If you guys don't mind, I'd like to add my 1 1/2 cents to this discussion.

First, like to say that 3-person is the wave of the future. If you don't know 3-person mechanics then learn it. Eventually, 2-person will be a thing of the past.

Secondly, ChuckElias is correct. It is okay to have 2 C's. Having 2 T's usually indicates that the old T is ball watching. The T is supposed to rotate to the C position as the L rotates to the strong-side of the court. The C is supposed to "hold" his position and officiate the play until the L is in a position to officiate the play then, the "old" C rotates to the T position.

Finally, there are 2 positions that the L should be aware of: wide-out and close-down. When the L is strong-side then he should be in their wide-out position (half way between the lane line and the 3-pt line). As the ball moves to the center of the free-throw lane the L should move to the close-down position (2-3 ft. from the nearer lane line).
Then if you have to rotate, you have a shorter distance.

I've been working 3-person for at least 6 years and closing down has really helps speed up my rotations.

Leggs45,

I agree with all that except for where you described the position of wide angle. I was taught that wide-angle (what you call wide-out) is one step inside the 3-pt. line, not halfway between the lane line and the 3-pt. line.

Z

I disagree.
 

I am going to have to disagree with you on this one and totally agree with Tony. I have never been advised to run during a rotation. Not only will your partner possible miss your rotation, you should already be in some kind of position that walking will get you where you need to be. In other words, if you have closed down already, getting to the other side takes a much shorter time.

Peace

My point is that you don't want to run back and forth and you don't want to run unless you have to. Running usually means you don't get as good of a look at the play. If you have to run to rotate, I'd rather you stay put and let the center have it. You're going to get there late, be out of position or just plain look bad.


Tony, what's the rationale for this statement? I've always been taught exactly the opposite. We want the C to stay put until the Lead has come all the way to his/her new position and "accepted the play". If the Trail moves to his/her new C spot, that's ok; but we don't want the old Center to abandon whatever action is causing the Lead to rotate. In essence, we're told "it's ok to have two Centers for a few seconds, but you don't ever want two Trails."[/B][/QUOTE]

I don't disagree with you and I've heard and read the same thing. I'm not advocating that the C give up the action he's been officiating. We stress that. I'm also not advocating that he move before the L has completed the transition.

But here, we're really more concerned with transition and the possibility that the C may not realize that the L has rotated. If you have two C's, who going to transition to Lead if there's a quick turnover and fast break. We would rather that the T waits until the C rotates to T. That's the only way he knows that the C realizes that he's the new L if we have to go the other way. We can cover whatever we need to on this in. But transition to the other end and not have a lead is not good.

But saying "you never want two slots," was probably the wrong thing to say.



[Edited by BktBallRef on Oct 17th, 2004 at 11:39 PM]

condracek --

I'm checking in late on this thread, but I want to add a few things that the other folks may not have thought of. First of all, it would be very, very smart to always cover primary and secondary areas in a pre-game. Even for folks who have worked together for years, its' good to go over this kind of thing.

Secondly, because you are female and young, you must learn to stand up to the old farts who want to take your calls away.

You have to learn to do it in a way that's not confrontive or belligerent, but is assertive, confident and firm. "Thanks for taking that call, but I had a great angle, and I need to learn to get those myself." "Hey what did you see on that last block on the 3-point shot? It was in my area, and I thought the guy had lgp." "You know, that charge at the top of the key had been my play all the way across. Isn't that what we talked about in pre-game?"

Some guys just can't take this. You have to figure out who these guys are and black list them with your assignor. I think the best wording is, "Woody can't work with me. He's just got too much macho ego. I need to have partners who are more willing to give me a chance." "I won't work with so-and-so again" comes across too defensive.

Third, find a woman in your area who has some 3-person experience. It may be someone who doesn't do hs anymore. Keep asking around till you find someone who will give you some time and some advice. Ask who will be helpful and who to avoid. If you can find a college person who has some influence with your assignor, that would be good too.

I'm female, but I'm not young (not at all!!), but I have faced the same kinds of problems you're facing. 3-person is tough to learn, and if you're not doing it all the time, switching back and forth is really rugged. And there are a lot of men out there who condescend to someone young and female without really even realizing they are doing it. If you're small, too, or have a sort of young look on your face, it makes it worse. Keep working hard, and accepting your own mistakes. Others will respect your integrity, and learn to accept you as you are.

Lastly, take every opportunity to do 3-person. Keep making mistakes, and keep correcting them. I found it easiest to work on rotations first, and not worry about switches, especially long switches, or no long switches. That really threw me. Find some partners who won't look down and just work on one thing. Then add in something else next time.

I recommend against watching anything on TV that is a different set of mechanics from the one you're using. It's confusing.

Mostly, stick to it. Keep trying. You'll get it eventually, and I guarantee it'll be a lot faster than I did. Not that that's a lot of comfort.

[Edited by rainmaker on Oct 18th, 2004 at 12:17 AM]

Re: I disagree.
 

I agree with Rut and Tony. I've been taught that if you have to run, you are too late to get there in time and you might as well just wait until the next opportunity to go across.

Z

Running to rotate
 

Running across the lane is not the ideal, I agree. It's not what we want to do on every rotation. However, let's remember the whole purpose of 3-whistle mechanics. The whole point is to have two officials officiating the strong side of the court -- especially if the ball is in the post.

If you can get across to your new position before the ball enters the post, then do it. If you have to run, you probably waited too long? So what? So close down sooner next time. But this time, get your butt to where you need to be to officiate the play.

This is being taught at Guthrie's camps this year and my guess is that it will filter into general usage very soon.

Re: Running to rotate
 

Yes, the purpose is to have two officials <b> officiating </b> the strong side. If you are running across, looking at backs, you aren't officiating. You should have been there sooner to get a good angle on the post. At the camp I went to this summer, I was specifically told to stay put rather than run.

Z

Being picky!
 

Contrary to popular belief, the strong side is the side the T and L are on. Ball side is the side the ball is on. :)

I ain't running across the lane. I'll allow the C to officiate the play and I'll help if need be. ;)