Mechanics - One Man

[PAT THE REF]

Hey Everyone,

Im currently enrolled in a Varsity Official training program through the CEJBO - Central East Jersey Basketball Org.

I was told by a last year cadet that the course went over mechanics of a one man game... I.e. positions, what to look for etc...

Can anyone give me help on how I should run a one-man game.

I have been officiating for a rec league in town where there is usually only one ref. But for the past 3 years I found myself running baseline to baseline sometimes... (i know, i know - - wrong) So any tips could help...

Thanks
Pat

[Texref]

I have seen and done this a couple of different ways. I like what the Jr NBA has to say. This comes from http://www.nba.com/jrnba/officials/o...section13.html if you want to read the whole thing. They basically say:

The best position is to work from one free-throw line extended to the other free-throw line extended, across the floor from the scorer's table.

Do not get caught on the endline

Get the players to help you on out-of-bounds calls.

Don't guess. Admit you can't see everything.

Click the link or cut and paste. Very good ideas.

[PAT THE REF]

Thanks

[Junker]

I've never had to do an entire game myself, but I would say work the C as in 3 man. The most important mechanic would be to find out why in the hedoublehockeysticks you're working alone.

[SamIAm]

FT line to FT line, if you can, crossover (that lets you see the same right or left side at both ends). For OOB plays, give the in-bounder the ball but stipulate play begins on your whistle.

1 man is almost impossible in a competitive league. Use T often and be ready to suspend the game (which essentially ends the game).

I quit men's league except as a rare favor.

[rainmaker]

Put yourself where you can get the best angle on the low post. Sometimes, especially if you're working with older more skilled players, you'll end up on the endline a lot.

Otherwise, I prefer to be in from the sideline and above where the fte would cross the 3-point line. If the players are staying pretty spread out over the floor you can be further out, but generally, right in the thick of things is a better angle, I find. With little kids, it's a pretty cadillac position. With older players, about JV and up, you have to dance back and forth to the sideline and then in again. Or down to the endline and then back up. Work your little heiney off (or big heiney, as the case may be), and you'll be rewarded.

[Lotto]

Call all the players together and let 'em know that you're going to miss some stuff because you're working alone. Ask them to be understanding and honest about OOB calls that you can't see. Tell 'em that anything you miss and they don't agree on will go to AP.

[FrankHtown]

I generally go top of the key to top of the key to keep as wide an angle as possible, usually on side away from table..step down on a shot....make all throw-ins on the sideline, except after a made basket. If there is a quick transition... stop...let the players run around you, then catch up to the play, or else you'll trample someone, or they will trample you.

[blindzebra]

Work the arch like a trail.

When the ball is away from you or in the post you need to be higher and out on the floor, otherwise you'll have another player step in your sight line or you'll be in a stack when the play is in the post.

FT line extended to middle of the court between the 3 PT line and center circle, has worked best for me.

Move a lot and adjust, and back up to the side line and let the players pass you in transition.

[rainmaker]

Originally posted by FrankHtown
If there is a quick transition... stop...let the players run around you, then catch up to the play, or else you'll trample someone, or they will trample you.

Originally posted by blindzebra
Move a lot and adjust, and back up to the side line and let the players pass you in transition.

Both great points.

[JRutledge]

There is no such thing as one man mechanics. You do whatever you feel is best to watch the game. I am not an advocate of any one system. You should not be put in that situations and whatever you do should work for anyone watching the game.

Peace

[Kelvin green]

LIke has been mentioned Top of key to top of key, But you may want to work table side. That way you are calliong from about the same position and view that coaches have...

[refnrev]

Only done this a couple of times when a partner was a no show or showed up 1/2 hour late. I would only attempt it in Frosh or lower. I worked it like the trail in a 2 man crew and always try to stay opposite table. I made no beans that I wouldn't get everything and I wasn't going to put up with any whining. One game I had the Asst coaches stand at opposite corners of the gym, like volleyball linesmen, for OOB ONLY until my partner arrived.

[PAT THE REF]

Thanks. My local rec league was the one that didnt want to spend the $10 per game for officials for a 5-6th grade boys game......

Thanks - Pat

[rainmaker]

Originally posted by PAT THE REF
Thanks. My local rec league was the one that didnt want to spend the $10 per game for officials for a 5-6th grade boys game......

Thanks - Pat

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For young kids, it's actually a great exercise to work alone. If they are short enough and you're tall enough that you can see over them, you won't miss much, and you get to learn to "see the whole floor". Unless the kids get completely out of control in their attitudes, you will have no trouble keeping things in line, and you'll get a lot of credit. Even with kids this young, you still have to work your butt off.