Small Mechanics tips

Originally Posted by johnny d

In case you didn't realize, my entire post was nonsensical.

I dunno man that advice about blasting a cheerleader was pretty good.

[Rich]

This whole thread turned into the usual nonsense about Connecticut officials wearing long-sleeved striped dress shirts and using pea whistles to officiate.

[johnny d]

Originally Posted by AremRed

I dunno man that advice about blasting a cheerleader was pretty good.

It works, but you have to be careful. A few years ago, a cheerleader's parent called the police when an official ran into their daughter. When the game was over, the police were waiting to question the official before he even went to the locker room and changed. We still give that guy grief every time he works a game where there are cheerleaders and very little room to maneuver.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by johnny d

In case you didn't realize, my entire post was nonsensical. I sincerely hope nobody runs backwards to see the players. You think anybody working varsity HS ball or college ball would ever seriously advocate that?

Hah, my mistake.

1 and 3 seemed reasonable. I didn't even read 4.

Originally Posted by ballgame99

When calling a foul, think Bang, Bang, Bang. Bang one is the fist and plant your feet, bang two is a preliminary signal, bang 3 is ball placement or signaling shots. Then go report. I like that one.

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.

[Rob1968]

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.

Originally Posted by JRutledge

People do not like officials using a whistle in their pocket for AP situations or gauge.

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.

Originally Posted by Rob1968

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Rob1968

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Rob1968

I also verify with my partner(s) the number of shots before we bounce the ball to the freethrower.

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.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by AremRed

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.

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

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Well it matters if the people training or doing the evaluations thinks it is a crutch.

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.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

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.

What do they do when they forget to move the whistle And yes, they will sometimes forget.

Peace

Originally Posted by JRutledge

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.

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.

[Rob1968]

AremRed: "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."

I understand that, for 3-man mechanics. And our Assignor emphasizes that we should be more mobile as Lead, even in 3-man mechanics. We still see many officials who set up as Lead within four or five feet of the lane, and never get any wider. So, when the ball is in their PCA, out as wide as the 3-point line, they, in effect, have to turn away from the center of the court.
I should've referenced 2-man Mechanics. I did about 60 games this season, of which 40+ would be considered training/mentoring newer officials, and we do all of those (sub-varsity) games with 2-man mechanics.