NFHS Foul Signal Changes

[Andy27]

'The committee also approved a change in the way officials signal a foul against a player. After verbally informing the offender, the official shall use fingers on two hands to indicate to the scorer the number of the offender and the number of free throws.

“This change was made to minimize reporting errors that occur between the officials and the scorekeepers,” Wynns said. “Two-handed reporting is easier for the scorekeepers to see and comprehend, and it is less confusing.”'

http://ohsaa.org/news-media/articles...ool-Basketball

Am I the only one that sees this can be more confusing? I can see some refs signaling for example 12 so it's 1 on their left and 2 on their right, which will be the opposite of what the table will see.

Unless we have a lot of softball/baseball umpires doing basketball, this seems like it will lead to more confusion than not.

[DaPope]

Originally Posted by Andy27

'The committee also approved a change in the way officials signal a foul against a player. After verbally informing the offender, the official shall use fingers on two hands to indicate to the scorer the number of the offender and the number of free throws.

“This change was made to minimize reporting errors that occur between the officials and the scorekeepers,” Wynns said. “Two-handed reporting is easier for the scorekeepers to see and comprehend, and it is less confusing.”'

http://ohsaa.org/news-media/articles...ool-Basketball

Am I the only one that sees this can be more confusing? I can see some refs signaling for example 12 so it's 1 on their left and 2 on their right, which will be the opposite of what the table will see.

Unless we have a lot of softball/baseball umpires doing basketball, this seems like it will lead to more confusion than not.

All this is, is a way to get more uniformity in the way that Officials signal fouls. Yet instead of making Officials that also do College, use High School mechanics they are changing High School mechanics to College!

[zebrastripes]

NFHS was the ONLY rules/mechanics set that was still requiring one-hand reporting (NCAA men's got rid of the option to report with one hand last year). Two-hand reporting is the method that the majority of officials prefer to use, despite its previously forbidden nature under NFHS (including Ohio). Once everyone practices showing the correct digits on the correct hand (which is not rocket science), it is a much better way to report. It looks stronger and allows the scorer to read the number in a single hand motion, meaning that there's no chance that the scorer would only catch a portion of the number.

Kudos to the NFHS for making this long overdue change.

[bmss17]

Originally Posted by Andy27

'The committee also approved a change in the way officials signal a foul against a player. After verbally informing the offender, the official shall use fingers on two hands to indicate to the scorer the number of the offender and the number of free throws.

“This change was made to minimize reporting errors that occur between the officials and the scorekeepers,” Wynns said. “Two-handed reporting is easier for the scorekeepers to see and comprehend, and it is less confusing.”'

http://ohsaa.org/news-media/articles...ool-Basketball

Am I the only one that sees this can be more confusing? I can see some refs signaling for example 12 so it's 1 on their left and 2 on their right, which will be the opposite of what the table will see.

Unless we have a lot of softball/baseball umpires doing basketball, this seems like it will lead to more confusion than not.

This will actually be more difficult for baseball/softball folks...baseball and softball, you report it the way you see it (3-2 count has you put out three fingers on your left, two on your right), basketball it's put out there for the scorer to see it (foul on 32 is three fingers on right, two fingers on left). It might be a little confusing at first, but it's the same with any mechanic: the more you practice the stronger you'll be with it. Easiest way is to start by putting your right hand (the tens digit column) up slightly earlier than your left.

Like some of you said, it looks much stronger, always use two handed reporting when officiating AAU and anything else not sanctioned by OHSAA.

[zebrastripes]

Originally Posted by bmss17

This will actually be more difficult for baseball/softball folks...baseball and softball, you report it the way you see it (3-2 count has you put out three fingers on your left, two on your right), basketball it's put out there for the scorer to see it (foul on 32 is three fingers on right, two fingers on left). It might be a little confusing at first, but it's the same with any mechanic: the more you practice the stronger you'll be with it. Easiest way is to start by putting your right hand (the tens digit column) up slightly earlier than your left.

Like some of you said, it looks much stronger, always use two handed reporting when officiating AAU and anything else not sanctioned by OHSAA.

Yep. Everything I officiate other than OHSAA games, I report with two hands, whether required (college) or by option. It's much better. The majority of referees staunchly opposed to two hands are primarily old-timer purists who are only interested in "not being like college officials." Heck, I would've been happy if the NFHS had just made two hands an acceptable option, but it's going to be a requirement and put into Rule 2-9-1, which is even better since everyone will be doing the same thing.