I understand the philosophy here, but no high level ref I want to emulate gives a preliminary signal on every foul. There are fouls that demand a preliminary like a block/charge decision, hand checks, and holds. Most other obvious fouls like hits and pushes I signal while reporting.

My mechanics tip is to look at the clock whenever possible. Made sure it runs after every chop, note the time when starting a back court count, and made sure it stops on every whistle.

Brass In Pocket, I'm Special (The Pretenders, 1980) ...
 

I've got my whistle in my pocket, and I look at the team color on the benches (knowing that I must also know what half we're in). I know a lot of you guys don't like that (pocket whistle), but it's a "When in Rome" thing around here, almost mandatory.

At the horn ending the second period, my partner and I meet at the division line, opposite that table, and wait for the benches, and lingering coaches, to clear. Then we head toward that table, switching our pocket whistles, and we say to each other, "White to start the second half", and then the referee repeats this to the table, and has the scorekeeper switch the visible arrow.

No. People do not like officials using a whistle in their pocket for AP situations or gauge. I put a whistle in my pocket so I have an extra if it were to break or if my lanyard breaks too.

OK, if it works. Just seems like a lot to do just to remember something that should be obvious. To each his own I guess.

Peace

1) I tell newer officials to "Hit it and spit it." So many newer officials tend to keep the whistle in their mouth too much. I tell them that the whistle should be out at least 1/4 of the time they spend during a game - dead-ball after everything is settled and so forth. It usually helps one relax, and to look more relaxed.
2) On another point, I like to start wide, with my position as Lead and then move in as needed. I see a lot of officials virtually "pinching the paint" continuously, and then when the ball quickly swings down into their deep corner, they find themselves, to some degree, officiating with their back to the basket.
3) When a time-out is granted, I like to verify with my partner(s) the impending disposition of the ball, before we report the time-out to the table, and after the time-out, before we put the ball in play. I'm amazed ot how many officials have never done this, and treat the idea as something entirely new to them.
4) I also verify with my partner(s) the number of shots before we bounce the ball to the freethrower. Not only does it avoid mistakes, it demonstrates our intent to work as a crew, to the players and coaches. I see many officials go through the free throw activity as if they are three separate officials, with no communication at all. The message is picked up by the players that if we don't even want to talk to our partners, we probably won't be amenable to talking to them, either.

When In Rome ...
 

I'm not going to argue with you about this. It's an argument that is impossible for me to win. But, remember, Connecticut is "The Land That Time Forgot". When the alternating possession arrow was first used in high school games, our local interpreter thought that it would be a good idea to use the pocket whistle until the table crews got use to changing the arrow. I figured that we would do it for a year, or two, tops. We're still using it today. Why? Old habits die hard.

Confucius Says ...
 

During timeouts, and even during intermissions, the official with the ball should hold the ball on his left, right, front, or back, as a reminder about which way we're going after the timeout, or intermission.

At the same time, when the throwin is on an backcourt endline, partners should signal to each other to remind themselves whether it's a designated spot throwin, or a "run the endline" throwin.

There is nothign to argue. I have stated my position on that usage of a whistle i the past. And I do not know where you are from has much to do with that practice. And I change things every year, so I do not know why what was told when the rule was changed has much to do with today?

Peace

Welcome To The 20th Century ...
 

And I don't either. Remember, this is Connecticut. Two person games. Pocket whistles for alternating possession. And, yes, black belts.

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And two of those things have to do with you. I am sure not everyone is doing those things either.

Peace

Who cares what "people" think? (rhetorical question) Two weeks ago I saw the R on a D1 game toss the ball up and immediately switch the whistle in his pocket. He did it on every AP situation too. There is no right way to do it, just opinions on whose way is right.

I've heard the exact opposite at a college camp. They said unless you need to talk to keep the whistle in your mouth at all times so you can be prepared to blow it if necessary.

The "deep corner" is not the Lead's area in NFHS/NCAA-M. If the ball is in the corner Lead is usually watching post play or screens right in his area. If the player drives from the deep corner into Lead's area then the Lead can pick that up, but Trail should have that play initially.

Something else I like to do is wait until the calling official signals the number of shots before I do at Lead or C. I always try to signal back in reply.

New Math ???
 

Just the belt, and it's neither encouraged, nor discouraged, here in my little corner of Connecticut, and since I'm comfortable with it, I will continue to wear it until someone tells me, "No more belts", at which time I will get two pairs of beltless slacks. If I don't use the pocket whistle I get marked down on my peer ratings. I do what I'm told to do by my superiors.

Well it matters if the people training or doing the evaluations thinks it is a crutch. Most people I know think it is a crutch. You should know things about the game just like you should know who is going to be shooting bonus on the next foul. Do officials right down on their hand when that is going to happen? No, and there is a reason they don't.

Peace

Train And Evaluate ...
 

Bingo. We train rookies to use the pocket whistle. And we evaluate our peers with understanding that they will use a pocket whistle as a double check aid, not as a crutch.

Once again, these are personal decisions you choose to do, just like people would choose to say those things you consider not appropriate on your little article. And that is why we disagreed about one of those items. But I know there are more people opposed to wearing a belt than if you tell someone "Don't move."

We are all independent contractors at the end of the day. But we are judged by things that right or wrong that we may do or say in different ways. But I do know one thing, I see no one wearing a belt at any major level. Just like in football I do not see someone with an adjustable hat. I do not want to be "that guy." And since no one wears a belt in a basketball contest that is participating directly, I am not going to advocate anyone wearing one. If you cannot let it go, that is on you.

Peace

That's fine, but you made a blanket statement that "people" do not like officials doing this. You and I don't do it and probably never will, but we shouldn't look down on other officials if they choose to do it that way.