How long is 5 and 10 seconds?

[jdccpa]

I went to two ref camps this summer. At the first camp they told us to practice in front of the microwave at home to get our 5 and 10 second counts correct.....an evaulator at the second ref camp asked me "what the hell was I was doing counting so fast?".

Second camp evaluator told me to count "one-thousand and one", etc. which usually works out to be about 7 or 8 seconds on the 5 second count and about 15 seconds on a 10 second count.

Help.

[cmathews]

I think most people are surprised at how quickly you count if you are counting by the clock. We had a guy in our association that I watched and thought he counted way too quickly, until I watched the clock in conjunction with his count....I personally try to match the clock, and make it a strong 5 or 10 second count (5+ 10+) just to make sure...if you get counting slow or fast and a coach is watching the clock, there will be trouble...

[Back In The Saddle]

I've also tried counting along with the timer on the treadmill and eliptical at the gym. Looks a little strange, but who cares?

[mick]

My visual count for 5 (Closely guarded) usually starts at "Two".
My visual count for an administered throw-in will start at "One"
My visual count for 10 usually starts at "Five".

mick

---

Like Lawrence Welk, the little voice in his head keeps saying, "One, two, three, one, two, three, one, two, three...."

[rainmaker]

Originally posted by jdccpa
I went to two ref camps this summer. At the first camp they told us to practice in front of the microwave at home to get our 5 and 10 second counts correct.....an evaulator at the second ref camp asked me "what the hell was I was doing counting so fast?".

When you can, keep an eye on the clock during a game. Not on a second by second basis, but watch where it is when it starts and then look where it is when the ball crosses the division line. Did your count come close? This is a good way to practice.

I feel okay if the clock is about a second longer than me, but not any other lee-way. you definitely don't want to call the violation when there are only 9 seconds! You can bet the coach will be watching, especially on a throw-in, especially near the end of a close game.

I'm not sure how reliable a microwave is, but it gives you a feel for "faster than the old vet who only does JH now". Try counting as you watch the clock before a game starts.

[Hawks Coach]

Originally posted by mick
My visual count for 5 (Closely guarded) usually starts at "Two".
My visual count for an administered throw-in will start at "One"
My visual count for 10 usually starts at "Five".

mick

Just curious - why is this?

[JRutledge]

Stand in front of your microwave and start counting with the timer while using your hand signals. This will give you some idea of how long it takes and you will create a muscle memory of some sorts to be as accurate as possible. Also another trick, look at the clock if it is in view. The higher you move up, the more you will have to take a peek every now and again to get that correct. Because if you are in the backcourt and know the time was :45, you can see how close you were to :35 when your count ends.

Peace

[ChuckElias]

Originally posted by cmathews
I personally try to match the clock, and make it a strong 5 or 10 second count (5+ 10+) just to make sure...

Chris' answer is exactly right. Strive to be accurate. Assume you are not.

[Mark Padgett]

I have a foolproof method for practicing my five second count. I live near a retirement community. I drive there and get behind one of the residents at a red light. The time between the light turning green and the person starting to move their car is exactly five seconds.

I haven't yet figured out a method for determining ten seconds, but I always know when it's 4:30 pm. That's when everybody in that community gets in line for their buffet dinner - with free dessert, of course.



[Edited by Mark Padgett on Aug 18th, 2003 at 07:51 PM]

[mick]

Originally posted by Hawks Coach

Just curious - why is this?

Hawks Coach,
My reason for starting there is because I have 'stopped counting' at those numbers (2,5) so very frequently.
That is to say, by 2 seconds and 5 seconds the count usually becomes moot. ...So, why do it?

Ain't nobody watching or worrying until the count gets critical at 3,6. My mind is counting, but I do not make it visible. ...Sorta like the count that isn't required in the lane.
mick

[BK]

And at micks age, he can't afford any wasted motions!

Just kidding!

[mick]

Originally posted by BK
And at micks age, he can't afford any wasted motions!

Just kidding!

BK,
Yer not kidding.
I lost 8% of my weight to help fix that problem, and now I'm only 92% fat.
...Looking forward to some Jr.High games on a small court.
mick

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally posted by mick

I lost 8% of my weight to help fix that problem.

That means that mick no longer worries about any "waisted" motions.

[mick]

Originally posted by Mark Padgett
.... The time between the light turning green and the person starting to move their car is exactly five seconds.

I haven't yet figured out a method for determining ten seconds ....

Uh, Mark, ... use both arms....
mick

[Mlancaster]

A really good camp/training mechanism is to have officials line up, close their eyes, and proceed with a visible 10 second count. Very few will be at or under the 10 seconds....most will be well over.
Food for thought...I recommend something like this as a part of your training or even general meetings. Most officials will be VERY surprised that they do not have accurate counts!