Unnessary Mechanic?

[River Ref]

Sometimes after a 3 second lane violation I'll have a coach ask me as to which of his players violated. I've had it asked of me much later in a time out when heck I can't remember. So now after a 3 second call I motion the 3 with my arm coming to a rest at the hip. With my arm still down by my leg I'll give a quick player 4 2 while in direct eye contact with the coach. They seem to appreciate it and give me a little nod of thanks.I don't think that the fans even notice it. Thoughts?

[APG]

I will verbally state who committed a violation:

"White 32...Three second violation!"

[Nevadaref]

I refrain from verbalizing a number unless asked by the coach as I've seen it cause confusion for the table crew and a foul gets erroneously recorded.

[Coach Bill]

As a coach, we appreciate it so we know who to yell at, I mean teach.

[APG]

Originally Posted by Coach Bill

As a coach, we appreciate it so we know who to yell at, I mean teach.

My experience...in the rare 3 seconds violation that is called...the coach, more likely than not, is gonna ask who the violation is on. I'll just preemptively identify the person before he has to ask me.

[Freddy]

. . . Debate Question?
"If it isn't obvious which player committed a three seconds violation -- if the official needs to signal on whom he called the violation --, was it really significant enough that it had to be called?"

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

I refrain from verbalizing a number unless asked by the coach as I've seen it cause confusion for the table crew and a foul gets erroneously recorded.

Agree. That's exactly what we teach rookie officials here, in my little corner of Connecticut. A good high school varsity table crew probably won't make that mistake, but a bad freshman, or middle school, table crew might. Plus, it's not the proper technique according to the (IAABO) mechanics manual.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Plus, it's not the proper technique according to the (IAABO) mechanics manual.

How do any mechanics ever get changed? Someone tires something different, and it works, so it gets adopted.

I do recognize that it's a slippery slope between trying something, and having everyone use his/her own mechanics.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

How do any mechanics ever get changed? Someone tires something different, and it works, so it gets adopted.

I worked with a young, up, and coming, official a few weeks ago, that used his own version of a three second signal. Instead of having his signal hand down by his upper leg, he had it up, slightly below, his shoulder. It was easy to see by all, coaches, fans, table crew, and me, his partner. I encouraged him to show his "new, and improved" three second signal to our interpreter, who could pass it on to IAABO.

If change is for the better, I'm all for it, otherwise we would still be climbing the ladder and taking the laced ball out of the peach basket.