Rotation

[Stat-Man]

Originally Posted by Paintguru

It's funny, I'm just starting to try and get some 3-person experience and hopefully move up to Varsity at some point (likely in the not-so-near future). I went to work some scrimmage games last Saturday and between trying to keep up with differences between 2 and 3-person PLUS adding the new opposite-table (sometimes but not on every call) rotation in, I looked (and felt) like a complete moron out there. I'm sure the trainer and assignor at that scrimmage were really itching to give me games after that display!

So I totally get your point about not changing things unless there is a clear reason to do so.

I attended a pre-season scrimmage before Thanksgiving and chose to do the 3-person mechanics. There were some growing pains for everyone involved with the new opposite-table mechanic, but clinicians were patient and understood it's going to take some getting used to. Also, the 3-person clinicians had an instructional session after the last scrimmage to help show us how the various switches should work in a 3-person crew.

Between that, other announced changes (time out positions), and some apparently-unannounced signal changes in the new MHSAA basketball officials manual (new signals for arm-bar fouls and the end of a period/quarter), it's going to be an interesting season where we see who's paid attention to these changes.

Originally Posted by crosscountry55

While fascinating, I’d prefer if this notion were supported by empirical evidence.

In the handful of varsity games I've officiated, I've had extended times as the center opposite where I haven't had a call whereas the lead might make a number of calls and simply switch with the trail each time -- leaving me at the center for extended periods of time barring a bump-and-run or rotation.

The idea of sending the calling official opposite in 3-person crews gives the old center opposite more opportunity to be on the strong side and have a more active role in the game. The fact that it also means less protracted conversations with coaches after calling a foul is a secondary effect.