[Back In The Saddle]

Dan_ref, your reply sounds to me like exactly what I need. Thank you. May I pose some follow-up questions?

Originally posted by Dan_ref
mmmm....if the ball is at the top of the key then you need to start closing down (stepping to the lane line extended on your side, what some peple call "b" position).

Okay, let's take this slowly, since that is how I think. Picture Pooh bear..."think, think, think"

First of all, I am working 2 whistle, so the assumption is valid.

Second, let me see if I understand the a b cs. If b position is at my lane line extended, and c is the far lane line extended, then where is a position? Is it out near my-side 3 pt. line extended?

Assuming the above about a position, when the ball swings wide, I should be moving out to a? As the ball moves toward the top of the key, I should begin closing down to b? I should be moving back and forth as the ball moves? Where should I be when the ball is on the far side of the lane?

If I am at b position, should I still let my partner have the first call on any drives from his side? How about c position?

This tells your partner at T (assume 2 man) that you have the lane and he should go wide to cover your side better, it gets you a better look

So the trail's primary then becomes everything except the lane? Or at least he extends his area to include my non-lane primary?

What do you mean by the T going wide? Since we are "boxing in," do you mean back further toward backcourt to get a wider view? More over toward the middle? Surely not further away from my side?

and it prepares you to step across the lane (position "c") to the opposite side lane line if the ball is kicked or dribbled there & settles.

Under what circumstances would I want to go to c position? I have heard discussion about coming to c position (and further) to get a look at the post play when the ball is coming from that side. It sounds like you're describing a situation when the ball goes there. Do I only want to go to c if the ball is right there?

If I go to c position, how should T respond? Have I initiated a kind of switch? Or are we simply both working strong side?

If it's not a switch, then I would guess that I'm headed back to b or a as soon as the situation that brought me to c position is "resolved?"

Also, don't be afraid to take a step into the paint area to get a *great* look when the ball and 5 bodies are under the basket.

Warning: Ignorance and fear at work. My fear here is that I'd potentially get myself trapped in the middle of a play. Or worse, become somebody's screen. So I would want to limit this to only those plays coming straight at the basket, perhaps?

This all sounds a little like taking-it-to-the-next-level mechanics to me. Should I be overly concerned if my partner isn't paying attention to my position and adjusting?

Where can I go to read up on all of this? I don't recall the NFHS mechanics book covering this kind of movement with the ball. Perhaps it's there and I just missed it? Wouldn't be the first time. Won't be the last. Feel free to give me the old RTFM, if I deserve it!