Small Mechanics tips

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

It seems tedious. and elementary, but if you do this you will never start the game by going the wrong way (involving an error by the officials). I've been doing this for thirty-three years, and I've never started the kids going the wrong way, from fifth, and sixth, graders, all the way up to high school varsity, games.

Do you really think that is because you go through that routine or is it because you look at them as they set up and make sure they are going the wrong way? I do the same thing you do, but that is not when I notice how the players a lined up. And many times in games I have had to switch players around without having did all the pointing that I do before the jump. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with the routine, but not sure that is the reason we stay out of trouble in this area.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Do you really think that is because you go through that routine or is it because you look at them as they set up and make sure they are going the wrong way?

I do this routine every time. In high school games, I've only had to switch them around a few times over more than thirty years. On the other hand, in my Catholic middle school games, this routine has helped me to avoid mistakes a least two, or three times, each, and every, season, especially with the "junior varsity" kids (fifth, and sixth graders), especially at the beginning of the season.

For high school games ("White. White. White goes this way."), my first two "Whites" are usually silent, to myself.

For Catholic middle school games, I will actually announce, in it's entirety, "White. White. White goes this way".

I know that it sometimes makes me look like a silly traffic cop, but I'd rather look like a silly traffic cop than like an idiot referee who starts the kids the wrong way.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I do this routine every time. In high school games, I've only had to switch them around a few times over more than thirty years. On the other hand, in my Catholic middle school games, this routine has helped me to avoid mistakes a least two, or there times, each, and every, season, especially with the "junior varsity" kids (fifth, and sixth graders), especially at the beginning of the season.

I was not asking you if you did the routine every time. I am saying do you really think that is the "reason" you have avoided teams going the wrong way. And partly I say this because you do not do that during quarter breaks or halftime and don't they go the right way then? I'm just asking.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

I say this because you do not do that during quarter breaks or halftime and don't they go the right way then?

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.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

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.

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.

Originally Posted by BillyMac

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.

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

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

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

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.

[BillyMac]

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.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

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.

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