NFHS 2017-18 Rules Changes

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by AremRed

I disagree. I don't think the NBA mechanics are something that only their super-highly-trained officials can pull off. The NBA has those really good refs yes, but their system is also superior -- regardless of level of referee.

That is a matter of opinion, but you have a right to hold that opinion. Superior is not the word I would use. Different is a better word based on the way their game is played.

Originally Posted by AremRed

For example the NFHS says for Lead to watch rebounding when the Trail has a 3-point shooter in the corner. The NBA does the opposite, has the Lead official referee the 3-point shooter in the corner and tells Trail to close down and referee post rebounding action. This makes perfect sense for a bunch of reasons: the Lead is closer to the 3-point shooter and the Trail official naturally has a better big-picture possession-consequence view on rebounding action.

Sounds wonderful, but the NBA does not have a 5 second count, which you would have to decide who can or cannot have a count. Right now the Lead has not visible counts in NF mechanics (or NCAA Men's). The Lead in NF is more concerned with post play and post activity, which also takes place differently in the context of the NBA as you cannot as easily have two defenders guard an off ball player as you can in high school. The NBA does not even allow for a zone to take place as it is in the NF or NCAA, hence the 3 second defensive violation rule.

Also it is taught by many for the Lead to take a peak at a 3 point shooter in the corner, but most high school teams are not set up to keep a player in that corner. There are no real "isolation" at that level like the NBA. And that is also a rare situation as well in the game of basketball. Closer does not make you able to get a call correct either. You have to have a Trail that knows when to transition from on the ball to off the ball, which might be a little more complicated for officials we cannot get to stop watching the ball. Officials at the high school level that are not trained well or are not experienced miss off ball stuff all the time, where is harder to get consistency on than anything on ball.

Originally Posted by AremRed

This would not be difficult for your average HS varsity ref to pick up.....it's literally the same responsibility as before, just switching up who does what. Sure there would be an adjustment period but that's not we are talking about. We are talking about which system is better, full stop.

Again, we are not dealing with a system that only the average official is using. Some are newer and yes there are places that do not only use 3 person for varsity. If I had not been in enough camps where officials do not do the stuff already asked of them because they are busy ball watching or not rotating properly, then we want to add more nuance to people who have trouble with other mechanics. I see it too often and when officials get those things right on a very consistent basis, then I might suggest these additions would be better.

Peace