Small Mechanics tips

[WhistlesAndStripes]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Don't chase after balls that go out of bounds, or bounce away after a foul, or violation is called, going deep into corners, under bleachers, far away, as in field houses, etc. The kid's can't play without a ball. It will always come back to you. Keep your eyes on the players, not on the bouncing ball.

(This works in theory, but, sometimes, not so in practice. Sometimes you just have to politely ask a player to please go and get the ball.)

This doesn't work so well with "adults" in rec leagues. A couple of times I've asked a player to go grab a ball for me, only to be told, both times, by one of his TEAMMATES that that was MY job. I whacked without hesitation both times.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

This doesn't work so well with "adults" in rec leagues. A couple of times I've asked a player to go grab a ball for me, only to be told, both times, by one of his TEAMMATES that that was MY job. I whacked without hesitation both times.

Over thirty-three years, I've had three different local high school interpreters tell us that the ball always comes back to the official. I want to stand up and scream, "No, it doesn't always come back".

Of course, sometimes the whistle sounds and nobody is in possession: 10-3-5-B: A player shall not delay the game by acts such as: Failing when in possession, to immediately pass the ball to the nearer official when a whistle blows. We can ask for help, but, I guess, that we can't require that a player helps us?

Bottom line, try to keep your eyes on the players as much as you possibly can (I'm still refusing to go deep into corners, under bleachers, and far away, and I'm willing to wait a very long time for that ball to come back to me).

[WhistlesAndStripes]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Of course, sometimes the whistle sounds and nobody is in possession: 10-3-5-B: A player shall not delay the game by acts such as: Failing when in possession, to immediately pass the ball to the nearer official when a whistle blows. We can ask for help, but, I guess, that we can't require that a player helps us?

Actually, Rule 2-3 does allow us to require that assistance.

I thought there was something in the rule regarding unsporting conduct that something about refusing to follow an instruction given by an official. Apparently I was mixing this up with the football rulebook, which does contain such a statement.

So for basketball, I just hang my hat on Rule 2-3 for this one.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

Actually, Rule 2-3 does allow us to require that assistance.

Ah. Rule 2-3. The plumber's helper (Sorry Freddy) of the basketball officials' world.

[JRutledge]

I am aware that where you work ultimately dictates what you might do. I just feel that I want to look like everyone that does this at the highest level does so that I am not seen as a lesser than official before I get started. And that is why my pants are tailored in a way that they look sharp as well. If someone wants to do something different, that is on them. It is their career. I just know what I am going to do. What you do does not hurt me, it only hurts you or helps you depending on how you look at it.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

... it only hurts you or helps you depending on how you look at it.

Since I'm following my local uniform guidelines to the letter, then it can only help me, since it can't hurt me.

I was initially concerned with the small amount of "reflective white" on my new Zigs this season, but the rating committee has approved them for use on our local board. It seems that last season a few officials were rated poorly for "Appearance" because (according to written comments) of the white on the Zigs (all back means all black), so the rating committee put a stop to that this season. Thank God, because if I thought that the Zigs, with a small amount of white, were going to hurt my rating, ranking, and the number, and level of games, that I was assigned, I would have "shelved" them in a New York minute, and my wallet would have been $89.00 lighter. Once I was confident that they were "approved", I bought a second pair. My feet never felt more comfortable while working a basketball game. I feel sorry for you guys that stick to an "all black means all black" local policy, because you either don't know what you're missing (it's like running on air), or you have to get out the black Sharpie. Thirty years ago, I had to put a dab of black paint on the white "spot" on the back of my Spotbilts every few weeks. What a pain. Back then, all black really did mean all black.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Since I'm following my local uniform guidelines to the letter, then it can only help me, since it can't hurt me.

This isn't necessarily true.

[JRutledge]

OK Billy. I know you are following guidelines that your area has set. Actually you would be following the guidelines here too. If you were paying attention, no one said you would get pulled off of games or fired just because you wore a belt. You would still get games and likely a lot of games. There are more than enough JH, Men's leagues, travel ball games to go around. Heck you would likely still be assigned JV and Freshman games too.

Peace

Originally Posted by Whistles & Stripes

This doesn't work so well with "adults" in rec leagues. A couple of times I've asked a player to go grab a ball for me, only to be told, both times, by one of his TEAMMATES that that was MY job. I whacked without hesitation both times.

Is that really worth a technical? I think I would just laugh and keep waiting until they get me the ball.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by AremRed

Is that really worth a technical? I think I would just laugh and keep waiting until they get me the ball.

Unless there's something really, really, unsporting about his vocal tone, body language, or he uses a few choice words, or gestures, I'm probably not charging a technical foul here either.