Lead heading up court- your style?

[akmay20]

What are your all's opinions on backpedaling? My step-father has always strongly advised me not to backpedal on the court because "that one time you're gonna bust your ass out there."

I know for this specific scenario, it's not an option, but for those times when the ball is sideline and you're ahead of the developing play, I find backpedaling gives me a square view of the action. I am still pretty agile with decent footwork thanks to great DB coaches, so I am comfortable doing it. I know with time/age, I'll stray away from it.

Does anyone else out there open up on the court, at certain times, to get a better angle?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by akmay20

What are your all's opinions on backpedaling?

I'm all for it.

No, sorry, I'm not.

[LRZ]

There is a story going around here recently about a ref who fell while backpedaling and lost consciousness momentarily.

I might backpedal the last 5 or so feet if there is a play right in my lap that I need to square up to, for example marking a 3 point shooter in the corner during transition.

[RefRich]

Originally Posted by akmay20

What are your all's opinions on backpedaling? My step-father has always strongly advised me not to backpedal on the court because "that one time you're gonna bust your ass out there."

I know for this specific scenario, it's not an option, but for those times when the ball is sideline and you're ahead of the developing play, I find backpedaling gives me a square view of the action. I am still pretty agile with decent footwork thanks to great DB coaches, so I am comfortable doing it. I know with time/age, I'll stray away from it.

Does anyone else out there open up on the court, at certain times, to get a better angle?

The last time I back pedaled was when I was in high school and was reffing elementary league on a Saturday morning. My sweatpants, the old flared ones, got caught under my shoe and I went over pretty hard.

If you can't see where you're going, you never know what may be behind you.

[LRZ]

I try to avoid backpedaling. However, my peripheral vision has narrowed with age, making it harder to run sideways and still see the fast break action clearly.

[BillyMac]

(Two person game) I backpedal when I walk, like when, as the new lead, I hold back to help with the press, but then turn and jog (age, and orthopedic problems) to the endline, looking sideways as the ball moves into the frontcourt. At my advancing age, I'm looking more and more for good angles, whereas many years go I would just sprint ahead of most of the players. For some reason, it's easier looking over my left shoulder than it is looking over my right shoulder. Go figure?

[#olderthanilook]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

(Two person game) I backpedal when I walk, like when, as the new lead, I hold back to help with the press, but then turn and jog (age, and orthopedic problems) to the endline, looking sideways as the ball moves into the frontcourt. At my advancing age, I'm looking more and more for good angles, whereas many years go I would just sprint ahead of most of the players. For some reason, it's easier looking over my left shoulder than it is looking over my right shoulder. Go figure?

This, sans the orthopedic issues.

Same.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

... turn and jog (age, and orthopedic problems) to the endline ... I'm looking more and more for good angles, whereas many years go I would just sprint ahead of most of the players.

Bone spur, and osteoarthritis in right ankle. Femur-patella pain syndrome in left knee.

They shoot horses, don't they?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by akmay20

What are your all's opinions on backpedaling? My step-father has always strongly advised me not to backpedal on the court because "that one time you're gonna bust your ass out there."

I know for this specific scenario, it's not an option, but for those times when the ball is sideline and you're ahead of the developing play, I find backpedaling gives me a square view of the action. I am still pretty agile with decent footwork thanks to great DB coaches, so I am comfortable doing it. I know with time/age, I'll stray away from it.

I know individuals that got hurt rather badly because they feel and broke wrists or hit their head where they had serious injuries. Never backpedal. Take a step or two back is not the same as backpedaling either.

Peace

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by akmay20

What are your all's opinions on backpedaling? My step-father has always strongly advised me not to backpedal on the court because "that one time you're gonna bust your ass out there."

I know for this specific scenario, it's not an option, but for those times when the ball is sideline and you're ahead of the developing play, I find backpedaling gives me a square view of the action. I am still pretty agile with decent footwork thanks to great DB coaches, so I am comfortable doing it. I know with time/age, I'll stray away from it.

Does anyone else out there open up on the court, at certain times, to get a better angle?

Backpedaling looks absolutely horrible. What purpose does backpeddling serve? When you're back peddling you're moving away from what you're looking at. And when you're back peddling you're not looking at your primary, you're looking back at the ball. Backpedaling is a ball watcher's technique.

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[akmay20]

Originally Posted by Raymond

Backpedaling looks absolutely horrible. What purpose does backpeddling serve? When you're back peddling you're moving away from what you're looking at. And when you're back peddling you're not looking at your primary, you're looking back at the ball. Backpedaling is a ball watcher's technique.

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I guess this is an absolute in a few minds, which I find ridiculous. Maybe for the "veterans" that I've seen 100 lbs overweight wearing their belts, it looks horrible. What I think looks horrible is the 70 year old geriatrics working high intensity Varsity games and they can't run half the length of the floor twice without being gassed, but hey they don't backpedal!

So what do you do, as the new lead, when you have a fast break with the ball handler out in front dribbling up the sideline? From there, the rest of the players in the game are chasing/following and are effectively straight-lining the trail in this situation. Looking over your shoulder blocks some of your view. Squaring up a little bit gives you full vision of the ball handlers position, sideline to nearest defender, which provides the best possible angle until partner can recover their field of view.

Those lines they have on the court usually are good indicators of your position on the floor.
Better watch out for pot holes though...

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by akmay20

I guess this is an absolute in a few minds, which I find ridiculous. Maybe for the "veterans" that I've seen 100 lbs overweight wearing their belts, it looks horrible. What I think looks horrible is the 70 year old geriatrics working high intensity Varsity games and they can't run half the length of the floor twice without being gassed, but hey they don't backpedal!

So what do you do, as the new lead, when you have a fast break with the ball handler out in front dribbling up the sideline? From there, the rest of the players in the game are chasing/following and are effectively straight-lining the trail in this situation. Looking over your shoulder blocks some of your view. Squaring up a little bit gives you full vision of the ball handlers position, sideline to nearest defender, which provides the best possible angle until partner can recover their field of view.

Those lines they have on the court usually are good indicators of your position on the floor.
Better watch out for pot holes though...

Either get to the end line and ref the play, or square up to the sideline and ref the play while adjusting your position to see what you need to see. Backpedaling does not improve your vision on any play and eliminates the ability to position adjust to see in between defender and ball handler.

If the Trail is being straight-lined (which means they are not moving and/or hustling to get a better position), then stay and ref the play until they can get to where they need to be. Then bust your ass down the rest of the court to get where you are supposed to be.

And unless you are Frankenstein or wearing shoulder pads, how are your shoulders obstructing your view?

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by akmay20

I guess this is an absolute in a few minds, which I find ridiculous. Maybe for the "veterans" that I've seen 100 lbs overweight wearing their belts, it looks horrible. What I think looks horrible is the 70 year old geriatrics working high intensity Varsity games and they can't run half the length of the floor twice without being gassed, but hey they don't backpedal!

I watch a ton of basketball. I watch it on TV, I watch in a gym. I watch it on video. I never see an experienced official at any level back peddle to get into position. It is even rare to see a lower level official do this. The last time I saw an official do this, he was not very athletic anyway and he was not getting into position better by backpedaling in the first place. Just like you do not see officials wear white shoes when they referee. Kind of stands out when you do.

Originally Posted by akmay20

So what do you do, as the new lead, when you have a fast break with the ball handler out in front dribbling up the sideline? From there, the rest of the players in the game are chasing/following and are effectively straight-lining the trail in this situation. Looking over your shoulder blocks some of your view. Squaring up a little bit gives you full vision of the ball handlers position, sideline to nearest defender, which provides the best possible angle until partner can recover their field of view.

Simple, you turn and run like an athlete would and look over your shoulder. Kind of how most athletes do. Even as a football official that backpedals, there is a point you turn and run full speed. You only backpedal as a back judge or deep wing for a moment, but at some point, you have to turn your hips and run. You are running a lot faster in most cases on a football field than you are on a basketball court. You might only have to run hard for 50 or so feet anyway (even in 2 person). Also, you are running near or on the sideline. What view is blocked? You are not running up the middle of the court for God's sake.

Originally Posted by akmay20

I Those lines they have on the court usually are good indicators of your position on the floor.
Better watch out for pot holes though...

But you have to watch out for players that could be behind you. A coach that might be just slightly out of the box. A cheerleader that is not exactly in the right position. A person on the first row that had their feet on the actual court. A lot of things that can happen when running and you have no balance to catch yourself if you trip.

Peace

[SC Official]

Originally Posted by akmay20

I guess this is an absolute in a few minds, which I find ridiculous. Maybe for the "veterans" that I've seen 100 lbs overweight wearing their belts, it looks horrible. What I think looks horrible is the 70 year old geriatrics working high intensity Varsity games and they can't run half the length of the floor twice without being gassed, but hey they don't backpedal!

So what do you do, as the new lead, when you have a fast break with the ball handler out in front dribbling up the sideline? From there, the rest of the players in the game are chasing/following and are effectively straight-lining the trail in this situation. Looking over your shoulder blocks some of your view. Squaring up a little bit gives you full vision of the ball handlers position, sideline to nearest defender, which provides the best possible angle until partner can recover their field of view.

Those lines they have on the court usually are good indicators of your position on the floor.
Better watch out for pot holes though...

Go to any camp (high school, college, etc.) and backpedal and report back to us what your clinician says.