put ball in play across the lane?

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

... mechanics are guidelines not hard fast rules.

From your post (and many previous posts, in many previous threads), mechanics sound like they are not hard fast rules where you officiate, and that's fine, where you officiate; but mechanics (and signals) are hard fast rules here in my little corner of Connecticut. Cadets (rookie officials) are taught IAABO mechanics, utilizing both the written manual, and floor training, and all officials are expected to use them, and to do otherwise may negatively impact one's ratings, ranking, and the number, and level of games, that one is assigned. This will impact rookie officials, and veteran officials, alike.

[Rich]

I wish we could fine you every time you use the phrase "my little corner of Connecticut."

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Rich

I wish we could fine you every time you use the phrase "my little corner of Connecticut."

It's because I can't speak for the entire state of Connecticut. Even though Connecticut is 100% IAABO, each of the local boards has their own way of doing things.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

It's because I can't speak for the entire state of Connecticut. Even though Connecticut is 100% IAABO, each of the local boards has their own way of doing things.

It's kind of like we have six little fiefdoms. We're all IAABO, and there is a state board, but each of the six local boards may do things a little differently than the other five local boards. That's why, here on the Forum, I always try to separate myself from the rest of the State of Connecticut. Since I gave up coaching middle school basketball ten years ago, I really don't know what's going on in the other five local boards, I never watch their officials work games, and I seldom have a chance to talk to officials from other parts of Connecticut.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

It's kind of like we have six little fiefdoms. We're all IAABO, and there is a state board, but each of the six local boards may do things a little differently than the other five local boards. That's why, here on the Forum, I always try to separate myself from the rest of the State of Connecticut. Since I gave up coaching middle school basketball ten years ago, I really don't know what's going on in the other five local boards, I never watch their officials work games, and I seldom have a chance to talk to officials from other parts of Connecticut.

How many times do you hear me say, "in my little corner of Wisconsin?"

You're missing my point.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Rich

How many times do you hear me say, "in my little corner of Wisconsin?"

Our local board has a very strict policy about remaining anonymous when posting, as an official, on any type of social media. Rather than making a big deal about being secretive, I always just say, "In my little ..." (it's actually quite little, 325 members, seventy schools, compared to entire state organizations, or metropolitan organizations, often referred by many Forum members), when referring to the way that we do certain things here on my local board, especially when I am pretty certain that many other officials around the country, and around the world, may do these certain things very differently (not right, or wrong, or better, or worse, just differently) than we do. If the moderators don't like it, they are free to delete it (not that they need my permission).

[Kansas Ref]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

Our local board has a very strict policy about remaining anonymous when posting, as an official, on any type of social media. Rather than making a big deal about being secretive, I always just say, "In my little ..." (it's actually quite little, 325 members, seventy schools, compared to entire state organizations, or metropolitan organizations, often referred by many Forum members), when referring to the way that we do certain things here on my local board, especially when I am pretty certain that many other officials around the country, and around the world, may do these certain things very differently (not right, or wrong, or better, or worse, just differently) than we do. If the moderators don't like it, they are free to delete it (not that they need my permission).

*well-stated!

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by Rich

I wish we could fine you every time you use the phrase "my little corner of Connecticut."

He'd be so poor he couldn't afford a belt or a slide rule

[Rich]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

He'd be so poor he couldn't afford a belt or a slide rule

Or an extra whistle in his pocket so he can remember who gets the next AP.

[jpgc99]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

to do otherwise may negatively impact one's ratings, ranking, and the number, and level of games, that one is assigned.

Serious question on this... If someone moves to your area with decades of experience at the high school and small college level, is your association really going to restrict the number of games they get because they don't follow the mechanics to the strictest degree possible? Even if they are an absolute rules expert and the best communicator and game manager your group has ever had?

I ask in all seriousness because I've worked for a lot of people that say what you are saying. But the reality is often quite different. Rules knowledge, communication, and game management often go a lot further than strict adherence to mechanics.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by jpgc99

... restrict the number of games they get because they don't follow the mechanics to the strictest degree possible?

Mechanics is only one small part of any observation, and rating. For example, poor mechanics may mean getting twenty-eight varsity assignments instead of thirty varsity assignments.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

From your post (and many previous posts, in many previous threads), mechanics sound like they are not hard fast rules where you officiate, and that's fine, where you officiate; but mechanics (and signals) are hard fast rules here in my little corner of Connecticut. Cadets (rookie officials) are taught IAABO mechanics, utilizing both the written manual, and floor training, and all officials are expected to use them, and to do otherwise may negatively impact one's ratings, ranking, and the number, and level of games, that one is assigned. This will impact rookie officials, and veteran officials, alike.

I am an official that has worked 3 sports at one time and college in each of them and no mechanics are hard fast as you try to make them be other than maybe a starting point like where you stand when putting the ball in play or where you start with runners on base or where you stand going in the 10 yard line. But no mechanic is in stone when play is going on or even covers every possibility. That is why you go to camps and we have classes or discuss mechanics at meetings to cover what people know or have learned is best like what happens on a BC violation situation that comes from the C position. And if you are a student of the game, there is a reason Referee Magazine has published books which cover things that never are published in your IAABO or NF books.

And where I live, we want rookies to go to camp to learn how to officiate and watch other officials to learn the idiosyncrasies of the mechanics. And around here we do not just do 2 person, we do 3 which requires a greater ability to work with your fellow officials. Even when I worked the State Finals, we spent a couple of hours going over mechanics and procedures that were stated and were not stated.

The simple fact Billy that you are mentioning something that is not listed, should be a sign that mechanics are "guidelines" if you read this board. Many people have said that, not just me. But for some reason you focus on me. Maybe you need to get out of the corner sometime.

Peace

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Maybe you need to get out of the corner sometime.

I am a firm believer in the "When In Rome ..." principle. If I ever officiate in another area, I will be prepared to makes changes in my mechanics, and those that move here should expect to make changes in their mechanics. It's not a matter of right, or wrong, it's just "different".

At camp this weekend a D1 guy told me it's ok to do this in the backcourt. I've never seen it done in a D1 game on TV so take that for what it's worth.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I am a firm believer in the "When In Rome ..." principle. If I ever officiate in another area, I will be prepared to makes changes in my mechanics, and those that move here should expect to make changes in their mechanics. It's not a matter of right, or wrong, it's just "different".

Is it sort of how things in the Chicago area are sometimes different?