NFHS Officials Manual 308. Pg. 48

Lead official handles throw-ins only on the end line.

3-Whistle
I have noticed a few officials administering a sideline throw-in, free throw line extended...down to the endline, from the Lead position. (The L bounces the ball to the player from the endline)

Anyone else use this mechanic?

We've used it DEEP in the corner only. Having the trail come all the way down to so this really puts the crew in a strange position, I think.

That said, there are two officials on that side of the court, so why would the L take something just under the FTE?

--Rich

Are you sure you weren't watching a women's college game? That's the mechanic they use. It's also possible that the crew you saw were also women's college officials and decided to use the mechanics they were familiar with for a high school game.

JCurrie, I think he was just quoting the Officials' manual.

No Rookiedude, I don't use it. That's why they allow us to bounce the ball to the player now. I give the player a stop sign, telling him not to move. Then I back out and bounce the ball. The L should be focusing on the lane, not counting and chopping the clock.

Yeah, that's how I like to do it also Tony.
I guess I was just trying to figure out where this mechanic came from. Maybe it is a women's college mechanic...come to think of it a partner of mine use to do women's college and he is one of the guys I saw using it.

Thanks.