"Unofficial" signals
 

Any rule set really, but specifically NFHS. What unofficial signals do you use? Are there ones you avoid? This could include anything from signals after fouls to communication signals between partners.

I avoid the foul tip like the plague on blocked shots.

We communicate that we're in the bonus once we get to the sixth team foul.

IAABO stuff
 

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Connecticut is 100% IAABO, and this is not an official IAABO signal. We're a bunch of rebels here in the Land Of Steady Habits. In fact, were more like a motorcycle gang than an officiating organization.

Tapping one's chest is the IAABO signal that one has the coverage on the last shot. It's not in the official IAABO signal chart, but it is in the IAABO mechanics manual, so you decide if it's an "official," or "unofficial", IAABO signal.

Veteran old timers, here in my little corner of Connecticut, will, during a break in the action, extend their arm, with a fist, toward their partner, and rotate their fist clockwise, and counterclockwise, in a ratcheting manner. This is our secret code for, "It's getting a little too physical out here. Let's tighten it up a little". Of course, now that I've told you, I'm going to have to kill you.

Here in my little corner of Connecticut, we use these three signals, even though they're not in the stupid official IAABO signal chart.

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Delayed dead ball is a signal under NF rules. If you use NF rules, then that would be appropriate.

I have been known to use the "tip signal" on out of bounds play. I have also used the "Gator chop" on held balls that were topped by a defender. No one has ever cared either way.

Peace

Stupid IAABO Mechancs Manual ...
 

Please don't get me started. I don't know why IAABO switched from NFHS mechanics to IAABO mechanics to begin with.

I am not talking about switching, just stating that signal is in the rulebook. It is not a "special" mechanic to a state or organization, this was in the actual rulebook, not the mechanics book. Or is this something they leave out with those combined books?

Peace

Again, Stupid IAABO Signal Chart ...
 

IAABO members do not get an actual NFHS rulebook, just the IAABO version of War and Peace, a combined IAABO handbook, NFHS rulebook (without a NFHS signal chart), NFHS casebook, an IAABO Two Person manual, an IAABO Three Person manual, and an IAABO signal chart. We have been instructed to only use official IAABO high school signals, but, as I said earlier, we're a bunch of rebels here in the Constitution State.

In HS, I will use "hit to the head", "knee", and "hook / wrap" as additional signals after illiegal use of hands, push, hold when reporting to the table.

When communicating information with my partners, the last thing I'm worrying about is whether or not it is an "official" signal.

Billy is right, IAABO states don't get NFHS rule books, we get IAABO books tht are basically reprinted NFHS books with their (IAABO) own signal charts; but it all comes down to where you work. I wasn't even aware the delayed dead ball signal isn't in the book. We use it here, and by no means would I consider going over-the-top and call us "rebels." :rolleyes:

Once Again, Stupid IAABO Signals ...
 

How about the five second throw in violation, and the intentional foul excessive contact, signals?

I've never used the excessive contact signal; the only reason I even know it exists is because of the interwebs. The five second throw in violation, like the delayed dead ball signal, is something I didn't realize wasn't in the book. I admit I don't read the signal chart anymore. Maybe I should.

Warning, off-topic response.

What a lovely avatar you have. :D

Hard Foul ...
 

I probably only use the intentional foul excessive contact call once, or twice, a season. It's a great tool to have in your tool belt.

It's perfect for the defensive player, who is going for a block, but in a reckless manner, and knocks the shooter four rows into the bleachers. We have been taught to state, "Hard foul", along with the arms down signal.

This will often prevent some of our more knowledgeable coaches from questioning us about his player, "Going for the ball". It also helps with the less knowledgeable coaches who still question us about his player, "Going for the ball", when we can defuse the situation with a simple, "I called a hard foul coach". Of course, some coaches lack any rational reasoning ability, and no signal, or mechanic, is going to defuse the situation, in which case we can offer to serve the coach some tea. "One lump, or two, coach?"

Interesting, because whenever I make any signal not listed in the book during a camp or observation I get dinged for it.

Signals toward your partners? Like the hook 'em Horns signal to make sure the crew knows the bonus is in effect? Acknowledging who has the last shot?

I can see unauthorized signals towards the table being dinged.

Well considering that the "kick signal" was used for years as well as the new "tip signal" long before they were approved, I guess it depends on what the information you are sending.

Peace

My Mom Will Be So Proud ...
 

How do I bronze a Forum post?

Had a conference clinic today. Rules interpreter told us that on illegal screen calls we need to use any signal we can think of that most accurately describes the act when reporting to the table.

Back on track! College I presume?

I've been told not to do the "hook 'em horns" signal, but rather the "two index fingers" to signal single bonus. However, during play (perhaps when one team is stalling for final shot), I find the horns signal is much quicker.

As someone else mentioned the "last shot" signal is unofficial but should be essential. Here we just pat our chest, how is it done in other areas?

I just don't see why at any level an evaluator would ding intra-crew signals. They should be happy you are communicating.

Tauromachia ...
 

We've been instructed not to use the "hook 'em horns" signal when, as the lead, administering a one and one free throw. Nothing has been said to us about intra-crew one and one signals.

that's completely backwards, as I'd expect from you and your area. You need to move into this century.

The correct mechanic is to give a chest bump to your palm.

Wow, talk about OOO (Overly Observational Observers).

As for the last second shot, here, we point one finger in the air. The official who has the last shot chest bumps his palm.

Thank you. I absolutely despise seeing guys pat their head to indicate a last second shot. I'm waiting for them to rub their tummy as well.

2 years ago IAABO published an article in the sportorial advising against people patting their head. This was done as it could lead to confusion due to it being the signal for a shot clock violation in the NCAA.

:) Speaking of funky signals, have you seen the NBA "one minute left" signal??

There is always going to be someone that has a bug up someone's backside about something. That does not mean ultimately you listen to them.

I had one clinician tell me not to hold my finger up for a last second shot. Then I was told by another clinician one make sure you communicate with your partners near the end of the with a finger up. Both were NCAA tournament officials and one worked the Final Four. One assigned a college league, and both worked in the same basic conferences. I just went back to what I was doing after the one told me to do something that was never a problem.

Peace

Said signal is to signify the clock will stop after a made basket...you'll see that same signal used with at the 2 minute mark of the 4th/OT.

That was how I was initially learned.

One Minute Left ???
 

Does anyone use an intra-crew unofficial signal to let your partner know that there's only a short time left in the period (one minute) so as to not be surprised by, and possibly miss, a close call (shot released) at the end of the period.

Over the past thirty-two years, we've had a lot of unofficial signals for this, head patting (like the clock violation signal), point to your wrist (I guess that it would be point to your cell phone now), single finger (for one minute), point to clock and turn finger clockwise (mimicking a clock), etc.

For most of my thirty-two years, many of us were reluctant to use any such signal at all, because we had an assistant interpreter, he was a by the book guy (no signal for this in the book), who also ran our training committee, who discouraged us from using any such signal. When questioned about why he discouraged such signals, he always responded that both of us should know how much time is left.

He retired a few years ago and now we're left hanging in the wind.

Although you both should know how much time is on the clock, it is good for the crew to know that the rest of the crew knows. End of game good shot/late shot situations are often thought of as the most important play of the game if it is a one posession ball game. Getting this call is crucial and your crew will sink or swim depending on if you got it right or not. It looks awfully bad when the covering official loses track of time and isn't even remotely thinking about if the shot is off in time. The communication between the crew I think is appropriate here. We use a one finger point to our Ps to verify they check the clock and know the time remaining. Some use the head pat thing but I will agree this can be confused with shot clock violation signiling so I don't like it.

I have to ask, did you even read the rest of the thread?

(Please don't quote all the posts in this thread about that issue.)

Left hanging? You guys afraid to step out on your own and throw caution to the wind?

One Minute Not Necessarily The Same As Last Shot ...
 

Did you read my post? I'm not talking about last second shot responsibility, I have already posted our unofficial/official IAABO chest thump for that. I'm talking about when the clock begins to wind down under a minute, which may not necessarily be the same as the last shot of the period. In the last minutes of play in any period, especially in a lop sided game, the kids may just keep on "playing basketball", not setting up for a last second shot. With only two officials here in The Land That Time Forgot, sometimes the two officials just get caught up in the up, and down, action on the court. If both of us don't know that there is less than a minute left, then there will certainly not be a last second shot responsibility signal. I am embarrassed to tell you how many times in thirty-two years that I have been surprised when the horn sounded to end a period. If one of us notices that there is about a minute left, he should communicate that with his partner, who, right, or wrong, might not know.

Same Old, Same Old ...
 

The assistant interpreter/training committee official who discouraged many from using such a signal had a far reaching effect on many officials on our local board. He was one of our top officials for many years, doing a state final almost every year for over twenty-five years. He was a mentor to many officials, including me, and still has many disciples. Our present group of interpreters/training committee officials seem to be reluctant to "teach" any unofficial signals, maybe due to pressure from IAABO "above".

That's why we have four different unofficial signals rattling around (head patting, point to your wrist, single finger, point to clock and turn finger clockwise), or no signal. If I can get an often used signal from you guys, I might step up and suggest it to the interpreter, and training committee.

One finger (no, not that finger) is used in the second half of college games because of the shot-clock rule.

One finger is used in the first half because it's used in the second half.

One finger is used in HS games because it's used in college games. ;)

My bad

The answer is the same, for most of us, regardless of what's going on with 60 seconds left.

When there will be a last second shot, we'll do the signals again sometimes if there's a change in possession.

Confused In Connecticut ...
 

Still confused? Clock winding down? One finger. I've got last shot? Chest bump. I like what I hear, sounds like what I would like to do, but how are the answers the same?

Because when we do this, we acknowledge who has the last shot, even if there's 60 seconds left. Although frankly, I tend to wait until about 30 seconds or so to do anything.

Whatever your CREW chooses to do...

I would strongly suggest to at least pre-game it so that you are all uniform and using the same signals...also, you have all agreed on using them and you all understand what these signals mean.

Same here...in college games I like to do it at 35 since it's the last possible shot clock scenario also.

Exactly.

1 minute so we get the shot clock right.

Last shot with about 5 or 10 seconds left.

Billy, you've been officiating for 32 years. You need to help set the tone for your association. You shouldn't be waiting for guys to tell you what is acceptable.

When In Rome, See What The Guys In Milan Are Doing ...
 

This is what I like: Clock winding down: One finger; I've got last shot: Chest bump. Plus, the chest bump is IAABO approved.

I don't like the head pat (not that anyone would be confused, it's just already an approved signal for something else).

Just want to see what's out there before I make my move.