Your Opinion Sought: "Strong Side"

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Matt S.

Ideally, strong side and ball side are one in the same.

Connecticut is still, for the most part, a two person state. While I’ve observed dozens of three person games, I’ve only worked two actual three person games, attended only one three person workshop, and worked a few three person scrimmages.

Keeping that in mind, here's my two cents.

Until Freddy's recent Forum post, I’ve only heard the term “strong side” as a basketball coach, not as an official. I coached middle school basketball for over twenty-five years and attended many coaching workshops, including those with college coach presenters, and the term “strong side” always meant the side of the court with the ball. The very first time I heard it we were instructed to imagine a string tied to one basket ring and stretched across the length of the court and tied to the other basket ring. If the ball was one side of this string, that was the “strong side”.

As a basketball official (99% two person) I’ve always been taught that the side of the court with the ball was called the “ball side”. The "string" is called the "basket line". In a two person game this was almost always in regard to the lead moving across the lane to help with matchups on the “ball side”.

That’s my Connecticut coaching and officiating (two person) side of story and I’m sticking to it.

I really can't offer anything else of value to Freddy's three person question, other than don't confuse coaching language with officiating language.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

...



I really can't offer anything else of value to Freddy's three person question, other than don't confuse coaching language with officiating language.

The answer for 3 person is pretty straight forward. Not much to add to what's already been answered by myself and a couple of other posters.


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[Freddy]

Thanx to all who offered legitimate responses.

Looks like I'm being won over.

Where oh where did I pick up the concept that Strong Side is the side of the court that, by virtue of the on-ball competitive matchup and player population on Center's side of the floor, prompts Lead to rotate across to put two officials on that side because Center can't officiate all that's there him/herself.

Strong Side = a condition we respond to, rather than a condition we create.

Based on the responses here and elsewhere, it appears I might be wrong.

I just can't track it down where I got that idea from. Any guesses?

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Thanx to all who offered legitimate responses.

Looks like I'm being won over.

Where oh where did I pick up the concept that Strong Side is the side of the court that, by virtue of the on-ball competitive matchup and player population on Center's side of the floor, prompts Lead to rotate across to put two officials on that side because Center can't officiate all that's there him/herself.

Strong Side = a condition we respond to, rather than a condition we create.

Based on the responses here and elsewhere, it appears I might be wrong.

I just can't track it down where I got that idea from. Any guesses?

Actually, I share this opinion.

[Freddy]

Thank you for the responses.

In answer to the question, "When should Lead rotate?", I've been accustomed to say, "When it is apparent that Center's side has become strong side." That, by my previous working definition of strong-side ("The side of the court with the on-ball competitive matchup and player population prompting Lead to rotate") always worked so well. But now, if I change to conform to one of the different definitions mentioned above, how shall I answer that question? What simple and succinct answer would you recommend to the question, "When should Lead rotate?"
(Not a trick question. I'm truly interested in changing...)

[sdoebler]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Thank you for the responses.

In answer to the question, "When should Lead rotate?", I've been accustomed to say, "When it is apparent that Center's side is strong side." That, by my working definition of strong-side ("The side of the court with the on-ball competitive matchup and player population prompting Lead to rotate") always worked so well. But now, if I change to conform to one of the different definitions mentioned above, how shall I answer that question? What simple and succinct answer would you recommend to the question, "When should Lead rotate?"
(Not a trick question. I'm truly interested in changing...)

When the rotation will put the crew in a better position

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Thank you for the responses.

In answer to the question, "When should Lead rotate?", I've been accustomed to say, "When it is apparent that Center's side has become strong side." That, by my previous working definition of strong-side ("The side of the court with the on-ball competitive matchup and player population prompting Lead to rotate") always worked so well. But now, if I change to conform to one of the different definitions mentioned above, how shall I answer that question? What simple and succinct answer would you recommend to the question, "When should Lead rotate?"
(Not a trick question. I'm truly interested in changing...)

I would say that waiting until it was "apparent..." was probably a little late. I like to go when I see that situation developing, not once it has already developed.

As for the question, to expand on sdoebler's reply...

When the rotation will put the crew in a better position...to officiate the play that is developing.

For example, when the ball is out top and the PG is moving left to right and the all-star post that the ball always goes to is also moving left to right in order to get a position on the lower box, I go with the post before the ball settles. You want to be there before the ball gets into that post play. Once the ball gets there and it is apparent, you're too late.

[bucky]

Strong side is ball and L side. Simple.

It doesn't matter if 2-ref or 3-ref. It doesn't matter if 2 bigs are in low post opposite side of the ball. L can still officiate them and, if not due to officiating ball, then C can.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Thank you for the responses.

In answer to the question, "When should Lead rotate?", I've been accustomed to say, "When it is apparent that Center's side has become strong side." That, by my previous working definition of strong-side ("The side of the court with the on-ball competitive matchup and player population prompting Lead to rotate") always worked so well. But now, if I change to conform to one of the different definitions mentioned above, how shall I answer that question? What simple and succinct answer would you recommend to the question, "When should Lead rotate?"
(Not a trick question. I'm truly interested in changing...)

When it is clear to the Lead that the Center will be overloaded.

Officials can generally handle two match-ups, but three is too much. Just like the T doesn’t need help from the C in the backcourt when it is 2 on 2, but does once five players (or it is 3 on 3) are actively participating in the action in the backcourt. This is guideline that I use to tell me when a partner needs coverage help.

So a ball-handler with an on-ball defender would be one match-up (and the primary one), add two opposing players jockeying for position in the high or low post on the C’s side (or running a pick and roll) and that official has the maximum that he can handle. If another player now comes over to screen, set up for a shot, or to receive a pass on the wing, the Lead should be rotating.

I also agree with Camron. Go with the player or competitive match-up that indicates to you that the C’s side is now where the action is. Don’t wait. See that play develop and get into position to officiate it. Don’t leave your C overwhelmed and trying to cover everything going on over there by himself!

[Freddy]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

When it is clear to the Lead that the Center will be overloaded.

Of all the replies thus far, this is the best I've seen.
Open for other perspectives.