OK...I will say it changed this year if that makes you feel better! :D

Actually, it did...I had to change that on my pre-game conference sheet...not sure why, and I don't like it much, but it is what it is.

Ok, dang it. Now you gonna make me go home and read the manual again.

So, let me get this straight - is the C's position still the same, inside the arc and even with the top of the key?

I always thought the "C" should start around the midway point of the semi-circle and stepped down on the release to move closer to the play. While position below the free-thrower, C's closing in may distract the free-thrower.

Any input on this?

Yep...and still step down and all that. But C now has the weak-side rebound coverage same as on a "regular" shot...

My supervisor has always taught the "half-way, half-way" position for C...IOW, half-way between the sideline and lane line, and half-way between top of circle and free-throw line.

Someone may want to mention that to Steve Welmer.

As others have mentioned, this is still a Fed mechanic:

Official's Manual
#240-f. (Two Person Mechanics) The Trail official checks the position of the thrower's feet and begins the visible count (wrist flick).
#350-f. (Three-Person Mechanics) The Center official checks the position of the thrower's feet and begins the visible count (wrist flick).

Oh boy! :rolleyes:

Steve's a couple of feet taller than I am. I'm not mentioning anything he may be doing incorrectly (EDIT: mechanics-wise) to him!

Ok, I had to bring this up again to help with my confusion.

First off - rocky, you made me pull out my mechanics manual, and the one I have still shows the C has responsibility for the top two, opposite lane spots, as well as the top spot on the same side, and the shooter. The L has the bottom spot on the same side, and the bottom two spots on the opposite side. I only mention this as the pre-shot responsibilities; after the shot hits the rim, I agree the C covers the same side for rebounding action. Are we talking about the same things? Or was there a change that happened after this year's manual came out?

Again, I was responding to the OP, where he mentioned it looked like the C was WAY down, halfway between the FT line and baseline. My comment was at that position it would be very hard to see any lane violations. Now, since then, I have watched a few games and have not seen that mechanic. Now I'm wondering if perhaps j51969 was confused by the angle of the TV cameras. It does look a little like from the angle of the center court camera that the C is farther down.

Or, perhaps, it just gave the C a better look at the cheerleaders? ;)