One Is The Loneliest Number That You'll Ever Do ...

[ChuckS]

Great article, Billy. I have had a few situations where I started a game alone, and then my partner shows up, it was very disconcerting. I was so into the "solo mode", that it took awhile to adjust - weird!

I would change only one sentence, to make it cleaner:

Once the decision is made to officiate the game alone, bring both head coaches and the game administrator together, to explain the situation.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

I would change only one sentence, to make it cleaner: Once the decision is made to officiate the game alone, bring both head coaches and the game administrator together, to explain the situation.

Will do. Thanks.

[Kansas Ref]

Mr. Billymac,
Thanks so much for your kind and thoughtful efforts to clarify and instruct us on single-man (person) mechanics. One question I have is: where are you positioned on the FT? and where are you positioned on the sideline throw-in?

@Mr. ChuckS---regarding your experience of starting with one-man and having officiated the game for 2 quarters alone, and gotten used to it, then your partner shows up and it causes you to have to adjust---I guess you'd almost have preferred it to just complete the game alone. But your partner wants to work a game also, so alas.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Kansas Ref

Mr. BillyMac ... One question I have is: where are you positioned on the FT? and where are you positioned on the sideline throw-in?

First of all, my father was Mr. BillyMac, I'm just BillyMac.

Secondly, you asked two questions.

Keep in mind that I've probably worked one-person games (that counted) less than a half-dozen times in forty years, so I'm not what you would call a one-person expert.

I decided to write this article after working a one-person freshman game a few years ago, jotting down some notes when I got home after the game (knowing that it wasn't going to be a very "sexy" article, and not being very passionate about the topic, it took me a long time to finally sit down and write it).

I also didn't have to invent the wheel, I had some groundwork laid down by the Connecticut State Board of Approved Basketball Officials, the Greater Sudbury Board of Basketball Officials, and the Topeka Officials Association.

I would handle all free throws from the trail position (one never wants to get caught on the endline). After putting the ball at the disposal of the free throw shooter, I would back off to my normal trail position. It's probably the best view, noting that it will be difficult to see anything other than the backs and butts of the two lane rebounders closest to the endline on your side (opposite table side).

On all throwins (including sideline throwins), I will try to get close to where I want to be after the throwin (free throw line extended to free throw line extended on the side of the court opposite the table) and then long bounce the ball to the inbounder (even if the ball is inbounded from the endline because one never wants to get caught on the endline).

One big decision that I had to make working these one-person games was regarding general floor coverage, to stay on either the table sideline, or the sideline opposite the table.

Some one-person guidelines suggest the table side because one gets the same view as the coaches, possibly leading to fewer "debates" regarding fouls.

I much prefer the opposite table side. This way I always can observe the table, substitutes, coaches, and bench personnel. Also, I can get help on out of bounds calls (and three point shots) on the table sideline from the table, or from the coaches.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Kansas Ref

Mr. BillyMac ...

Originally Posted by BillyMac

First of all, my father is Mr. BillyMac, I'm just BillyMac.

A few years ago I worked a middle school game with a rookie partner, my partner being the son of a fellow official who lived in my hometown.

My young partner called me Mr. Mac.

I told him that if he ever called me Mr. Mac again that I would smack him in the face.

We've had discussions here on the Forum regarding first names or Mr. last names in dealing with coaches and players, but I'm not allowing my partner to call me Mister.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by ChuckS

I have had a few situations where I started a game alone, and then my partner shows up, it was very disconcerting. I was so into the "solo mode", that it took awhile to adjust - weird!

Originally Posted by Kansas Ref

... experience of starting with one-man and having officiated the game for 2 quarters alone, and gotten used to it, then your partner shows up and it causes you to have to adjust ...

It's physically easy to work from free throw line extended to free throw line extended, and mentally easy to not have to worry about primary coverage areas.

Then all of a sudden one has to run from trail to lead, and lead to trail, and also worry about staying in one's primary (and switching after fouls).

It can be a real jolt to one's system. It takes a few minutes to get used to "normal".

I understand why some associations get a 150% game fee for a one-person game (to discourage athletic directors from requesting only one official for non-varsity games to save money), but while mentally challenging, one-person games can be physically easy, they're definitely not 50% physically harder to officiate.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

... game fee ...

2020-21 game fees have been announced for Connecticut (two-person games):

Varsity Fee: $100.07
Sub Varsity Fee: $64.93 (junior varsity, freshman, middle school)
Scrimmage Fee: $150 (3 officials $50 each, 2 officials $75 each)

Note: By contract, official fees in Connecticut are tied to the average annual increase (or decrease) in state-wide teachers salaries in Connecticut.

Of course that's assuming that there is a 2020-21 basketball season.