STATISTICIANS
MANLY WARRINGAH BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
STATISTICS
The scoretable officials keep track of two main statistics are the score and fouls. However, there are many other aspects of the game that can be recorded, and which add great interest an excitement for the fans and also for the players. These additional statistics also help coaches to review the performance of their teams.
STATISTICS COORDINATOR: The Statistics Coordinator is responsible for the establishment, staffing and maintenance of a statistics bench for a particular game, season or tournament and is accountable to the game authority (League, Association, Tournament Director). The Statistics Coordinator must: Negotiate with the authorities to ensure the statistics bench is suitably equipped and functional. Ensure the personnel on a statistics bench are provided with the necessary equipment, including computer hardware and software if appropriate. Take responsibility for the distribution of the reports to the clients i.e. any or all of the following: the participating team’s coaching staff, the media, the tournament director and anyone authorised to receive a copy of the statistics. Respond to queries regarding the statistics, from any of these clients.
HEAD STATISTICIAN: The responsibility for the management of a statistics bench during a game falls squarely on the Head Statistician. The allocation of personnel to the bench may not be the role of the Head Statistician. However, the Head Statistician assumes full responsibility once the statistics bench is “operational”, at least 60 minutes prior to the start of a game, until the statistical reports have been distributed after the game and the bench has been cleared. The Head Statistician for a particular game is accountable to the Statistics Coordinator and the game authority (League, Association, Tournament Director) for that game. The Head Statistician must: Liaise with the Statistics Coordinator to ensure the statistics bench is suitably equipped and functional. Maintain the code of conduct on the statistics bench. Deal with all queries, regarding the statistics, from the scoretable and referees, during and immediately after the game. Oversee the preparation and collation of the statistical reports immediately after the game. Respond to queries about the statistics from any clients immediately after the game until the bench has been cleared. On any international game and at elite level of competition including the NBL and WNBL, the Head Statistician would be the caller on the bench.
CALLER: The caller interprets all statistics in a game and calls them to the recorder(s). The caller should be suitably qualified and experienced. The caller must: Call the statistics for both teams. Understand and know all definitions of the statistical categories. Understand the official’s signals. Check with the scoretable chairperson on any doubtful situations, particularly when there is confusion as to which player scored a basket. Write down, in shorthand, the statistics during a hectic passage of play and then call them back to the recorder(s) when possible. Assist in checking that each player’s half- and full-time points and personal fouls and the team’s score agree with the official scoresheet and summary sheet if used.
RECORDER/INPUTTER /COMPUTER OPERATOR: The recorders must: Record all statistics for the game Understand the definitions of all statistical categories so the caller & recorder can work as a team. – So the Recorder can anticipate what they will be recording, – To ease the pressure during a hectic passage of play, – To prompt the caller if something is missed, remembering that the Callers decision is final. Understand the referee’s signals.
These are only broad guidelines to give statisticians an idea of what is expected of them if they intend to become accredited level 1 or 2 statisticians. The Australian Basketball Statistics Committee has devised level 1 and 2 training courses that have been endorsed by Basketball Australia. Contact your State Statistics Co-ordinator for further information on these courses.
A level 1 statistician must be able to:
- Understand basketball rules and statistical definitions,
- Understand the sequencing of statistical events,
- A basic understanding of the calling protocol,
- Use the computer and the current software program Read and understand a FIBA score sheet
A level 2 statistician must have held level 1 accreditation and be able to:
- Liaise with the Statistics Coordinator and game authority on any matters relating to the statistics bench.
- Prepare and set up the statistics bench and/or computer hardware and software,
- Consistently and accurately apply the philosophy of the statistical definitions,
- Accurately call, using the correct calling protocol.
- Manage a statistics bench and maintain the code of conduct,
- Effectively communicate with personnel on the scoretable and statistics bench and with clients,
- Reconcile boxscore with official score sheets,
- Prepare and distribute reports to clients.
- Email reports and game files to league
For further information please contact Kirsten De Forest on 02 9913 3622 (ext 3) or kirsten.deforest@manlybasketball.com.au