Giving Help: GSU/Xavier (Video)

[rockyroad]

When this is pregamed, I always tell my partners that I am not coming in with "help". If they have a question or want information, they can ask and I will come to them - but I do not run in there like that. I also tell them that if I have information, I will step to where we can see each other and give them a nice big smile - they can then ask for my info or not. It's up to him/her.

[jpgc99]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

When this is pregamed, I always tell my partners that I am not coming in with "help". If they have a question or want information, they can ask and I will come to them - but I do not run in there like that. I also tell them that if I have information, I will step to where we can see each other and give them a nice big smile - they can then ask for my info or not. It's up to him/her.

I'd rather you come in and tell me what you saw rather than standing there staring at me with a goofy grin. If I don't notice you, the perception is that you thought the call was terrible and are laughing about it.

Also, what if we don't change the call? It could give the appearance you know the call is wrong and are happy that we are giving the ball to the wrong team.

[rockyroad]

Originally Posted by jpgc99

I'd rather you come in and tell me what you saw rather than standing there staring at me with a goofy grin. If I don't notice you, the perception is that you thought the call was terrible and are laughing about it.

Also, what if we don't change the call? It could give the appearance you know the call is wrong and are happy that we are giving the ball to the wrong team.

Don't think I said "goofy" grin...but ok.

And if we ever work, I won't come in. You can ask, but I am not just charging in blowing my whistle multiple times. And if we work together, and you come in blowing your whistle like crazy, I will change the call before you ever get to me. And tell the coach who lost possession that he needs to take it up with you as you are the one who wanted the call changed.

[Rob1968]

Originally Posted by rockyroad

When this is pregamed, I always tell my partners that I am not coming in with "help". If they have a question or want information, they can ask and I will come to them - but I do not run in there like that. I also tell them that if I have information, I will step to where we can see each other and give them a nice big smile - they can then ask for my info or not. It's up to him/her.

This.
And I tell my partner(s) in pre-game, "You will have several calls in this game in which I won't know what you call until you give your on-site signals, because I'll be off-ball."
It's rare that I have info that will be helpful, on an OOB call, only such as a long pass that may come from my area into theirs, with a tip right off the hand of the player in my area.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Rob1968

This.
And I tell my partner(s) in pre-game, "You will have several calls in this game in which I won't know what you call until you give your on-site signals, because I'll be off-ball."
It's rare that I have info that will be helpful, on an OOB call, only such as a long pass that may come from my area into theirs, with a tip right off the hand of the player in my area.

I ask for help at least once a game it seems. Always as the Lead on a play where the ball goes OOB on the C's side.

[Rob1968]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I ask for help at least once a game it seems. Always as the Lead on a play where the ball goes OOB on the C's side.

That's perhaps the best example of a situation where it can be very helpful to ask a partner for help. And that's easy to pre-game, so that the communication is seamless, during the game.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Rob1968

That's perhaps the best example of a situation where it can be very helpful to ask a partner for help. And that's easy to pre-game, so that the communication is seamless, during the game.

I've attended a camp the last couple of off-seasons that is staffed by NBA personnel (strictly a teaching camp; I am in no way , shape, or form in the NBA pipeline). Marc Wunderlich says one for things he looks from a Slot official is if he is prepared to give help on OOB calls on the end line on his half of the court. He wants the Slot to take a step towards the end line and looking at the Lead to see if the Lead needs help. He says it is one of the intangibles that tells him an official is always engaged.

[Rob1968]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I've attended a camp the last couple of off-seasons that is staffed by NBA personnel (strictly a teaching camp; I am in no way , shape, or form in the NBA pipeline). Marc Wunderlich says one for things he looks from a Slot official is if he is prepared to give help on OOB calls on the end line on his half of the court. He wants the Slot to take a step towards the end line and looking at the Lead to see if the Lead needs help. He says it is one of the intangibles that tells him an official is always engaged.

Excellent advice. Several times this past season, the C in our HS crew stepped towards my L position, ready to assist on such OOB plays. When I had the correct call, our eye contact served to enhance the confidence we had among our crew. And, on a few other occasions, when I needed help, it was available, because the C had info regarding an early touch by a player in his area, and, as you said, he was engaged, to the point of being able to give assistence, when/if needed.

[crosscountry55]

Whistle at 15:51 second half, Duke vs. Gonzaga, South Regional Final.

C comes running in with information on an endline OOB play. L decides to accept the information and change the call. But coming out of the under-16 timeout, a CBS replay shows clearly that the L had the call correct, even if he was probably guessing based on the percentages.

When the offense has the ball in the front court and it mysteriously ends up OOB on the endline, usually it's because a defender poked it out. C thought he was 100% sure the Gonzaga player just coughed it up. That was bad information and a bad reversal.

I'm a fan of passing information when I have it. But I have to be 110% sure when I do. And I can kind of understand the opinion of others in this thread who choose not to come in with information on this type of play. You can kind of understand why based on this play.