Quote:
Originally posted by rainmaker
Quote:
Originally posted by tomegun
Dave Libbey once described officiating at two games: on-ball and off-ball. You want to see the consequences of the ball while officiating a play on-ball. While officiating off-ball call contact. Period.
Another official mentioned the term "ref the defense" and said it was wrong. We should ref the matchup. Most of the time you will only have to look at two matchups (4 players) max at the C. Once it is more then that a rotation should occur.
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Please keep in mind that there are quite a few differences between 3-person and 2-person, and between the levels where 2-person is worked, nd the levels where 3-person is worked. In two person, you don't have the luxury of watching only two match-ups, at least not very often. I'd say ref the defense is very good advice at any level that takes 2-person. As players move around the floor, you need to know that the screen was set, or that there was legal guarding position before contact. In order to do that, you need to focus more on the defense. It sounds like the statement that "ref the defense" is wrong came at a 3-person camp, which would probably include a higher level of play, and obviously a different style of reffing.
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I never said it was wrong, I said it can cause an official to lose sight of everything else if taking too literally.
Find the defense or be aware of the defense are better terms, IMO.
Reguardless of level or system the most important factors are:
Positioning and being able to see through the play. The NBA philosophy...but it is the same at all levels...is open vs closed looks. Straightlined and getting in a stack discribe the closed look very well. Two hands up about 6 inches apart make for a great demonstration. Seeing both hands and space between is what you want, seeing the back of one hand is not.
Finding the defense and being aware of the ball and or pivot foot. This is where referee the defense taken literally causes problems. It is very easy to find the defender and lock on.
Focus through the match up on ball. After you find LGP and ball/pivot, position to see through the play and open up your visual field. It is not that hard to referee off ball if there is not great pressure on the ball. This will help with those high post screens behind the ball and the screen to free up the ball.
The same goes for off ball. Position to see as many players with an open look as possible. Be aware of the cutters and the screeners, and find the defenders in their path.
[Edited by blindzebra on Jul 2nd, 2005 at 04:10 PM]