3-person help

[footlocker]

I'm going to be doing a three-person camp.

(I have been reading some of Juulie's "Piece of Cake" thread and, the discussions of 3-man vs. 2.)

I'll take any suggestions or advise about how to work a 3-person game? Anything a past observer may have remarked to you that was a benefit?

What is the 3-man flex system? Is it different than what I am thinking 3-man is?

Please help. Thanks.

[JRutledge]

I need to ask a question of you.

What level are you planning on preparing for? High School, College Men's and College Women's all has differences in the system.

Finally, what do you think 3 Man is about?

There are many books that explain the system and show many technics. I think it is best to attend a camp where you can learn 3 Man and work it at the same time. There are so many things that apply depending on what you are doing.

Peace

[dhodges007]

What mechanics are you using in your three-person camp? What specifically are you looking for?

[ChuckElias]

Originally posted by footlocker
I'm going to be doing a three-person camp.

Good luck! You'll learn a lot and after a very short time, you'll love it. Have a great time.

I'll take any suggestions or advise about how to work a 3-person game?

There are thousands of specific things to suggest, but the most important one for me was "Don't forget to referee the game!!!!!"

When you first start learning the system, it's easy to get caught up in trying to perfect your position, trying to remember exactly where your area of responsibility is, trying to remember when you're the one who has to switch. Those things will come, but they're all secondary to officiating the game. Don't lose your concentration on the play in front of you b/c you're wondering if you're precisely above the FT line extended as the C.

Anything a past observer may have remarked to you that was a benefit?

1) In transition, everything between the arcs is the Center's responsibility, so don't run away from it.

2) Be much slower to make a call in your partner's area of responsibility.

3) When the ball is right in front of the Lead and the offensive player dribbles or spins away from the Lead official into the lane, any contact on the dribble or the ensuing lay-up is the Center's primary responsibility.

What is the 3-man flex system? Is it different than what I am thinking 3-man is?

You're probably thinking of it correctly. The "flex" just refers to the way the Trail and Center slide to their new positions when the Lead initiates the rotation. The Lead moves to the ball side. When that happens, the old Trail (weak side) slides to the FT line extended and becomes the Center. Finally, the old Center (ball side) slides toward the midcourt line and becomes the new Trail.

Again, good luck and hope you enjoy it.

[Edited by ChuckElias on May 25th, 2004 at 01:13 PM]

[rainmaker]

Originally posted by footlocker
(I have been reading some of Juulie's "Piece of Cake" thread and, the discussions of 3-man vs. 2.)

I'll take any suggestions or advise about how to work a 3-person game? Anything a past observer may have remarked to you that was a benefit?

As a very green beginner in 3-person, I can lend a few reflections. They may not be applicable in your area, though, so it might be good to check them out with someone local (probably not the assignor).

I have found that the amount of input is unbelievably high, and it can be overwhelming. Here's how I handled that.

Top priority, as Chuck said, referee the game. However, the thing you most need to learn, and want to tend to focus on is your floor position, and rotations and switches. The best way to accomplish this, for me, has been to let go of my fear of the double whistle. It's going to be much better to over-call than under-call. Spend your energy absorbing and digesting the advice about court position and rotation. Any advice about "letting that one go" and "don't bail them out" and so forth, nod, say "I see" and then file it away and don't think about it. If your clinician catches you making the same "wrong" call after he just told you not to call that, say, "I see. I was thinking too much about my angle" or, "Right. I really need to work on that." And then go back to whatever you want to get the hang of.

Two other items, 1) remember that two C's is okay, two T's is not, so tend to cheat down. 2) as you head up the court in transition ALWAYS look across court and see if your partner is new lead or if you should be. Missed rotations are the most red-flag item to evaluators. If you always do these two things, you'll be 50% over the hump.

Most of all, don't be discouraged if it feels awkward and frustrating. It's definitely a paradigm-shift and takes a while to get the hang of.

[JRutledge]

Do not BALL WATCH!!!!

I think the #1 problem of an official new to 3 Man is to watch the ball no matter what is happening in your area. In two person we get preoccupied with watching the ball much more. In 3 Person, that is not the case and should not be the case. Do not watch the ball all over the court. Especially when you are the Lead. The Lead position is designed to watch the paint or the post play. The Center position is to catch most off-ball stuff or get a better look at the ball when the other officials are screened off. The Trail usually can watch the ball a little longer on his/her side of the floor, but has to stop when the ball is deep in the Centers position (should be a rotation soon). My main point to make here is, if you are watching the ball, you are missing the very reason 3 Person was created. This takes a few games and some discipline. In my experience, most evaluators are watching for this first. If you get this right, you are a leg up on most people just starting out.

Peace

[tomegun]

What I've been told by numerous evaluators is they hate to here an excuse after advice they give. They have told me this will cause them to stop giving advice. Take that for what it's worth.

Have fun.

[rainmaker]

Originally posted by tomegun
What I've been told by numerous evaluators is they hate to here an excuse after advice they give. They have told me this will cause them to stop giving advice. Take that for what it's worth. Have fun.

I'm not advocating making an excuse. I'm saying let the evaluator know that you're thinking about what you did, and how you can do it differently next time. In other words, that you are learning.

[blindzebra]

Originally posted by tomegun
What I've been told by numerous evaluators is they hate to here an excuse after advice they give. They have told me this will cause them to stop giving advice. Take that for what it's worth.

Have fun.

As lead look for a reason to rotate and when you go across finish the rotation.

As center your first move in transitions is back not up. When the ball changes direction take a step back to the side line before you go up court.

As trail going to new lead, your first three steps should be a sprint.

Also work on having an open body in transition, you feel like an Egyptian artwork, but your feet should be pointed up court and your torso should be facing the center of the court when you are the center and new lead.

Have fun.

[mick]

Originally posted by tomegun
What I've been told by numerous evaluators is they hate to here an excuse after advice they give. They have told me this will cause them to stop giving advice. Take that for what it's worth.

Have fun.

I agree.
A correct response could be:

"Okay"

"Thanks"

"I'll do that."

Do not volunteer reasons, unless you are asked.
You will probably not be asked.

mick

[JRutledge]

Originally posted by rainmaker

I'm not advocating making an excuse. I'm saying let the evaluator know that you're thinking about what you did, and how you can do it differently next time. In other words, that you are learning.

But you do not want to get into a debate with an evaluator. Ask questions, yes. But do not "ya but" them all the time.

In camps they are looking for "why not" to hire you. That is a big "why not." These evaluators talk to each other about who did what, and if you were "ya butting" all day, you will not get hired or recommended for anything.

Peace

[footlocker]

Originally posted by JRutledge
What level are you planning on preparing for?

I am doing HS now and working my way up (I hope). Not much 3-man is used in HS here. I would want to learn this for eventual college work. I was invited to come to an important camp that will mostly be college officials. I have only worked HS (two years) and if I get a personal invite to this camp- then I go. I think most of the work will be college-men.

Originally posted by JRutledge
Finally, what do you think 3 Man is about?

Better court coverage, off ball and on ball. Also a better system for officials to be ahead of the play.

I have worked some 3-person but very minimal. I have done camps and manage just fine to never "ya but" an observer.

I appreciate all the good feedback.

Originally posted by JRutledge
Peace

Thanks.

[mick]

Originally posted by rainmaker
...Two other items, 1) remember that two C's is okay, two T's is not, so tend to cheat down. 2) as you head up the court in transition ALWAYS look across court and see if your partner is new lead or if you should be.

Two C's is okay as long as the other official is Lead, not Trail.

In quick transition, I generally check New Trail, then check across. If you work with Women's officials, you should check more often.

mick

[Mark Dexter]

Originally posted by mick
Two C's is okay as long as the other official is Lead, not Trail.

Very important point by Mick.

I think the biggest thing not yet mentioned is to actually trail the play when you're at new trail coming upcourt. You have a C official to help out with some of the contact, so you don't have to be even with the dribbler and defenders. Something that can help (at least to learn) is to stay on the baseline until the dribbler reaches the FT line extended - this will help you stay back and it keeps you in perfect position for a quick turnover and drive to the basket.

Hanging back also means that the C/L can sort out who's who, and the new T can then (if need be) quietly swing over to the other side of the court, to avoid the "Power I" formation.

In quick transition, I generally check New Trail, then check across. If you work with Women's officials, you should check more often.

Funny, because I know more men than women who are women's officials.

Or were you, perhaps, meaning to refer to female (women) officials?