Side-line coverage in two-man

[Damian]

So, the trail has to go over. Even if means you have to go all the way to the opposite sideline to get a good view. If this occurs, you could actually cause a two man rotation where the lead would eventually move across the lane. we cover this in most camps.

[Bearfanmike20]

Diagrams please... some of us are visual people

[TimTaylor]

Originally Posted by Bearfanmike20

Diagrams please... some of us are visual people

Think of it this way - mentally divide the width of the court into 3 zones that run the entire length of the court, see diagram below (solid lines are the side lines):

__________________________________________________ _____________

A

------------------------------------------------------------------------

B

------------------------------------------------------------------------

C

__________________________________________________ _____________

Trail should move so that they are never more than one zone away from the ball. In the OP, assume trail's side line is the top & lead's the bottom. If ball is in A or B, trail is in A, but if ball moves across court to C, trail should move into B, even as far as the imaginary line between B&C to get best angle on the action. Lead's sideline is still their responsibility and they need to slide out along the end line to cover it when the ball is over there.

The bottom line is that in 2 man especially, you both need to be ready to move to both cover your area of responsibility and get the best angle on the play, and when necessary do so decisively. Sometimes it means closing down or even going ball side, others it means backing out to open up the angles to get a better view of the whole play.

Hope this helps!

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by TimTaylor

Think of it this way - mentally divide the width of the court into 3 zones that run the entire length of the court. Trail should move so that they are never more than one zone away from the ball. The bottom line is that in 2 man especially, you both need to be ready to move to both cover your area of responsibility and get the best angle on the play, and when necessary do so decisively. Sometimes it means closing down or even going ball side, others it means backing out to open up the angles to get a better view of the whole play.

TimTaylor: Great post. Young officials, please take note.

Here in Connecticut we are taught similar ABC mechanics, however, we have been encouraged to occassionally move slightly into the third zone, especially in trapping situations in the far corner from the trail, against the divison line. In other words, in such a trapping situation, the trail may go from C, into B, slightly into A, and possibly move slightly into the backcourt, to, as you said, "backing out to open up the angles to get a better view of the whole play".

[mick]

Originally Posted by Damian

So, the trail has to go over. Even if means you have to go all the way to the opposite sideline to get a good view. If this occurs, you could actually cause a two man rotation where the lead would eventually move across the lane. we cover this in most camps.

Going to the sideline is not a must, just because it's Trail's primary. There is a chance to be too close to the play to see the play. Trail can see a lot of stuff from the top of the circle ! ...And mileage may vary.

But, yeah, a rotation could be forced if Lead gets nervous and bails out, because Lead isn't comfortable working strong-side mechanics, or if a corner-to-corner skip pass is made, someone has to get over there.

All things considered, I would hope that Lead keeps his sideline, and that Trail doesn't forget what's happening in the rest of his primary.

[truerookie]

In this situation as Trail, I would move into the BC as not to obsecure my vision.

[mick]

Originally Posted by truerookie

In this situation as Trail, I would move into the BC as not to obsecure my vision.

That can work on a small court, but maybe not on a larger court.
It sorta depends on where the the trap is applied.
If the trap is near the division line, going backcourt makes lotsa sense. Conversely, if the trap is near free throw line extended we may not see much.

But ya, don't let any moss be growin' under yer feet. There ain't no fixed restrictions on where an official can be.

[Vinski]

Would it be reasonable to say that in a situation like this, that even though the play is in trail's primary coverage area, lead has primary responsibility for the OOB because it is lead's side-line, but trail needs to make a strong effort to come up high and over some and help?

[mick]

Originally Posted by Vinski

Would it be reasonable to say that in a situation like this, that even though the play is in trail's primary coverage area, lead has primary responsibility for the OOB because it is lead's side-line, but trail needs to make a strong effort to come up high and over some and help?

Well, again, coming "up high" may not give the best look depending on where the spaces are between the defender(s) and the ball handler, but certainly, making the strong effort to get there is a good idea.


And we remain aware that if/when the ball goes out of bounds, it is Lead who *blows* the violation (the ball touching out of bounds).

If Lead needs help, he looks to Trail.
If Trail has it he points.
If Trail doesn't agree, they chat.
If Trail doesn't have it he goes "thumbs up".

[Vinski]

Thanks, Mick. That makes sense.

[blindzebra]

Originally Posted by mick

That can work on a small court, but maybe not on a larger court.
It sorta depends on where the the trap is applied.
If the trap is near the division line, going backcourt makes lotsa sense. Conversely, if the trap is near free throw line extended we may not see much.

But ya, don't let any moss be growin' under yer feet. There ain't no fixed restrictions on where an official can be.

If it's near FT line extended lead should come off the endline around the corner to take it, trail should then step down...more like a C...and officiate off ball. That's the way I pregame it.

[mick]

Originally Posted by blindzebra

If it's near FT line extended lead should come off the endline around the corner to take it, trail should then step down...more like a C...and officiate off ball. That's the way I pregame it.

We're free to "move to improve", but what you are suggesting seems to hint that we may be uncovering the endline and the division line because Lead stepped up annd Trail closed down.

If I am seeing this correctly, there will be no officials for possible line violations during a particularly stressful situation for the player who has a ball that he doesn't want anymore.

[blindzebra]

Originally Posted by mick

We're free to "move to improve", but what you are suggesting seems to hint that we may be uncovering the endline and the division line because Lead stepped up annd Trail closed down.

If I am seeing this correctly, there will be no officials for possible line violations during a particularly stressful situation for the player who has a ball that he doesn't want anymore.

Actually what I'm saying is just like the movement of trail and lead in a 4 corners stall. Trail would be working like a high C, off the side, closer to the arch.

Lead isn't coming all the way up, they are moving from the endline to about 3 feet above it on the sideline. They will get the same look trail would get from coming over without leaving the entire other half of the court uncovered. Plus you have the look at OOB now without needing help. Also a pass out of the trap doesn't require a 20 foot adjustment by trail, but means lead turning the corner and moving about 6 feet.

[truerookie]

Originally Posted by mick

That can work on a small court, but maybe not on a larger court.
It sorta depends on where the the trap is applied.
If the trap is near the division line, going backcourt makes lotsa sense. Conversely, if the trap is near free throw line extended we may not see much.

But ya, don't let any moss be growin' under yer feet. There ain't no fixed restrictions on where an official can be.

Mick, I agree with what you stated.

My reply was towards the trap occurring above the free-throw line more towards the division. In the event, it is FTL extended you would have to work hard to get a good peek.