Telling Teams Direction They Are Going?

[tophat67]

As referees, are we obligated to tell the teams which way are going at the start of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters?

I had an instance where a player came up to me and said, "Hey, I know which way we are going, but we are going to run a trick play."

[Adam]

Originally Posted by tophat67

As referees, are we obligated to tell the teams which way are going at the start of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters?

I had an instance where a player came up to me and said, "Hey, I know which way we are going, but we are going to run a trick play."

I always say the color and point before the quarter starts. I don't make a show of it, though.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BatteryPowered

Also, as far as the throw-in mechanic...I do that as soon as the teams break the huddle. But I will not point again, just give them the color. In high school most of these kids have been playing basketball for 6-10 years. If they don't know the direction of play or weren't paying attention coming out of the huddle that is a coaching issue...not an officiating issue.

Interesting. Every time I administer a throw in following any delay (timeout, injury, intermission, etc), I point and say the color right before. I don't change anything just because someone might be trying a bush-league trick play.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Adam

Interesting. Every time I administer a throw in following any delay (timeout, injury, intermission, etc), I point and say the color right before. I don't change anything just because someone might be trying a bush-league trick play.

Exactly.

[BatteryPowered]

Originally Posted by Adam

Interesting. Every time I administer a throw in following any delay (timeout, injury, intermission, etc), I point and say the color right before. I don't change anything just because someone might be trying a bush-league trick play.

Who said I change things. I always do it the same way. When the teams break the huddle I state the team color making the throw-in and point in the proper direction. After that, I stand with the ball on the appropriate hip until the player is there. Make sure any defender is aware of the plane...take a couple of steps aways from the player...give a toot of the whistle when my partner(s) are ready...bounce the ball to the inbounder. That is the mechanic. The rule book and/or case book DOES NOT state I have to keep pointing in the direction of play every time some kid with the attention span of a 6 month old baby ask "Who's ball is it?".

[Rich]

Originally Posted by tophat67

As referees, are we obligated to tell the teams which way are going at the start of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters?

I had an instance where a player came up to me and said, "Hey, I know which way we are going, but we are going to run a trick play."

Me: "That's great. Blue!" (while pointing the proper way so everyone can see it).

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by tophat67

As referees, are we obligated to tell the teams which way are going at the start of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters?

I had an instance where a player came up to me and said, "Hey, I know which way we are going, but we are going to run a trick play."

tell? Yes (but as with all mechanics, when in rome...)

Make sure the defense is at the right end? No.

[BatteryPowered]

I have had this happen several times. I have just got into the habit of moving the the division line and hold the ball on the side that we should be going. If asked which way we are going by ANY player, I just answer with the color...Something like "It's blue's ball."

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BatteryPowered

I have had this happen several times. I have just got into the habit of moving the the division line and hold the ball on the side that we should be going. If asked which way we are going by ANY player, I just answer with the color...Something like "It's blue's ball."

We are not obligated to help a team with a trick play.

I point and give a color to both teams at the start of every quarter or half. Why would I avoid doing so just so a team can run something that will likely bring me trouble?

Thankfully, I've had one team tell me they're doing this in the last 20 years and the defense didn't buy it for a second.

[deecee]

Originally Posted by Rich

We are not obligated to help a team with a trick play.

I point and give a color to both teams at the start of every quarter or half. Why would I avoid doing so just so a team can run something that will likely bring me trouble?

Thankfully, I've had one team tell me they're doing this in the last 20 years and the defense didn't buy it for a second.

Except when I coached and my first game coming out of halftime I told my inbounder to let the official know we know which way we were going. We had everything down to a tee. Except the inbounding official that told the defense at least 5 times which way they were going and that we were lined up on the wrong side of the court. I was more surprised that I didn't get a T after that.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by deecee

Except when I coached and my first game coming out of halftime I told my inbounder to let the official know we know which way we were going. We had everything down to a tee. Except the inbounding official that told the defense at least 5 times which way they were going and that we were lined up on the wrong side of the court. I was more surprised that I didn't get a T after that.

Good for that official.

[referee99]

Starting a Period:
1. The throw-in to start the second, thrid, and fourth quarters and any extra period shall be administered by the Referee at the division line opposite the table.
2. Indicate color and direction, designate the throw-in spot, sound the whistle to alert players that play is about to begin, place the ball at the thrower's disposal.

[Indianaref]

I too have had several teams try this, mostly AAU stuff. The team that tries it always ended up losing the game, usually pretty bad. It just tells me they trying to pull every trick in the book and the coach always has a behavior problem.

[deecee]

Originally Posted by Indianaref

I too have had several teams try this, mostly AAU stuff. The team that tries it always ended up losing the game, usually pretty bad. It just tells me they trying to pull every trick in the book and the coach always has a behavior problem.

Why is this a behavior problem? It's just strategy and preparing your players to understand game situations.

[RookieDude]

Originally Posted by referee99

...sound the whistle to alert players that play is about to begin...

...there it is...