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Originally Posted by Paintguru
It's funny, I'm just starting to try and get some 3-person experience and hopefully move up to Varsity at some point (likely in the not-so-near future). I went to work some scrimmage games last Saturday and between trying to keep up with differences between 2 and 3-person PLUS adding the new opposite-table (sometimes but not on every call) rotation in, I looked (and felt) like a complete moron out there. I'm sure the trainer and assignor at that scrimmage were really itching to give me games after that display! 
So I totally get your point about not changing things unless there is a clear reason to do so. |
I attended a pre-season scrimmage before Thanksgiving and chose to do the 3-person mechanics. There were some growing pains for everyone involved with the new opposite-table mechanic, but clinicians were patient and understood it's going to take some getting used to. Also, the 3-person clinicians had an instructional session after the last scrimmage to help show us how the various switches should work in a 3-person crew.
Between that, other announced changes (time out positions), and some apparently-unannounced signal changes in the new MHSAA basketball officials manual (new signals for arm-bar fouls and the end of a period/quarter), it's going to be an interesting season where we see who's paid attention to these changes.
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Originally Posted by crosscountry55
While fascinating, I’d prefer if this notion were supported by empirical evidence.
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In the handful of varsity games I've officiated, I've had extended times as the center opposite where I haven't had a call whereas the lead might make a number of calls and simply switch with the trail each time -- leaving me at the center for extended periods of time barring a bump-and-run or rotation.
The idea of sending the calling official opposite in 3-person crews gives the old center opposite more opportunity to be on the strong side and have a more active role in the game. The fact that it also means less protracted conversations with coaches after calling a foul is a secondary effect.