PC signal sequence

[BillyMac]

It has always been my contention, for the past thirty-four years, that there are as many player control foul signals as there are members of a board, or association. For some reason this signal, more so than any other, is a chance to "do your own thing".

My suggestion is to do what the best officials in your local association, or board, do; or go with what your mechanics manual (NFHS, IAABO, etc.) states. You probably can't go wrong either way.

For me (Mr. Boring, Vanilla, Conservative, BillyMac), I follow the IAABO mechanics manual:

Sound whistle, fist in the air to stop the clock, hand behind the head for player control foul, verbalize "Player Control", point in the direction that we will be going, and then point to the designated spot.

I only use the punch for a "true" team control foul (i.e., illegal screen). Not all player control fouls are also team control fouls.

But if the best guys in your local association, or board, use the punch for player control fouls, then it's not the worse thing that you can do to follow suit.

"When thou art at Rome, do as they do at Rome." (Miguel de Cervantes)