Small Mechanics tips

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

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

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

Yes, sometimes we do. We discuss it with our partner, who also has a pocket whistle, and look to the arrow at the table, maybe having a discussion with the arrow operator. That discussion usually involves remembering the most recent arrow change. If all else fails, and we can't come up with a logical determination, we have a two out of three (me, partner, table) rule, but it usually never makes it that far.

Note: Some of us, those that work Catholic middle school games, are really good at switching pockets. There is no possession arrow at the table for any of these games. It's all on the officials, so some of us are really good at this "mechanic". For those of you that don't work middle school games, there are a lot of held balls to keep track of, especially in a middle school girls game.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Yes, sometimes we do. We discuss it with our partner, who also has a pocket whistle, and look to the arrow at the table, maybe having a discussion with the arrow operator. That discussion usually involves remembering the most recent arrow change. If all else fails, and we can't come up with a logical determination, we have a two out of three (me, partner, table) rule, but it usually never makes it that far.

Typical high school discussion once I look at the possession arrow at the table and realize that my whistle is in my wrong pocket:

Me (to partner): "Which way do you have the arrow going?"
Partner (after checking his pocket): That way (points)."

If he, and the arrow at the table are the same, and I'm different, I will switch my pocket, unless I definitely remember that I'm right (seldom happens), at which point we will continue our discussion at the table.

How many times does this happen during the high school season? Once. Twice. Maybe a whole season without a mistake by me.

If he has the same direction as me, and the table is different, we will have a discussion at the table to see if we can figure it out (it's usually the crew at the table forgetting to change it after throwin after an intermission).

Typical Catholic middle school discussion (no possession arrow at the table) when my partner is about to go a different direction than my pocket whistle after a held ball, or intermission:

"(Insert sound of crickets chirping here)".

How many times does this happen during the Catholic middle school season? Once a game. Maybe none during a game.

[Dexter555]

Billy--the official who is talking to Charles Barkley in the Capital One commercial is wearing a belt. Is that you?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Yes, sometimes we do. We discuss it with our partner, who also has a pocket whistle, and look to the arrow at the table, maybe having a discussion with the arrow operator. That discussion usually involves remembering the most recent arrow change. If all else fails, and we can't come up with a logical determination, we have a two out of three (me, partner, table) rule, but it usually never makes it that far.

Note: Some of us, those that work Catholic middle school games, are really good at switching pockets. There is no possession arrow at the table for any of these games. It's all on the officials, so some of us are really good at this "mechanic". For those of you that don't work middle school games, there are a lot of held balls to keep track of, especially in a middle school girls game.

It's not hard to get an arrow at a table. An empty water bottle will do. Wouldn't start without SOMETHING there.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Rich

It's not hard to get an arrow at a table. An empty water bottle will do.

Agree 100%. A pencil could work also, it has a point, it's easy to change the direction, it's cheap, it's portable, and it's easy to find.

The Catholic middle school league, the entire league, not just some schools, all fifteen schools, that I officiate in doesn't use a possession arrow at the table. My assigner for that league is also on it's board of directors, and he doesn't see the need (ignoring the written rule) for a possession arrow at the table. He expects his officials to keep track of the arrow. He's our assigner. We do what we're told.

We (both officials) are also expected to email the league director (c.c. to the assigner) the scores for all the games that we officiate, as soon as we get home from the assignment. He's our assigner. We do what we're told (I hate this directive).

He also wants us in full high school uniform (no sweats, no sneakers, patched jersey, etc.), sans jacket, for all of our games (even those involving fifth, and sixth graders). He wants us to enforce all fashion police rules. He's our assigner. We do what we're told.

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.

[OKREF]

Originally Posted by 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.

It is if it's on your side. 2 man mechanics of course.