I started working a 3-whistle league this year as well. Even though I had learned it at camps, it still took some time to get settled in and feel comfortable. Here's what I would worry about if I were to start over again:
- Call the game. It's still basketball, you're still a referee, making the calls is still job 1.
- If at any point during a live ball you're uncertain about what you're supposed to be doing, the answer is always "refereeing."
- Keep an eye on the lead, he's the key to your rotation.
- You can worry about dead ball stuff (i.e., switching) during the dead ball.
- Be aggressive. It's a lot easier to be aggressive and then learn to "leave that one alone" than it is to be timid and learn to "step up and get that one."
- As the L, look for reasons to rotate. Again, it's better to be agressive and learn when not to rotate than to be timid and realize you should have rotated.
- Communicate with your partners. It's much better to shout "Hey, John! You're lead now" when you've got T and C on the same side than it is to wait for John to realize on his own.
- Watch your area.
- Call only your lines.
Once I'd gotten comfortable with these, then I'd work on:
- As T becoming the new L, worry about getting to the baseline to receive the play. Let the T and C worry about refereeing the transition.
- Learn to love the C. It's the best position out there. You have the best look at most stuff happening in the paint. This is the look that makes 3-whistle so much better.
- As the C, a foul against the shooter when he's rolling to the basket away from the L in the post is all yours, baby. Go get it!
- Don't rotate as L until all three of you are in frontcourt.
- As T or C, on a shot from your area, you need to watch the shooter all the way back to the floor. Your partner will get the GT/BI stuff.
- As C when the play goes the other way, freeze a moment to see if the T needs you to stay and help.
That was the stuff I needed to learn this season. Ask me next year and I'll have a different list
