Where is your focus?

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Jurassic Referee

It's not a case of having tunnel vision and concentrating only on the ball.

I think that most fouls underneath usually occur after the shot is missed. And after the shot is missed, we now have 2 sets of eyes on the action looking for those fouls.

Excellent points. I wouldn't have thought to say it that way, but you are absolutely right about the advantage usually coming after the shot is missed.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

Excellent points. I wouldn't have thought to say it that way, but you are absolutely right about the advantage usually coming after the shot is missed.

I've called more than a couple fouls this year where B4, in a less than desireable position, grabs the shoulder of A4 to pull him back such that B4 is now in front. Most of the time, this has occurred while the shot is in the air.

In one case when I called the foul on B4, the coach, having picked up on the play only once the shot missed, asked how he could have fouled since he was in front. Once I told him that the foul was before the shot got to the rim and B4 was ONLY in front because of the foul (describing it as above), he nodded and sat down.

Players start jockeying for rebounding position as the shot is released. The action starts then. You have to watch that and keep the flight of the ball within your site at the same time (but not necessarily in focus), if you sense a possibility of above the rim play, then shift focus to cover that. You can tell when a player jumps up to make a play.

[Nevadaref]

The situation under discussion highlights one of the problems with the 2-man system and is a big reason why 3-man is becoming the norm.

There are three things to watch, but only two officials to observe them.
a. shooter returning safely to the floor
b. flight of the ball
c. players battling for rebounding position

All of these are important and we should strive to cover them all, but in reality we have to sacrifice something, so clearly we have to prioritze. Others are obviously free to disagree, but if I'm going to miss something with one of these it is going to be with the flight of the ball. I know that all the fans are focused on the ball and likely so are the coaches, so if I do miss something there I'm going to take grief, but I can accept that given the trade off.

The ball isn't going to hurt anyone. A defender charging out at a shooter could and I have no desire to explain to a coach that I was busy watching the ball when his player attempting to rebound underneath got an elbow to the chin that knocked his teeth out. If I miss that, then I'm going to have even more trouble than if I miss BI or GT.

Player safety is #1. Violations, points, and the lines on the court are secondary to that concern. Therefore, I choose to check the rebounding action for rough play first, then pick up the flight of the ball. Hence my original comment to reverse what the other poster wrote.

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Player safety is #1. Violations, points, and the lines on the court are secondary to that concern. Therefore, I choose to check the rebounding action for rough play first, then pick up the flight of the ball. Hence my original comment to reverse what the other poster wrote.

Good argument to trot out at this point. In fact, I'm so convinced that from now on my primary focus will be on the floor, to make sure each player's shoe remains tied. I think it should be yours too. And not just in our primary coverage, but all over the court. Just as you recommend.

btw... somebody emailed me recently saying I suck at sarcasm, because he can't always tell when I'm being sarcastic. This post is sarcastic, in case you can't tell.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Good argument to trot out at this point. In fact, I'm so convinced that from now on my primary focus will be on the floor, to make sure each player's shoe remains tied. I think it should be yours too. And not just in our primary coverage, but all over the court. Just as you recommend.

btw... somebody emailed me recently saying I suck at sarcasm, because he can't always tell when I'm being sarcastic. This post is sarcastic, in case you can't tell.

Good sarcasm is hard to tell when people are serious or not.

Peace

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Good sarcasm is hard to tell when people are serious or not.

Peace

Yeah. I think he was being sarcastic btw...couldn't tell.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

btw... somebody emailed me recently saying I suck at sarcasm, because he can't always tell when I'm being sarcastic. This post is sarcastic, in case you can't tell.

It's good that you specified that you were attempting to be sarcastic because otherwise I would have thought that you were just being a cranky, old guy.

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

It's good that you specified that you were attempting to be sarcastic because I thought that you were just being a cranky, old guy.

Cranky yes, old no... btw you might want to check those shoe laces...

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Dan_ref

Location: Just north of hell

I just noticed your listed location, and it's funny!

So exactly how far South do you have to travel to visit Jurassic?

[Back In The Saddle]

I've had a couple this year that were like this too. Only in my case, the player from behind simply shoved the guy in front under the backboard and held him off with a stiff arm. This was also before the shot got to the rim.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Back In The Saddle

I've had a couple this year that were like this too. Only in my case, the player from behind simply shoved the guy in front under the backboard and held him off with a stiff arm. This was also before the shot got to the rim.

There are at least 1-2 fouls a game where I live that are rebounding fouls that occur while the shot is in the air.

Those are the most important to get since they usually open up the fouler for a rebound and put-back.

[Scrapper1]

Well, thanks for nothing. Last night, I had a 2-man boys game. I was thinking, "Maybe those guys are onto something. Maybe I should try to change the way I do things. Tonight, I'll try picking up the rebounding earlier and just check the ball if there's a kid around the rim."

So mid-second-quarter, shot goes up, I pick up the weak-side rebounding as Trail and. . . where's the ball?!?! It was a high rebound around the top of the backboard and I had to guess as to whether it had hit a support.

15 years my way, no problems. One game your way, I have to guess. Screw that.

[Dan_ref]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

Well, thanks for nothing. Last night, I had a 2-man boys game. I was thinking, "Maybe those guys are onto something. Maybe I should try to change the way I do things. Tonight, I'll try picking up the rebounding earlier and just check the ball if there's a kid around the rim."

So mid-second-quarter, shot goes up, I pick up the weak-side rebounding as Trail and. . . where's the ball?!?! It was a high rebound around the top of the backboard and I had to guess as to whether it had hit a support.

15 years my way, no problems. One game your way, I have to guess. Screw that.

Yeahbut at least you knew everyone's shoe laces were tied...that's the important thing.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by Scrapper1

Well, thanks for nothing. Last night, I had a 2-man boys game. I was thinking, "Maybe those guys are onto something. Maybe I should try to change the way I do things. Tonight, I'll try picking up the rebounding earlier and just check the ball if there's a kid around the rim."

So mid-second-quarter, shot goes up, I pick up the weak-side rebounding as Trail and. . . where's the ball?!?! It was a high rebound around the top of the backboard and I had to guess as to whether it had hit a support.

15 years my way, no problems. One game your way, I have to guess. Screw that.

Thanks, I needed a good laugh this morning.

[Scrapper1]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

Thanks, I needed a good laugh this morning.

I'm glad you got a laugh out of it. I can assure that I was not amused last night.