Selling Calls

[zm1283]

Originally Posted by bas2456

Wondering if you agree with this notion or not:

"If you have to sell the call, you probably didn't get the call right"

That's a direct quote from a GSL softball officiating newsletter-ish thing. But the notion applies to all sports.

So in basketball, do you think that notion is true?

There is the problem in all of this.

Lesson: Don't listen to what softball does. They do all kinds of silly business.

[JRutledge]

I think we overuse the term "sell" anyway. Most of the time I am just making a signal and if the call is close I might be more emphatic about the call if it is something not easily seen or understood. For example if there is a block/charge play but there was something that took place before that contact, I might be more demonstrative about the first contact that not everyone is paying as close attention to. If it is a normal shooting foul that is near the basket, it is another day in the park and a regular call and everyone understands why you are blowing the whistle. And I do feel that participants often know you are making a call more adamant because you are making it clear what you saw. And selling a call is not always being demonstrative. It might be moving closer to the play or doing so that your partners see you have something and back off what they are about to call.

Peace

[Rich]

You don't have to hop around like a frog or bang your hips six times to sell a call.