[JeffTheRef]

You're instinct is correct. You sure don't want to get caught in the middle of the floor, and there is no reason to.

What matters is where the ball is and where it's going to be. Ah yes, you can, and must, predict the future. Just as surely as you must ref the defense to have any idea of what happened, you should read the street, anticipate whether or not the ball will swing. You should know there's going to be a skip pass before the offense does.

If you come across, it should be because you need to to see the play. And because you feel you can still handle the weak side. If there is only an offense/defense pair on the strong (ball) side, hey, you better stay with the 8 sources of mayhem on your side.

In general, I would recommend that, as the lead, you stay out wide - about to the point of the 3-point line, and close in as necessary.