Help From The Table ...

[BillyMac]

Keep in mind that I'm looking at situations like whether, or not, a try hit a wire above the rim on a try; or whether, or not, a try went through the basket, for example, on a player fouled in the act of shooting?

[Scrapper1]

Years ago, I was working a 2-whistle JV college game with a partner who was sick and sleep-deprived. I was the Lead when a long jumper was taken which bounced high off the rim and then dropped in.

At the next TO, the table buzzed us over and said, "Was that a 2 or a 3?" My partner asked which shot they were talking about. The scorer said, "The one that bounced off the shot clock."

My response, "If it comes off the shot clock, it's a 2".

I don't think that really helps to answer your original question. But it's a story that I've always found funny. I think the answer to your actual question is that you cannot get information from the table about actions on the court. You can get help on timing issues, but I don't think the scorer and/or timer have any jurisdiction to offer rulings on floor violations.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

I think the answer to your actual question is that you cannot get information from the table about actions on the court. You can get help on timing issues, but I don't think the scorer and/or timer have any jurisdiction to offer rulings on floor violations.

Since 2007, only a few Forum members have interpreted that the table crew can help with floor violations, so I guess that you're right.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

My worst call of the year: Girls varsity. A few seconds to go in the first quarter. I'm the trail, responsible for the shot and the clock. A-1 attempts a three-pointer from my primary with no defender near her. Still no horn. I watch the flight of the ball. It clangs off the rim and bounces high above the rim. Still no horn. In a boys game, I would be watching for basket interference, but since it was a girls game, I decided to glance at the clock, due to the new definite time knowledge rule, in case of a rebounding foul. Tenths of a second left. I turn back to the ball and basket to see the ball enter the basket at the buzzer. I count the three-pointer to end the quarter.

A few Team B players politely tell me the ball hit a supporting wire. I can also tell from the reaction of the crowd that it probably hit the supporting wire. I go to my partner who was the lead, to see if he can help me. Of course he can't, which I already knew, because his responsibility is to keep his eyes down, looking for rebounding fouls. But I ask him anyway, to show the Team B head coach, who is questioning my call, that I'm trying to get as much information as possible. My partner says that he didn't see it hit the supporting wire. I tell the Team B head coach that I can't change a call without definite knowledge, and I say "I'm sorry if I missed it". He says, "Sorry doesn't take away the three points" and appears very upset with me.

In the locker room at halftime, the junior varsity officials, who had stayed to watch the varsity game, say that the ball did hit the supporting wire. Going onto the court after halftime, the Team B head coach apologizes for losing his temper, which never even approached the need for a technical foul. I accept his apology, and explain to him that I missed the ball touching the supporting wire because I had glanced at the clock to check the time. Before the second half started, all the members of the table crew, from both teams told me that the ball had hit the supporting wire.

My question: Since the scorers and the timer at the table are considered part of our officiating crew, could I have gone to them for help on this call at the end of the first quarter to correct the call ?

Should I have done anything different?

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Keep in mind that I'm looking at situations like whether, or not, a try hit a wire above the rim on a try; or whether, or not, a try went through the basket, for example, on a player fouled in the act of shooting?

Do you have a citation saying the table personnel are to be used for these purposes?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Do you have a citation saying the table personnel are to be used for these purposes?

No, not at this time. That's what I'm looking for, or something contrary to that.

[deecee]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Keep in mind that I'm looking at situations like whether, or not, a try hit a wire above the rim on a try; or whether, or not, a try went through the basket, for example, on a player fouled in the act of shooting?

If it's something you would discuss with your partner(s) about, then you can certainly use the table crew for additional information.