Referee The Defense?

[kblehman]

Originally Posted by blindzebra

Well, it's simple...we need to find the defense, know the status of the ball (pivot foot, dribble), see through the play and attempt to pick up off-ball match-ups beyond the ball (screens, secondary defenders).

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

[blindzebra]

Originally Posted by kblehman

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.

[kblehman]

Originally Posted by jdw3018

I found that before I was taught this, I would focus on the ball handler much more often, and in those situations it's much more difficult to determine who causes contact, whether that contact is illegal, and whether legal guarding position has been obtained prior to certain types of contact.

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?

[Coltdoggs]

Originally Posted by jdw3018

I apply it in all situations, but even moreso in on-ball situations. If you focus on the defender while remaining aware of the offensive player for violations, you will be better able to determine if contact is illegal, and whether the defender has legal guarding position in the case of contact.

I found that before I was taught this, I would focus on the ball handler much more often, and in those situations it's much more difficult to determine who causes contact, whether that contact is illegal, and whether legal guarding position has been obtained prior to certain types of contact.

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!

[kblehman]

Originally Posted by blindzebra

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

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.

[blindzebra]

Originally Posted by kblehman

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?

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).

[blindzebra]

Originally Posted by kblehman

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.

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.

[JoeTheRef]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

Or that they don't even have to be "planted" to establish LGP.

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

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by kblehman

Perhaps this is why officials sometimes miss an obvious travel violation, because he's so intent (maybe too much) on watching the defender?

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

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by kblehman

Here's a link to it on the CAOA website: http://www.greatlakesreferee.com/hig...l/pregame2.pdf

Thanks !!

[tomegun]

Originally Posted by blindzebra

It's better to think of it as finding and knowing the defense.

As officials we need to know the status of all defenders in our primary, otherwise we get surprised by contact...when that happens a lot of the time good defense gets penalized.

Ref the defense, if taken literally, can cause a tunnel-vision on the defender and that can be just as bad as not knowing if the defender has LGP.

So what does all that mean?

Well, it's simple...we need to find the defense, know the status of the ball (pivot foot, dribble), see through the play and attempt to pick up off-ball match-ups beyond the ball (screens, secondary defenders).

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.

[NCAAREF]

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

[Adam]

Originally Posted by JoeTheRef

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

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.