Get the call right? Stray from your primary? How far?

[just another ref]

I have made this call once in 20 years as far as I can recall. I had just started as an official and was calling a game with a guy who was one of my elementary school teachers. Starting the 2nd half, he put the ball in play. A1 passed to A2, who was clearly in frontcourt, at least 5 feet. A1 stepped inbounds, clearly in backcourt, and took a return pass. I paused long enough to give him the opportunity, then made the call. He looked sheepish and said something like, "Yeah, it was, wasn't it?" Under identical circumstances, I think I would make the same call today, if I saw it that clearly. The difference now is that it is less likely that I would be watching the ball from lead in this situation. Also, if any defender was anywhere in the picture that might have touched the ball, I certainly would not attempt to make the call.