I probably wouldn't especially since half the time I don't ask them at all because I've forgot their numbers even though it was only 5 minutes before.

We've Been Here Before
 

Q: If that player did not know English, or if he had laryngitis, or if he was dumb and could not use his voice, would that invalidate him from that contrived role?
:-) 3-1-1 :-)

Speak No Evil ...
 

I am fully aware that the NFHS only recognizes one captain on each team, however:

I will "speak" to any player, not just the "speaking" captains, and not just the captains, if they approach me politely, even if it's the players on the end of the bench who come in during garbage time.

I will use any of the captains, not just the "speaking" captains, or any of the players (not just the captains) who appear to have any leadership skills, to help me to defuse "chippy" situations, to prevent these situations from escalating.

Before I toss the ball to start the game, I make a general statement, "Everybody ready?", and this is not only directed to the captains, or to the "speaking" captains, but to all the starting players.

That's my story, it's served me well for thirty-two years, and I'm sticking to it.

I also realize that there is a certain amount of "When in Rome .." involved here, so, to each his own.

Before I toss the ball, I blow my whistle and then tell the jumpers I go straight up, I don't bounce the ball. If the other 8 players aren't ready I'll let my partner(s) handle that.

I bounce, right about the time I get to the circle.

I should probably say something as I approach, but I don't. I just hit my whistle, drop the whistle, and walk in from the sideline.

Never have. Never will. If a player comes to me and asks me a question or a request to watch something as long as it's done in a respectful and courteous manner I will gladly oblige. Regardless of whether or not they are the captain.

I will never tell the captains it's the grey line ...

My message is something like this.

Shirts tucked in.
Subs to the table.
Nothing goofy in the hair ( for the girls season)
take care of your players

good luck, have fun.

With the coaches- introduce myself.

Remind them to indicate if they want a 30 or 60 and to break the huddle on the 1st horn. Good luck, and have fun.

I couldn't find the thread, but I love Adam's coaches meeting. I think it goes something like this:

1. Legally equipped?
2. Good sportsmanship
3. There's the coaches box

Done.

Want To Borrow My Slide Rule ...
 

Not me. I tell them that I will toss it so that it forms a parabolic curve toward the northwest end of the gymnasium. The gives the honor student-athletes a slight advantage, and encourages all the players to pay attention in mathematics, and geography, classes.

BadNewsRef: Seriously. Why would you choose to say this? Are there any other acceptable ways to toss? Do you have a lot of poor tossers in your local association?

We need a like button on here. As a math teacher, I loved this.

Everyone else bounces the ball at least once when they reach the circle...I come in ready to toss, no bounce. And I'm 6'5", so I make those kids really jump to get it.

Any of them just wait for gravity? :)

If I were a coach, I wouldn't even worry about the opening tap. I'd just set up for a defensive tip and look forward to getting the first AP arrow.

Hey, Give Me A Break, I Hadn't Had My Morning Cup Of Coffee Yet ...
 

Now I get it. By "straight" up you mean that you're going to toss it right away, it doesn't mean that you're going to toss it in a straight line, even though you probably will.

Damn...

So how often do you have to replace your eyes?

The Eyes Have It ...
 

Actually, I'll be having cataract surgery within six, to eighteen, months, depending on how rapidly the cataract in the better eye progresses. To be honest with all of you, I'm scared to death about this procedure. The only good thing? When fans, and coaches, yell at me this coming season, "Are you blind?", I'll be able to truthfully reply, "You're damned right I am".