Talking to players

[Randa16]

I don't offer advice to players or tell them to watch it or be careful why? It's not my job I am there to call the game not be there coach. I think you are setting yourself up when you do that. If I tell gold to get out of the lane and the other ref pops black for 3 seconds now the game is not being called fair. If they ask I will answer but never offer.

[Raymond]

I guess I'm getting fired because I'll tell a kid 'hey watch your screen, they are getting close to a illegal; or hey watch it with the elbows after a a whistle.'

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Coach Bill

On the NCAA level, each year the officials come in before the season and talk to the players/coaches about new rules and things they're emphasizing, and they'll officiate scrimmages/exhibition games to get the kids/coaches used to it. It's a good practice. I'm guessing they probably do it in the NBA, too.

Are you saying it's not done at the HS level? Because it is, here.

[Rooster]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Are you saying it's not done at the HS level? Because it is, here.

Here too.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

Are you saying it's not done at the HS level? Because it is, here.

Here, too. See above.

[Coach Bill]

Here - the HS coaches go to a pre-season meeting, with the assumption the info is trickled down. I don't know if it happens at all NCAA schools, but at UMD, officials came to the gym, went through demonstrations, situations, and interpretations, and the players and coaches got to ask questions. It was excellent.

[Nevadaref]

There is a major change going on with how basketball games are called. We have seen it with the NCAA enforcement of handchecking, two-hands on a ball handler, armbars, etc. The instruction that has been coming out in the past couple of years is to blow the whistle and let the players and coaches adjust. This is replacing the previous method of talking to players early in the game about their hands or other transgressions. The philosophy that is coming down the pipeline now is to call the offense the first time that it happens without any warning.
People who have been officiating for 15-20 years will have to decide whether to get on board with this or continue to work as they always have. What those in charge in their areas desire will determine the impact of this choice.

I know that things are not as organized and there is far less oversight at the HS level than for NCAA. So some HS areas will likely continue as they always have, while others will proceed in a manner more closely resembling the current NCAA instruction. What one has to do depends upon one's local area.

[JRutledge]

I talk to players before they even do stuff. Even in many cases I say things so they can hear me. And when I do call a foul they are aware I was watching them. My talking is never a substitute for calling a foul. I do not think the two things are mutually exclusive. You talk to players when you have the opportunity to talk to them. You call the foul when something obvious takes place. And many times talking to players is after a foul or violation is called. I do not know how many times I have called a travel on a kid and had them ask, "What did I do?" Or when you call a foul the player says, "Well he pushed me first." Then my answer is often clarifying what I saw or letting them know "I saw exactly what you did......" and they react accordingly as if they know I saw what they did. And they are going to continue to talk to us when they see their pro counterparts do the same at that level when they watch TV. You can name any NBA player and when they disagree they are talking to an official. You have to learn how to navigate those interactions whether it is with a T or talking them out of other bad behavior. I do not think you have to be a robot and only call things when players and teams play differently and approach us differently.

Peace

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Coach Bill

As a coach, I don't think it's right for refs to talk to players in ways that give them an advantage. For example, "watch the 3 seconds", "watch the handcheck", "keep still on that screen". Just call it. Why are you coaching/advising them? I like to think my team knows how to avoid 3 second calls, guard without handchecking, set proper screens, etc... Why is my opponent being aided?

I've sat courtside at many NCAA and NBA games, and I can't remember hearing an official saying a word to a player about what he is currently doing wrong. They just blow the whistle and call it.

Don't see why high school varsity should be any different.

In the season ending NCAA-Men's video, John Adams specifically tells officials to help prevent free throw violations by talking to the players. In fact, he added an animated cartoon dialogue bubble to the video to illustrate his point.

And if you watched the A10 final Sunday, there was one official who visibly talked to the players the entire game, even during live action.

[Coach Bill]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

In the season ending NCAA-Men's video, John Adams specifically tells officials to help prevent free throw violations by talking to the players. In fact, he added an animated cartoon dialogue bubble to the video to illustrate his point.

And if you watched the A10 final Sunday, there was one officials who visibly talking to the players the entire game, even during live action.

What was he saying? I've seen/heard them talk to players, too, at the NCAA level. Lots of times. My point was I never heard them say "No two hands on the ball-handler", "remove that armbar", "move out of the lane #3", etc.... They don't tell them what they're currently doing wrong, they just call it. However, i have seen/heard similar things at the HS level.

I'm curious, what did John Adams suggest to say to players to prevent free throw violations?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Coach Bill

What was he saying? I've seen/heard them talk to players, too, at the NCAA level. Lots of times. My point was I never heard them say "No two hands on the ball-handler", "remove that armbar", "move out of the lane #3", etc.... They don't tell them what they're currently doing wrong, they just call it. However, i have seen/heard similar things at the HS level.

I'm curious, what did John Adams suggest to say to players to prevent free throw violations?

I say all the time, "Hands, hands, hands" or "Lane, lane" and no one hears me but the players. And I never hear a coach say anything to me or even know I am saying anything.

Peace

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Coach Bill

...I'm curious, what did John Adams suggest to say to players to prevent free throw violations?

It involved players not along the lane line crossing the 3-point line too early, and the bubble said "Wait until it hits!".