Oh, is that all there is to it? You make it sound so simple! :)

If it were easy that loud mom in the tenth row could do it.:D

That makes sense, thank you. My partner and I tried last night to do a better job of this and we both agreed it's easier to make those determinations.

OTOH, it's a little more difficult to see a ball handler travel or palm the ball, etc. Perhaps this is why officials sometimes miss an obvious travel violation, because he's so intent (maybe too much) on watching the defender?

I like what you are saying....

I would add this...We know where the ball handler is going....to the hoop (and I use that loosely, they might be moving from wing to baseline to make a pass to the post or whatever) point being, the O's job is to get to the hoop and get the ball in there.

As has been stated, if you focus on the ball handler, you have no idea if the D had LGP or if their movement caused the contact or if they beat the O to the spot and then contact happened OR if they are going down before contact.

These coaches that cry about PC calls by saying "He (the D) was not set).....defender doesn't have to be "set".....it's about how he's moving and when/how the contact occurs....You can't know this watching the Offensive player....

Had one the other day where the defender was in LGP and moving with the the dribbler... on the drive dribbler lowered his shoulder and went Shaq on him....TWEET! PC!

Well, they never make a bad call from up there so it's no surprise they think it's so easy.

I've always contended that the 6th row provides the best view to see the contact (high & low) and also see the ball handler's feet to pick up any traveling violations.

That's the challenge, don't lock onto the defense.

Try always getting an open look and referee through the match-up...doing this gives you a good look at the play, means you can't lock on a single player and will help you nail those money calls (block/charge and illegal screens).

Had a little kids game once and this one area was so loud, after a TO I walked up the bleachers and set in that row. I got a bunch of WTF looks before I stood up and said, "I figured this was the perfect spot to call the game," and smiled.

The whole crowd cracked up and were surprisingly quiet the rest of the game.

No, but both feet must be touching the playing court to establish or "obtain" legal guarding position (1 of 2 requirements to obtain LGP).

"Referee the defense" does NOT mean "Referee ONLY the defense."

Thanks !!
 

Thanks !!

Wow, I said the same thing almost a year ago, called it "reffing the matchup" and was criticized a ton. But, this is exactly correct.

Feet Planted
 

Ok, poor choice of words, should have said "established a legal guarding position". You guys are so picky!:)

Yes, but this requirement doesn't mean the same thing most fans/coaches think of when they hear "planted." "Planted" implies being stationary, while a player can be moving quite quickly and have both feet on the floor at the same time while facing his opponent.