[mick]

Originally posted by ChuckElias

I like mick's emphasis on the C position. When I work 3-man, it's always emphasized that the C must be involved. The C can't just sit back and let the "ball side" officials handle everything. If the C is not involved, you might as well work a 2-man game.

I also agree wholeheartedly with TH when he says that you must know your primary and stay in it, unless somebody gets killed and both your partners miss it. Trusting your partners is stressed more than in 2-man. If I had to guess (and I'm obviously just guessing), I would say that calling in your primary is the major focus of an evaluation for a guy who's new at 3-man.

Now, here's just a question, b/c I don't work 3-man at all in my high school games. Does Fed say that the C should move to the T position as soon as the L starts his rotation? I ask b/c the NBA mechanic is for the C (or Slot, in the NBA lingo) official to hold his position until the L has come completely across the lane and "accepted" the play. This means that you have two C officials for 2 or 3 seconds until the L has settled into his position. But it keeps the "old C" from moving away from a play that he is officiating. What's the proper Fed mechanic for rotating from C to T?

Chuck

Chuck,
I know of no specific reference.
Yes, there are certain times when something intense is happening on the floor in the Center's area when the Lead comes across. I agree that we don't want to bail out on a play just because we have help from a partner that probably didn't see the entire action initially. We allow the action to play out, and then assume a position closer to the division line.
But, it's a fact that while the Lead is on your side and you are now at "Shallow Trail", that is when that quick turnover happens and you realize that you are the new lead ... and your are late! Get on that horse!
mick