the notion of admonishing players to "stay behind the half ct line during tech shots" originated? Must've had a logical origin--maybe to prevent aggressive behavior between opponents or shooter and the player that fouled.

[JRutledge]

Billy,

Keep in mind "Don't move" is not used to tell them the rule much of the time. That is so they do not follow you around away from their spot too. There are times when we bounce the ball to them and they go to another spot then where the violation or foul took place.

And once again, I really could give a damn about what the NF book says. We do not use it and it has nothing to do with a lot of basic things we do as officials. There are so many situations that book never covers and even when my state used it, the book was useless in so many situations. And even by things you have said here, your state does what they want as it relates to IAABO standards. I am glad you referenced the Manual, but not the end all be all of what we do.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

That is so they do not follow you around away from their spot too. There are times when we bounce the ball to them and they go to another spot then where the violation or foul took place.

I hate it when that happens, usually on sideline throwins, in the front court, below the free throw line extended, when the lead (two person game) has to make a long bounce to the inbounder.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I hate it when that happens, usually on sideline throwins, in the front court, below the free throw line extended, when the lead has to make a long bounce to the inbounder.

That is why I say "I'll bounce it to you there" then step away if I'm not already away. Much more appropriate than "don't move".

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

That is why I say "I'll bounce it to you there" then step away if I'm not already away. Much more appropriate than "don't move".

Eitehr way it goes, I am still saying, "Don't move." I think it makes little difference and nothing I have heard changes my mind or seems relevent to what a player thinks they can or cannot do.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Much more appropriate than "don't move".

Just about everything is more appropriate than, "Don't move", since, "Don't move", is in direct conflict with the throwin rules.