What I say:

"Take care of you knuckleheads so we don't have to.

Good luck."

They're very good at pretending to listen (so yes, they're behaving just as they do in class.)

Coaches:

"Everyone properly equipped? Please have them ready to play at the 2nd horn. Good luck."

We do our coaches and players meetings seperate. I really like it that way, even though most of the kids don't really care, it at least gives some of them the chance to have a little bit of a stake in the meeting, and we aren't just talking to the coaches.
Anyways, players meeting is play nice, and listen to us, any questions? Good luck. 10 seconds or so max. Coaches "meeting" is simpler than anyone else's response I've seen: "Hey Coach, good luck tonight!"

Captain's meetings that I hold are over in 10 seconds.

"We expect good sportsmanship. Any questions?"
No!
"Good luck"

Coach's meeting.

"Any questions?"
No!
"Good luck"

Speaking Captain
 

I have only calling basketball for 4 years and I dont understand why do some officials as for the "Speaking Captain"? There is nothing in the mechanics manual about this, and there is nothing preventing any player from asking a question in the proper manner. Is there something I'm missing?

LOL Your probably right on that!! :D

IMHO, no, you're not missing anything, this is an outdated practice. I still work with a couple guys who do it, and at the end of the first quarter of a game earlier this year, I asked him, "Hey, who were those speaking captains?" And he had no idea. I wasn't trying to call him out or anyting (we're buds anyways, so no big deal), but my point was proven that not only is it irrelevant in the game, but we aren't even paying attention to who they are either!

No, you are not missing something. There is no rules, case book, or mechanics manual basis for anything involving "speaking captains". It is an archaic holdover from a long time ago. Unfortunately all of my Varsity R's this year asked for them.

2-7-1
3-1-1
3-1-2
3-3-1e
8-2
8-3

I could tell frezer11 who my captain(s) are, BTW. I always notify them that play is about to begin before I toss the ball, so I need to know who they are. My meeting still only takes 8-10 seconds.

For the lazy:

2-7-1 "The officials shall conduct the game in accordance with the rules. This includes: Notifying the captains when play is about to begin at the start of the game."

3-1-1 "Each team consists of five players, one of whom is the captain."

3-1-2 "The captain is the representative of his/her team and may address an official on matters of interpretation or to obtain essential information, if it is done in a courteous manner. Any player may address an official to request a time-out or permission to leave the court."

3-3-1e "A captain may request a defensive match-up if three or more substitutes from the same team enter during an opportunity to substitute."

8-2 "The free throw(s) awarded because of a personal foul shall be attempted by the offended player. If such player must withdraw because of an injury or disqualification, his/her substitute shall attempt the throw(s) unless no substitute is available, in which case any teammate may attempt the throw(s) as selected by the team captain or head coach."

8-3 "The free throws awarded because of a technical foul may be attempted by any player of the offended team, including an eligible substitute or designated starter. The coach or captain shall designate the free *thrower(s)."

Unfortunately, Rich missed the part where IAUMP was asking specifically about "speaking captains".

I can't tell if you are serious.

Per the rules, how many captains are on each team? How many are usually sent to the meeting?

Since most teams send more than 1 captain to the meeting, and technically, a "letter of the law" reading of the rule says there's only "one" captain for each team, most officials normally ask for the speaking captain.

2-4 players come to the meeting. By rule, there is ONE captain.

Read 2-7-1 again as well as the duties of the referee (or designated tosser) in the officials manual and then make a guess.

I don't know about "most," but that's the rationale.

I stopped asking once I realized it really didn't matter. I'd be fine if we got rid of this holdover practice.

Me too. Till they do officially, I'll continue to do it -- partially as one of those things that ties me back to the days when I started officiating.

To be honest, I don't care if others do this or not -- but I like to know what's in the books before I decide whether to follow along. :D

(Some of the old practices from my early years seem downright bizarre compared to this one. Like the trail signaling with two fingers after every made basket...the trail administering every free throw...the lack of action rule...working Cadillac and live-ball crossing over the court to "get back in Cadillac"....the fouler being required to raise his/her hand (that one predates me).)

OK I've seen the Cadillac position reference enough without asking...what was it?