T, communication and feelings.

I think I have a good subject for my writing this time.
Basketball season has started and more than ever in Finland people are talking about basketball. That's a good thing, cause more people here will know more about basketball.

The thing what I wanted to write about is "THE new technical foul -rule". People please, it's not a new rule, it's something what we have always have in Official Basketball Rules, check Official Basketball Rules, page 40, chapter 38. You know now something more about basketball and something how I as basketball referee see this game.

Beginning this season (2012-2013) we got to know that Finnish Basketball Federation wants to correct the technical foul-rule. NBA did it two seasons ago, FIBA Europe did it during last season and it's our time now. The thing what is new is that we want everybody to focus on game and leave all extra.


What I think: This new correction gives us, referees, an opportunity to get more involved to a game. We can do something when there is too much talk, too much asking and too much "why why", "oh no, c'moon" e.t.c. Meaning that emotions are not going anywhere. Feelings (good ones and disappointments) are still part of the basketball game. I hope that with this correction basketball will be more and more the game of good attitude.

I as a referee appreciate when there is some good talk during a game and when players, coaches and referees can communicate with each others. Still there has to be some understanding that we can't talk and talk and talk. One fact is sure that when player is playing, coach is coaching and referee is officiating we all can focus on our own areas of responsibility BUT communicating in good way is BIG part of GOOD BASKETBALL GAME.

Good communication is more than talk, it's what we say and how we say it. Sometime communication can only be a look or smile.