[zebraman]

Went to a camp in Eastern Washington over the weekend. Clinicians were D-1 refs and a couple FIBA studs from Canada who have officiated in the Olympics. The info taught was a combination of their experience plus information from out of the Washington Officials Association office (it's a certified camp). Some of this info is just review, but might be helpful to some.

In the past, the center official was taught to take a step up or down (optional) to get an angle on a drive to the hoop. Now they want one step up and one step in (on to the floor). Too many officials are getting straight-lined by stepping down. Stepping up and down helps you see that gap between the offensive player and the defender.

For the last couple of years, the lead official was told to back out to wide-angle on a drive from the C. Now they want the lead to "pinch the paint" (a new term to me) which means to take a couple steps backwards (more depth, like we used to do in two person) to help if the C can't get in position to see the entire play.

When transitioning to lead, they now want the lead official to do directly to close-down (they used to tell us to go to wide-angle first). They want the lead busting their butt to get to the close-down spot by the time the ball crosses halfcourt.

The trail is now working onto the floor more instead of hugging the sideline so much. Much more reffing "inside out" from the trail. Too many trails were getting straight-lined by staying along the sideline when the ball matchup was close to the sideline.

Ref the game that's in the gym you are in THAT NIGHT. A good block followed by significant contact is a foul at the high school level. It may not be a foul at the college level depending on which assignor you work for.

Once a player "gathers the ball," they have begun their shooting motion. Too many officials are not awarding free throws when they should.

A 3-person crew should never have to go to the AP arrow on an out-of-bounds situation. If an official needs and his first partner doesn't know who hit it, the second official darn well better have a direction.

8 games in 2 1/2 days. I'm not moving very fast this morning.

Z