"Don't point fingers"

An aside: I was recently discussing a play on the court during a timeout and pointed to the spot of the play. After the game one of my P's told me never to point when discussing a play -- people in the crowd might see it and think we are discussing something because we got it wrong. Is that something I should care about?

[Freddy]

No problems when it's done by the book (cf. Faceless Pictograph Guy/Girl):
5-4-1.
5 - Upraised open hand subsequent to whistle for violation
4 - Direction play will resume
1 - Location of throw-in (used to be 2, but picto-graph guy changed last year)

A "deal-breaker"? Maybe not with all responsible authorities. But it's promoted as the standard for signaling and just looks good when everyone in the pool does it the same.

As to general pointing, no big deal.

Pointing to the bench of the team who fouled (the "Accusatory Point") when reporting to the table was branded "verboten" and considered unapproved several years ago.

Pointing at the spot of the violation when no approved signal is given is approved by the manual. Nothing impolite about that.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by AremRed

An aside: I was recently discussing a play on the court during a timeout and pointed to the spot of the play. After the game one of my P's told me never to point when discussing a play -- people in the crowd might see it and think we are discussing something because we got it wrong. Is that something I should care about?

I've had a couple of mentors who are adamant about not pointing or doing any type of arm movements while having a discussion with partners, and especially with coaches.

[bob jenkins]

If your assignor cares, you should care.

[bballref3966]

What about pointing to the offending player/coach after a T?

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by bballref3966

What about pointing to the offending player/coach after a T?

If T'ing a coach, I will point in the general direction of the coach/bench while looking at the table when I first signal the T. When I report it, I do so as I would any other foul.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

If your assignor cares, you should care.

I think @raytheref is a pretty compelling force here...

[stripes]

You should obviously do what your assignor wants.

Beyond that, I highly doubt that anyone outside of the refereeing avocation notices how we point. They only (sometimes) notice that we do. As for stronger/weaker, etc. that is all a matter of personal opinion.

I agree with Rich. I am way more concerned with having partners who are in position and who consistently make good calls. I don't care how they point.

[Welpe]

I just checked out his Twitter feed. It's like a non-stop stream of camp speak or sales seminar jargon...hard to tell which but potentially it could be both.

Remember folks, coffee is for closers!

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Welpe

I just checked out his Twitter feed. It's like a non-stop stream of camp speak or sales seminar jargon...hard to tell which but potentially it could be both.

Remember folks, coffee is for closers!

Seven minutes of Alec Baldwin. Yes, I went and watched.