Signals (The Language of the Game, One Language a Must) & Signaling Peter Palermino, Bd. 6 Rules Interpreter Thanks to Layne Drexel &Kelly Callahan, Bd.# 11 Delaware

Importance of Signals Enable us to share one language Provide means of communication with partners, players, coaches, table personnel & fans Demonstrate consistency Reflect a desired level of professionalism

What bad signals say about you Indecisive – may not be sure, trying to convince yourself Trying to sell a bad call Trying to take the emphasis off the players Trying to be the show Don’t know the rules or have a lack of understanding Inexperienced official Lazy, weak Careless – in a rush to take your money and go

What good signals say about you Professional Confident Well-trained Experienced (even if you’re not) Decisive Understand the rules of the game Good communicator Leader

What bad signals do to the game Lead to confusion Cause delays in the contest (players/team unsure of what is next) Set a poor tone for the game and set the stage for problems to occur Increase opportunity to have rulings questioned

What good signals do for the game Help create a flow for the game – let players know what is next Set a tone of professionalism and a level of expectation for behavior by the game participants Decrease opportunity to have rulings questioned Raise level of communication

Weaknesses/Areas Needing Improvement A number of areas were identified by IAABO staff throughout the country, including: Lack of signals Improper signals Informal signals Made-up signals Signals that aren’t clear, crisp, sharp, strong and are not at proper angles Let’s look at some specific weaknesses or areas needing improvement, by signal…

Stop Clock/Start Clock Weaknesses/Areas Needing Improvement: Failing to stop the clock at all, on violations or fouls Using the same arm/hand to administer the throw-in count and start the clock

Preliminary at spot of foul Weaknesses/Areas Needing Improvement: Arm up for foul while doing one handed push or block Failing to indicate a preliminary signal at all Preliminary signal does not match signal given in reporting area

Foul Signals Banging fists on hips Weaknesses/Areas Needing Improvement: Banging fists on hips Using hit to the head, trip or other unapproved signals Making up one’s own “hit” signal

Foul Signals/Reporting Weaknesses/Areas Needing Improvement: The dramatic technical foul Failing to give proper player control signal Indicating team control signal incorrectly Reporting well outside of the designated foul reporting area

Indicating Number of Free Throws Properly Weaknesses/Areas Needing Improvement: “Rabbit ears” to indicate bonus Giving informal signal used to communicate with partner(s) as formal signal Failing to indicate number of free throws at all

Successful Goals/No Score Weaknesses/Areas Needing Improvement: Counting goal with a fist looking like team control foul instead Jumping around and whistling as some fancy score-goal signal is given Waving arms up high for no goal Waving one arm with fist up indicating no goal

Counts Weaknesses/Areas Needing Improvement: Failure to show visible count One finger or two finger counts Timing off Location of count signal all over the place

Designated Spot Indication Weaknesses/Areas Needing Improvement: Failure to indicate designated spot at all Pointing to incorrect spot or picking spot most convenient for official rather than proper spot Designating the spot only to the thrower-in

Time-Outs Weaknesses/Areas Needing Improvement: Announcing “full” for 60-second time-out Use of thumbs on shoulders to indicate 30 60-sec time-out signal that looks like double foul Failure to count 10 players at conclusion

3-Point Attempt/Successful Weaknesses/Areas Needing Improvement: Angle of 3-point attempt not proper Successful goal signal given at improper angle Failure to use arm closest to division line to signal attempt Two officials indicating attempt

Beckoning Substitutes Weaknesses/Areas Needing Improvement: More than one official beckoning One finger wave-in signal or no signal at all Repeated “come here” motion Failing to ensure that the number that came on the court equals number that went off the court

How We Can Help Officials Improve Use the mirror Reward and recognize those with great signals. – Practice – practice – practice!

技術的に technically técnicamente technisch технически techniquement فنيا Conclusion When individuals speak different languages, great communication is difficult and one word or pronunciation for something is “technically” impossible. 技術的に technically técnicamente technisch технически techniquement فنيا 技術上 tegnies

Conclusion …but to officials, no matter where we live, speaking the single language of signals, the key to great communication is precision.

Questions?