[proref27]

Originally posted by ChuckElias

It makes a whole lot of sense if you're reporting to young, inexperienced adolescents who might not even be paying enough attention to know which official blew the whistle. The point of going to a "reporting box" is visibility to the table personnel. That's not as big a problem in the NBA b/c you have very professional table personnel. But at the HS and lower NCAA levels, it's better to go to the reporting area and be sure that the table knows who the foul is on. JMO (and I've used both sets of mechanics).

Well, they don't require you to go to the reporting box in the NCAA like they do HS. In NCAA you just have to clear the players. I can be just as clear to the table from either 28ft mark. I've used both sets of mechanics as well.

Because the foul is not "smacking upside the head". The foul is "illegal use of hands". Simple as that. And since you're tableside after reporting the foul, if the coach says "Where did he get him?", you can tell him. Not a big deal.

Or I could just say "#25 hit on the head" while demonstrating, and then there will be no reason for the coach to ask. Seems more efficient to me.

You make it sound like HS and NCAA officials are told to stay in one spot and officate from there (which used to be the NBA philosophy in the '70s, I'm pretty sure). NCAA and HS officials also move to get the best angle on plays. There are a still a lot of guys and gals who get stuck on the sideline while in the C position. But I think that is changing.

--Like anything else, it is changing slowly. It all trickles down from the top.

Never? I was at Ronnie Nunn's Orlando camp last summer and I don't remember that being taught.

--Didn't think he had been able to do his Nunn better camps for a couple of years now since he was the Supervisor. Also things have changed even more from just a couple of years ago. A week in an class taught by the NBA including a couple by Ronnie, was pretty clear...keep your body at an angle.

This is a great philosophy that Ronnie introduced. I don't think it means never be square to the sideline, but as the play moves to the basket, instead of simply sliding down the sideline, take a step onto the court and get a "Trail's look" at the play. I will agree that this should be adopted in HS and NCAA more than it is now.

--This is most certainly not "only on plays that move to the basket." Anytime the ball settles or pauses the slot is supposed to get topside, which often leads to him becoming the new Trail when the Lead rotates. Another instance is when you have high post play opposite lane line, and to help on both strong/weakside rebounding. There are still instances when you can drop down to referee action areas off ball, but when the ball comes over you shoulden't be low unless it's a quick shot or pass.

NCAA and HS try to do this as well. But most NCAA instructors don't like the ping-pong-ball effect of the Lead moving across the lane every time the ball swings.

-- And a lot more are just lazy and leave the slot with way to much to referee. Far too many...especially high school to not rotate fast enough. I see it so many times the ball in the opposite corner and the lead not even thinking "pinching the paint" much less rotating.

Something that you don't talk about is floor coverages, which I personally feel are better in the NCAA men's system. I don't like having to officiate all the way to the sideline while in the Lead position. Additionally, in NBA coverage, if the ball is in the post on the Lead's side and is passed out to the corner, the Lead shifts his/her view from the post to the corner while the Trail shifts his/her view from the corner to the post, which is right in front of the Lead.

NBA/women's NCAA coverage is easier, and I work men's ball. It is much easier for the Lead to see plays in the corner outside the 3pt line than the Trail. As the Lead your only having to pick up say an extra 2-3 ft below the bottom tip of circle (NBA) or FT line ext (Women's). In Men's and HS the trail has to see an extra 15 ft. Again, those plays in the deep corner are real tough for a Trail. I think it just makes more sense to have official closest to the play and with a better look referee the play, but that's just me I guess.

So we have two officials shifting their coverage when in NCAA, nobody has to shift. The Lead simply stays with the post activity (waiting for another entry pass), while the Trail (who already had responsibility outside the arc) picks up on-ball coverage. This makes a ton of sense to me.

I know NBA refs and NCAA women refs swear by their coverage scheme, but I don't like it. Again, JMO.