If fans don't understand what the signals mean, then the way I communicate them won't make any difference. My point was that Ohio's stance makes no sense: if fans comprehend what "hand behind the head" means, then it would be reasonable to assume that they would understand what a punch in the opposite direction means. If they don't understand one, they're not going to understand the other. I just don't get telling officials they "can't use a certain signal" because "the fans won't understand it." If the fans really care about understanding the signals, they can study the chart.

Don't say 2-5. Say twenty five.

Depends on the locale.

For us, associations make no assignments. Conference varsity games are assigned by commissioners, of which I am one. If I wished to use that as a criteria for our 20 boys and 19 girls programs I could. I've already made my feelings known.

If you're talking postseason, that's all in the hands of the state.

I'm really not fond of anyone who puts too much effort or worth in robotically following a signal chart. I'm much more interested in effort, positioning, and correct calls.

They Must Play A Lot Of Basketball In Rome ...
 

"Two. Five.", here in my little corner of Connecticut.

And who is going to stop me or anyone else that does?

This is about as silly a thing to get upset by if you ask me.

Peace

No one on this list really. Here it falls into the sport administrator (we have one for each gender) and they often have Head Clinician that conveys the message. I am a state clinician and it is who I have to listen to when teaching my camps. After that it comes back to the assignor who hires the officials for regular season game (many do not care), but the state administrator hires all the officials for the State Tournament. So at the end of the day, if they do not like your mechanics you do not work in the post season. And assignors want people that work the post season for their own credibility.

Peace

Chutes And Ladders ...
 

JRutledge: You've already made it to the top of the scholastic basketball officiating ladder, so you can pretty much do, within reason, whatever you want. Plus you're a clinician so I'm sure that you follow your own advice. So, to answer the first part of your question, nobody is going to stop you.

Now let's deal with some of the "anyone else".

For those starting at the bottom of the ladder, I suggest that they follow the advice of their assigner, and their interpreter (clinician).

If they say to say, "Twenty-five.", than by all means say, "Twenty-five."

If they say to say, "Two. Five.", than by all means say, "Two. Five."

If they say that either is acceptable, then do whatever feels right for you, but I would try to emulate the successful officials in your association.

If they're giving you mixed messages, then follow the advice of the one that will have the greatest impact on you moving up the ladder, probably your assigner.

Nfhs manual says say the whole number- I've always said(and will always say) the whole number when reporting. But.. It also says say the color and number directly after you call the foul- which I've never seen anyone do and I've never done (and will never do). The main thing I'm trying to work on during the offseason is my appearance- this includes losing weight, moving faster, better positioning as T (I have a bad habit of being a statue and backing out too early), and signaling.

Anyone else still signal blocking fouls with fists on hips instead of palms facing down??? I HATE the way the open palms look when you're trying to sell a blocking foul. The fists looks so much more crisp and believable. Please tell me I'm not the only one.

Blocking Signal ...
 

Here in my little corner of Connecticut, rookies are taught to use the proper signal (open palms), but after that, both signals seem to be "tolerated". For me personally, I usually go with fists at the site of the foul (probably because of observing old timers do it back when I was on my way up the ladder) and then go with open palms when reporting. I'd love to use the proper signal all the time, but it's tough to teach an old dog old tricks.

Stopping the clock with a raised fist and then signaling the direction of the ball while placing a hand behind your head is the proper NFHS mechanic and if you are new and/or being evaluated a a HS official, that's what you should do.
That being said, most veteran officials adopt a variation of the NBA style fist punch. If I do that, I give the proper PC foul signal when I report to the table.

Using a multiple whistle for a player control foul is a way to make it clear, particularly to your partners, that you are calling a PC foul. Block = single whistle and charge = multiple whistle. This is not a rule, this is simply a matter of personal preference and are one of the little nuances that help show your command of the game.

The proper mechanic for a team control foul is to give the normal raised fist foul signal and then to drop the fist so that it is facing forward. The proper mechanic is not a punch. Again, most officials have either adopted the punch or give the raised fist foul signal and point in the direction of the ball. Again, a multiple whistle helps signal what you are calling, but is by no means a requisite.