[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by ref2coach

There are other possible reasons. As an example my "other" sport is soccer. We are taught to backpedal except when additional speed is required. Facing the oncoming play allows a "full view" of the contesting players. To work college soccer part of the annual "physical performance" test is a timed 8 part "agility" sequence of which 4 parts are backpedaling. To NOT backpedal is considered "lazy and unprofessional."

My very first basketball training session I was told not to backpedal, I acquiesced, I now run forward with my head turned, with a "crick" in my neck, and relying on "partial" peripheral vision when I know for a fact that I could backpedal and have a better overall view of the play. But "when in Rome".

So Imeadski just "go along to get along". If you want to advance in basketball, this is not a "hill to die on".

There's a lot to that "when in Rome" mentality. But in this case there's more to it than just "going along to get along."

There's a significant difference between a soccer field and a basketball court. A soccer field is much larger, the players more spread, and the chances of running into a wall or other solid obstruction are pretty close to zero.

In basketball you don't need to keep such a close eye on what's going on behind you, you've got a partner -- or two -- to cover that. Yeah, you've still got the sideline, but even if you totally ignored it, you're partner would call it.

Due to the limited size of the basketball court, and the dynamic nature of the game, you never know exactly when "additional speed is required." By the time you "turn and burn" in respose to a faster than anticipated break, you've already lost a step or two and there isn't time/distance enough to make it up.

So welcome to Rome. While you're here, soak up the culture and learn to live like a Roman. And if you do it with an open mind, you might just realize that the idiot Romans who infest the place have learned a thing or two along the way.