Table for 2 Please!
 

So far this season, I have had more table issues than in years past. I had 2 correctable errors in the same week when I normally would get one all season!

Both involved the score board showing 7 fouls and the player shooting the 1+1 and then the table hitting the horn saying both books only show 6 team fouls. This all happened before the next dead ball so correctable.

A weak table can make the crew look bad and lead to discussions and shot clock corrections etc...all of which makes the game more challenging to work:rolleyes:

Any suggestions on handling the table better?

Our problem has been the timer with subs. No horn or hitting the horn after a missed free throw and the other team has the ball to mid court.

I have thought about creating a short one page document outlining all of the responsibilities that are important to game management for the table to do. One section for the timer, one section for the scoreboard operator and one for the books. Things such as when to sound a horn, books to compare scores and fouls periodically, no changes to book unless informing the officials ( I wonder how often this happens and we don't know about it) etc.
Does anyone else care to help and we can make one now? What else would you add?

Instructions to and Duties of Scorers and Timers for Basketball Games

Concerning table crews, not always are you going to get personnel who have a full knowledge of what they are doing, nor know the rules concerning their roles/responsibilities.

Concerning shot clock rules, those vary by the state depending on the timing regulations.

You might want to see if the one on the NFHS site under basketball works for you.

Unless they've revised the documents recently, they haven't yet updated the instructions to say no bonus/free-throws are awarded for team-control fouls.

NFHS Instructions To Scorers And Timers ...
 

In my 11 years I've only had 2. Some tables may be less experienced than others but in my experience all that means is more "management" from the officials.

I ask the shot clock operator one question, "does the shot clock reset on a jump ball?" depending on their answer and how they answer I can tell their level of experience and knowledge. Other than that, there is NO amount of talking you can do to the table, or "teaching", that will make much of a difference in your game.

I ask the book one favor, to verbally let us know when a team reaches 5 and 6 team fouls. 99.8% of the time the will get one of these right :D.

Is your answer your looking for from the operator "is this a trick question? "

Table problems... Don't get me started. At least 1 per week when the timer does not start the clock. I try not to yell, "Start Clock". I just keep a count in my head and when it is appropriate, then I blow the whistle and have them take time off. Geeez
Last night was the worst. After the 1st quarter the scorekeepers spend at least 10 minutes trying to get all the score book corrected. I tried to say that the book at the table was the official book. Make the adjustment in the secondary book and more on.

OK here are my rules for scorekeeping-I am probably one of the more tenured scorekeepers in my section,having served at my school as the full time varsity scorekeeper since '06-'07.

*Verbal notification-warn officials after reporting the 6th and 9th fouls that the next foul brings about the bonus/double bonus.
Ex-"Bonus on the next Tom"

*Timeout notification-Notify officials when the following occurs:
A.Team has used their final timeout of that type (indicate count)
Ex-"Final full for white Tim."

B.When both teams have exhausted the same kind of timeout.
Ex-White uses a :30 with 2:20 in the 4th.It is the last :30 for both sides."Final :30 for white Bob.All timeouts are now fulls (indicate count).

C.Two point shot where shooters foot is on the line-When I have a situation where the shooter's foot is on the line and the official marks it with 2 fingers to their waist I yell "Two" "Two" for both the other scorebook and timer to hear.

D.If handling multiple games do as much prep as you can before your first game of the day.

E.Keep a running audit of the fouls on the bottom of the book.We use the mark V books-on the bottom you have no room for this so when I cross off the team foul I mark the jersey # of the player committing said foul.

F.When a timeout is called with a side having only one type left signal the type remaining before the official goes to the huddle to ask the coach.Signal that a team has used their final timeout with a closed fist (left hand indicates the home team is out,right hand indicates visiting team is out) and verbally warn.

No, its a great question to ask a shot clock operator.

Every time there is a foul, look at the board and watch the number get posted, then inbound the ball. If you do that how can the foul total on the board be incorrect?

I'm stunned that you have so many CEs. I've been involved in 1 in 17 years.

Of the things that you do F is the only thing that I would want from a scorer.

No, it's a terrible question. The shot clock has nothing to do with the jump ball.