Refereeing the Defense

[Kelvin green]

refeeeing the defense means not watching the ball so much. Even when you have the person with the ball and the primary defender... your promary focus should be the defender. There are only a couple of things the player with the ball can do... Pass, shoot, drive... You dont stop watchimg the offensive player but know what the defense is doing.... know if the offense is running a motion offense where an pick will be coming... If you are refereeing defense you should have an idea of who hit ball OOB since the ball is going at the defense righT... They are defensing the pass, defending the dribble.

Dont foucs on just two players, you have to know what is going on in the area and anticpaye plays and what they will do...

[blindzebra]

You shouldn't take the term literally and get tunnel vision on the defender.

The goal is knowing if the defender has attained LGP, not watching him/her continuously.

A better way to think about things is positioning to see through the play. If you concentrate on getting a look through, you will be aware of the defense, the status of the ball and other match ups beyond on ball.

[Junker]

Originally Posted by blindzebra

You shouldn't take the term literally and get tunnel vision on the defender.

The goal is knowing if the defender has attained LGP, not watching him/her continuously.

A better way to think about things is positioning to see through the play. If you concentrate on getting a look through, you will be aware of the defense, the status of the ball and other match ups beyond on ball.

This is good advice. I consider "referee the defense" more of a mindset than anything. You have to be in position to see the whole play in your primary. If you feel like you're missing violations on ball handlers, one thing I did early on was pick a weekend tournament or something and really concentrate on getting all of the travels you see. Then do the same for illegal screens and such. Gradually you'll build your skills.

[Vinski]

Originally Posted by blindzebra

You shouldn't take the term literally and get tunnel vision on the defender.

The goal is knowing if the defender has attained LGP, not watching him/her continuously.

A better way to think about things is positioning to see through the play. If you concentrate on getting a look through, you will be aware of the defense, the status of the ball and other match ups beyond on ball.

BZ, could you elaborate on what you mean by “Seeing through the play”? I’ve heard this term before, but I’m not sure what that means. Is this referring to an anticipation of what the defense is may do?

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Vinski

BZ, could you elaborate on what you mean by “Seeing through the play”?

"Seeing through the play" means that you see both players and the space between them. Seeing the space between them allows you to see "through" the play. If you can see through the play, it ensures that you're not straight-lined. It also makes sure that you can see who initiates contact (either with the hands, or by moving into the opponent's torso).

[howie719]

I to like to put myself in a position where the ball carrier and defender are aware of my presence. This can help to clean up play. I also like to pick up on what offense is being ran. This give me a good idea as to where my closest competitive match-up either is, or will be. During weekday leagues I work on focusing on my primary, so I don't get caught ball watching. This also helps with seeing past the play in front of you and anticipating the next play. Food for thought.

[blindzebra]

Originally Posted by Vinski

BZ, could you elaborate on what you mean by “Seeing through the play”? I’ve heard this term before, but I’m not sure what that means. Is this referring to an anticipation of what the defense is may do?

The best way to sum it up is getting an open versus a closed look.

Unlike the pin thing, hold up both hands in front of your face, one infront of the other. You can see the hand closest to you but the other hand is blocked from view...that's a closed look, also called being in a stack.

Now hold them up like you are about to clap, you can now see both hands, the space between them, and what is behind them through that space...that's an open look.

By moving to get and maintain that type of look, you will always have your defender's status...referee the defense...know the status of the ball...you'll miss fewer travels...plus you will be able to referee off ball and on ball at the same time, within your primary.