[Goose]

Having done more one man games than I care to admit, I can tell you that along with these suggestions, develop a system and try to stick with it. Main thing is, you will miss some calls so resign yourself to that, and don't try to cover every single spot on the floor. It's just not possible. If a team bangs the ball inside repeatedly, then you might have to adjust your positioning just as you would if you have two teams throwing up a bunch of 3's, which IMO is the best thing you could want in a one man game, apart from two teams playing zone and throwing 3's. That is the best possible situation for a one man crew IMO.

As was previously stated, some work table side and some do not.

If you want another opinion, I prefer opposite side for the following reasons.

1. It gets you away from the coaches and their constant chatter about missed fouls etc. At least if you are opposite side, in order to throw a T on a coach, he will have to broadcast it across the court and in turn let the whole gym know his feelings. The further away I can be from the coach, the better I am IMO. Hey, I'm busy enough, so why do I need any more worries listening to coaches bend my ear.

2. Secondly, and probably more important is I like being opposite because I can then keep the entire table in view. Subs are easier to let in, and if there is a problem with the timer or scorer, I have them in full view 95 percent of the time. I'm not a big fan of working with your back to the table. Bad things seem to happen behind my back!!

As was stated earlier, I tend to work FT line to FT line with a few exceptions. If the ball is kicked out on the baseline and you are staying at that basket, put the ball in play from the baseline and gradually work your way out to FT line extended. In this way, with the ball being put in play under the hoop, you will be able to catch any quick foul near the basket as most teams try and run plays to get an easy basket under the hoop.

On foul shots if shooting 2, I like to administer from the baseline, then on the 2nd shot, or on any shot where the clock will start on a miss, administer directly to the shooter and back out to foul line extended. This was the old mechanic, and I find it works well on these shots because it puts you into a good position to reverse direction if there is a long rebound by the defense or a quick outlet that causes a break in the opposite direction. Not to mention that again, you will be facing the table and can catch any activity other there.

Lastly, although I don't really like working by myself, I have found that some of what I believe are my better jobs have come from working by myself. I have found that my concentration level is enhanced to a greater degree when working by myself. There's something about being by yourself on a deserted island and you are fighting for survival. There is no one to lean on in this situation, so you are an island unto yourself.

good luck...keep your eyes open and ears shut, except to hear the horn of course!

goose