2-Person Mechanics Thought Experiment

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by ilyazhito

I never said the above. While 3-person crews, shot clocks, and the restricted area are appropriate for high school (9th grade and above) and higher level games, I never suggested that they are appropriate for the 4th-grade youth game. I would selectively introduce 3-person crews with competitive 7th/8th grade games, and then add on more complications as the level increases (shot clock for high school, restricted area for high school by state adoption (unless NFHS chooses to approve it nationally) and college).

My thoughts about Trail and Center mechanics were to develop a viable system for subvarsity games where 3-person mechanics should be used, based on quality of play and the playing style, but where costs and other considerations prevent a 3-person crew from being employed. This was an attempt to improve the 2-person system for scholastic games where it is used, despite it not being a good solution to the modern game of basketball.

The traditional 2-person system is more than adequate for youth and lower level games, because the teams are not yet good enough to take advantage of the areas where the traditional 2-person system fails (off-ball coverage, transition play, coverage of plays away from the Trail).

The game has not drastically changed that much in the 20 plus years since I started officiating. There was a 3 point line then and there is one now. The most thing that happens is there are more 3 point shots taken by many teams but not all teams. There are not more 3 point shots being made overall. A good day is still to shoot around 35% from that line and that means that over 70% of those shots are missed. That means someone still needs to be on the end line to cover rebounding or other movements to the basket. Nothing has changed that drastically. The game is basically the same with more emphasis on shooting. There is also still post play, but it is more a drive and kick game that still has people going to the post. I see no point in taking an official completely off the end line for what often does not produce much of the contact or plays in our game. You are way over thinking things and if people keep telling you that your ideas are misplaced, at some point you should listen. The game has not changed overnight for the majority of us that would still do 2 person. I still do two person in summer and off-season games and your idea frankly would put us at a disadvantage in those games and I understand 3 person clearly.

Love the enthusiasm but sometimes I believe you are trying to worry about something that is so narrow that it does not apply to most situations. Even if we take on your idea, it applies to a very small percentage of the community or even games.

Peace