Exiting court
 

In two different threads I have seen reasons to sprint "blindly" off of the court after the final horn (T on a celebrating coach who retuned) and to stay and have a conversation (end of game in Northern VA).

How "deliberate" are you when leaving the "visual confines" after a close game?

Cover All Bases ...
 

Really close game, with some last second theatrics? I make eye contact with my partner to make sure we ended the game on the same call. Then, I make eye contact with the entire crew at the table, timekeeper, official scorekeeper, and the visiting scorekeeper. Then, I glance, just a glance, nothing more than glance, at both head coaches, take a final glance at the scoreboard, find my partner, and we make a slow "jog" out of the gymnasium.

If there any sign of a problem, then my partner, and I, are heading for the table to get anything that needs to get straightened out, straightened out.

Once it is clear the game is over, I leave ASAP. It really is more based on the size of the crowd and how close the exit is to the court. Sometimes that means we have to sprint, other times it is a quick walk. I have been in games where I had to walk through fans, so you do not want to run like no one is in your way, but not stand around waiting for milk and cookies either. And if you have an administrator that is cool an doing their job, it makes it easier to allow them to lead us the right way.

Peace

Exiting the court?!?!?!?

Not here in Massachusetts.:)

I jog briskly to the nearest boundary line in the direction of the locker room. I then wait for my partners.

And the reason I no longer work HS games in Massachusetts.

After the final horn I look for my partners and we get out together--quickly. One time our third (a fillin for that night) decided he was going to lecture a coach right after the game--like a last word lucy. We waited about a minute for him and then said the hell with him. 30 minutes later he comes in after the two of us had showered, dressed and were about to leave. Unreal.

If I walk onto the court....then I walk off the court. No need to change either.

After national anthem and introductions I do jog on to the court.

If there is no reason for any controversy ... I generally meet my partner at the table and thank the clock operator/scorer. If there is a reason to not want to do that, I'm doing what BadNewsRef said and clearing the playing area, but not leaving the visual confines until my partner(s) get there so we can leave together.

Of course the take away from the Northern VA game was that if there is any question/concern, go find your partner immediately and discuss before heading off.