2 Questions from a Football Official

[Rick KY]

1. Why do the basketball officials working the wings, in 3-man mechanics work 3-4 paces out on the floor, instead of on the sideline? It seems to me that these officials could very easily interfere with the players if they move quickly in their direction, and often get closer to the offensive player than his defender does.

2. Player A1 just passed the ball to A2 near the top of the key, and A1 proceeded to move toward his position in the low post. Player A3 was moving along the baseline with defender B1 moving with him. Players A1 and B1 collide. It appears to be completely incidental/accidental, but A1 was called for an illegal screen foul. A2 had passed the ball to A4 on the opposite side of the floor drom where the contact occured. Is this the right call?