Showing numbers: NFHS vs NCAA

[IK13]

This came up after working a few times with partners who clearly were showing numbers differently than me. I do it as outlined in the NFHS rules here.

NFHS
(Net fault signal mechanics - points of emphasis)

“When an official is signaling the number of a player who has committed a violation, the signal should be given using the hand on the side at fault, if the number to be given is five or less. If the number is greater than five, the right hand is the base hand. For double digit numbers, the first digit is shown with the right or both hands, and the second digit with left or both hands. The number should not be indicated by reaching across the body to the side at fault, but rather the official should step to the side at fault and present the number, if the number is larger than five. If the number is less than 5, the right or left hand may be used, dependent upon which hand is on the side at fault.”

I seem to recall hearing that the idea for the right hand being the “base” is that whoever is looking at you (while presumably in front of you) is naturally reading (at least in the USA) from left to right, which for them would be your right hand first then the left. How is this important when reading 5+3 vs 3+5 is eluding me atm, but I seem to recall something like that.

With the exception of single hand numbers, in NFHS the numbers are always shown the same way, regardless of which side of the court they are shown to, with the right hand always being the base. 8 would be Right 5 Left 3, 12 - Right fist Left 2.


NCAA
(OFFICIAL’S MECHANICS, HAND SIGNALS, 19a - net fault)

…Indicate the player at fault by number.
No. 0: Use all fingers on the hand on the side at fault to form an open “0.”
Nos. 1-9: Show appropriate fingers using the hand on the side at fault for 1-5. ahhh...what about 6-9?
No. 10: Show closed fist of the hand on the side at fault.
Nos. 11-19: Combine above signals.
Nos. 20 and above: Show first digit with right or both hands, then second digit with left or both hands.

I might be reading it wrong. but I can't see it defining a "base" hand. And the above NCAA instructions contradict each other.

For example:

Nos. 1-9: Show appropriate fingers using the hand on the side at fault for 1-5.
No. 10: Show closed fist of the hand on the side at fault.
Nos. 11-19: Combine above signals.

Say we have to show 12. According to this we'd have to "combine" showing 2 with the hand on the side of the fault with showing a closed fist also(!) with the hand on the side of the fault. Huh? That would be a trick to see...

So are there differences in how numbers are supposed to be shown in NCAA vs NFHS?

[bob jenkins]

I think it's supposed to be the same

[IK13]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I think it's supposed to be the same

That’s what I always assumed, but after looking it up - can’t find a clear answer on the NCAA side.,,