Question from a 1st Year: Those other members of the officiating crew.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by ca_rumperee

One play that has cropped up a couple of times for me that has caused me some grief is the fast break pull up 3 point shot. It has happened to me a couple of times...

I'm the Lead, down past the endline. Team A pass is stolen out near the 28 foot line by B1. Everybody on the court is now in transition, including me up the sideline. As I'm nearing the division line, B1 pulls up for a shot very near to 3-point line, directly between me and his basket.

I cannot see the front side of his shoe as it relates to the line. Both times that it has happened to me, my partner (who I am told is responsible for this call in this situation) has no indication for me. As I recall, they were looking elsewhere both times.

Anyways, shot is good! What the hell am I supposed to do? I do not know if this was a 3-point goal or not. One of the things on my pre-game audio that I listened to said, "Get the 3-point call right. Stop play if need be."

So, if I blow it dead I'm going to my partner. If he has nothing is there any way we can award 3 points? Can someone from the rest of our crew of officials help? Person running clock says "he was behind the line"?

Can we help a 1st year, Vanilla Ice lovin' brother out here?

Word.

I'll be echoing most of the other comments. The situation has to be pre-gamed.

I was taught to only stop the game when you're sure that your P has incorrectly ruled 2 or 3 points. IOW, stop the game:

• if he signals 2, and it's a 3, or
• if he signals 3 and it's a 2.

Furthermore, if this is a transition play, the new L has to understand and expect that you're not going to be in position. The athletes are often faster than the officials, and passing the ball moves up-court more quickly than an official running. Your P likely has few other players in his field of vision other than the ball carrier/shooter and the defender(s) playing defense. IMHO, s/he has to work this coverage into his/her game to be the best P s/he can be.

If you are able to get up-court somehow for proper coverage, signal the 3 if necessary, or the 2 if close.

In the end, if your P has no indication, and you do not know, as NV said, the made basket is worth 2 points.

I know it is not recommended, but I actually anticipate this play when a quick transition happens. Instead of running up the sideline as the new T, I swing a bit to the centre of the court, to get that angle needed to see the foot behind/beyond the 3-point line. You have to be quick to do this, though.