Partner's late...How do you cover the court?

[JRutledge]

I roam all over the place. I just want to get in place to call what ever I can. It also helps when a coach tries to say I am out of position. I am also in shape to move around. I used to subscribe to the FT line to FT line mechanic, but that did not work in my mind. As Bob says you really have to find your own way and philosophy. I happened to work a summer league where I worked multiple games by myself and I just found what worked for me.

Peace

[Old School]

You can not roam all over the place. You will be out of position more often then not. Being at the FT line might at times be too close and prevent you from getting to the other side of the court should the ball swing over. You should be opposite the table and work where you can see everything.

At the jump, I explain to the players and coaches, it's on your honor system on the baseline if the ball goes out. If you can not work it out, it will be a jump ball. For example, ball goes out on the baseline opposite from where I'm standing, if the teams can't agree and I'm not sure, jump ball.

I use to try and go down to the baseline if the ball worked it's way down there. What made me stop was that I found myself over time refereeing the baseline for one team and not the other because no way I was going to go baseline to baseline. It turned out to be more baseline one team, trail the other. Not fair to me so I try to stay center. I could cover more here and even caught an intentional foul late in the game.

I have always worked my trail position towards center court because I had a great look at the ball and everything else. Plus, my Lead would often not pick up the ball in 2-person when it was deep in his corner. The area between the FT line semi-cirlce and half-court is where you start, preferrabily opposite table. If you need to go in from here, you can but don't go down too far. If the ball swings from one side to the other, you can easily go from one side to the other and then in.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Old School

You can not roam all over the place. You will be out of position more often then not. Being at the FT line might at times be too close and prevent you from getting to the other side of the court should the ball swing over. You should be opposite the table and work where you can see everything.

Here is the thing cappy. I will do whatever the hell I want to do. I am the only person on the game. If I am the only person on the game, I am out of position all the time for something. If I stay table side I will not see plays opposite table. If I state above the FT line I can easily miss things on the baseline. No matter where I stand or move to, I will not see something. If they wanted a set mechanic, they would create one. There are no mechanics in any book as to where to stand. There is only personal opinion and often those opinions are based on what someone else shared with them. No games during the regular season are assigned with one official on purpose.

Peace

[SmokeEater]

JRut, I know there was direct reference to your post but try not to let those comments get to you. I think everyone can see the opinion of the majority is the same as the one you originally stated.

It has been nice the past week or so without any posts from JMO.

[Jurassic Referee]

Originally Posted by SmokeEater

It has been nice the past week or so without any posts from JMO.

A little slice of heaven......

[refnrev]

Unlike Jeff, I don't roam much, in fact I'm pretty deliberate to stay in the trail. I do ususally go down to administer free throws. I, too try to stay opposite the table even though I have told the coaches that we're not working under ideal circumstances, to stay in their boxes, and I'll have less tolerance than ususal. Baseline OOBs are tricky, but be deliberate. They may know you missed it but they usually are pretty understanding. When you're flying solo you just have to get it done the best that you can.

[rbruno]

I've done many games by myself and i agree, don't run baseline to baseline cause you will not see anything and will be really tired and almost always out of position. I always tell the coaches before the game that I can't see everything and I may even ask for help from the players on the opposite sideline.
I tend to go free throw line to free throw line tableside. I figure even thought I am closer to the coaches on that side, that they can't see the opposite sideline any better than I can! Please don't listen (not that you ever should) to 3 second chants .... you have the ball and that's all..... thats why they have 2 or 3 referees.

[Mark Dexter]

Originally Posted by rbruno

Please don't listen (not that you ever should) to 3 second chants .... you have the ball and that's all..... thats why they have 2 or 3 referees.

Yup.

As much as I can't stand coaches counting "three . . . four . . . five," I tolerate even less of it (that is - none at all) when I'm working a game by myself.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by SmokeEater

JRut, I know there was direct reference to your post but try not to let those comments get to you. I think everyone can see the opinion of the majority is the same as the one you originally stated.

It has been nice the past week or so without any posts from JMO.

Who said the comments got to me? I just wanted to state that anyone can do anything at anytime when you are working by yourself. I know his history and I normally ignore his posts as I did in another thread today. You can do whatever you want if it works for you. And I dare anyone show evidence otherwise.

Peace

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Here is the thing cappy. I will do whatever the hell I want to do.

This is my favorite post in a long, long time!!!

[26 Year Gap]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

This is my favorite post in a long, long time!!!

Yup. I think JMO has got himself an official nickname.

[NURef]

I really appreciate the recommendations...

I was thinking the last few minutes of the half that night that I need to work opposite table and stay above the FT but it was sort of like "I've fallen and I can't get up".

I really liked the idea of a pre-game and asking the players to help via the honor system on opposite baseline OOB...calling jump ball if it can't be resolved.

The bottom line, as many stated, is there are no published mechanics for a one official game so you've got to do what's comfortable and what I did was not comfortable...live and learn.

Thanks!

[Tom M.]

Mr JRut. Wow, are you ever wrong? You post daily, and post after post it is always seems to be your way or the highway. A little humility would be nice once in a while.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Tom M.

Mr JRut. Wow, are you ever wrong? You post daily, and post after post it is always seems to be your way or the highway. A little humility would be nice once in a while.

What does humility have to do with giving an opinion? Just like I would never do what most say on this board about this subject, I can guarantee you there are people that will never do what I suggest either. And that is the reason some people get to certain places and others are still wondering why they are being held back. We all have choices to make that those choices have consequences.

If you do not like the opinions that I or anyone else gives, do not follow the damn advice or point of view. I just came back from a camp in Kentucky and I can tell you everything that I heard over the 3 days I would not do. I paid $560 for that advice and instruction (plus air fare with a cancelled flight and waiting hours on standby, and a rental car). This place is free and no one is going to assign you a thing based on what you say here. If you do not like the words that I have to say, do not use them. I personally do not give a rat's ***. I am not going to win an extra prize if you ignore what I have to say.

Peace

[Old School]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Here is the thing cappy. I will do whatever the hell I want to do. I am the only person on the game. If I am the only person on the game, I am out of position all the time for something. If I stay table side I will not see plays opposite table. If I state above the FT line I can easily miss things on the baseline. No matter where I stand or move to, I will not see something. If they wanted a set mechanic, they would create one. There are no mechanics in any book as to where to stand. There is only personal opinion and often those opinions are based on what someone else shared with them. No games during the regular season are assigned with one official on purpose.

I'm not saying there is a set mechanic but if you should happen to be in a situation like this. It is helpful to understand and learn from people who have experienced it. You can try to go anywhere you want but you will more often then not be out of position for an obvious violation. Staying back with the widest angle view is the best, working in from here when the play allows you too. I say this from expereinced, trial and error. I'm just sharing. Don't shoot the messenger.