Announcer Question - Points of Emphasis
 

I evaluate officials for our local HS group and wanted to ask for some feedback on a situation I observed Tuesday night.

It is determined in pregame that one of the shot clocks is not operating. So the compromise the crew chief came up with was to have the announcer - announce when there was 15 seconds left.

After the game, I told the crew chief that I appreciated his efforts to manage the situation, but I had reservations about this type of solution - especially given the NFHS Points of Emphasis this year regarding announcers. In addition, if let's say on a crucial possession, the announcer forgets to say 15, I think this potentially places additional liability on the officials.

While I did not mark down the official for this... I wanted to solicit some feedback.

We had it last night in our NCAAW game. Announce at 15, then 10-9-8-etc.

I think the NCAAM officials who followed us were planning on 15, 10, 5-4-3-2-1

Only on the possessions that were going in the direction of the clock that was out.

I think both teams should be subject to the same conditions. Disable the 2nd clock and have the announcer cover both ends. Or, simply play without a clock.

As for the NFHS direction on announcers, does that really matter if there is a shot clock? :eek: Seems like your area is not following NFHS anyway.

I would "mark up" the official for using common sense to keep the game fair and still allowing the shotclock to be used. Bob described how we have done it in collegiate games. We have been directed to leave the working shot-clock on and only announce when going opposite as well.

+1. Been forced to do this a couple of times for NCAAW. This way no team gains any kind of "advantage" from one clock being out.

At the high school level ... we have them turn both clocks off and have a 10 sec. backcourt count.

John Levinson addressed this specifically in one of his most recent "Ask Jon" responses. It is to leave the working clock on.

Without looking at Jon's response - since I'm having trouble getting into Arbiter - I'm sure he referenced NCAAW 1-19-2 and 1-19-3. Two visible clocks are required and you have to have an alternate timing device if one of them malfunctions. Shutting off the one that works isn't an option, at least at the college level.

DATE:

12/2/2014

RULE:

1.19-2

QUESTION:

If, at any point during a game, one of the shots stops working (and there are no portable devices ready), how do you proceed?

ANSWER:

The game will continue with the one functioning shot clock. If both devices fail to work, then the shot clock operator will use an alternate timing device at the scorer’s table and will cause the time to be announced for both teams.