Running Backwards

[BillyMac]

.... In My Pink Cadillac (Aretha Franklin, 1985).

Originally Posted by Kansas Ref

What is meant by the 'Cadillac' position? Evidently, I'm late to the party, no one I ref with ever uses this terminology.

Most that used that terminology are now dead.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away NFHS two person mechanics always had the lead on the right side of the court, and always had the trail on the left side of the court (as the ball was advancing into the frontcourt). Even during free throws, the lead was always on the right side of the free throw shooter, and the trail was always on the left side of the free throw shooter (and trail administered first free throw). That was called the Cadillac position. Tableside and not-tableside didn't really apply to normal up and down the court mechanics (at one time we even could put the ball in play on either side of the division line after a technical foul).

Occasionally, due to an odd throwin situation, in order to get good coverage the officials had to work "opposite", with the lead on the left side of the court, and the trail on the right side of the court (as the ball was advancing into the frontcourt).

As the ball crossed the division line, or as soon as possible, the two officials would scurry back to "normal", i.e. the Cadillac position, usually controlled, or forced, by the position, or movement, of the trail.