Making Calls out of your primary.
 

We all know that good officials, like good players, have good vision of what is happening on the court and use their peripheral vision to get a better perspective beyond what is happening immediately in front of them. At the same time, officials and players are expected to do the job they are assigned and venturing out of their assigned task can have consequences, good or bad.

For example, a player is supposed to set a down screen for his teammate to pop out to the wing, but sees that his defender is cheating over to anticipate the screen; should the player do his job and set the screen anyways, or break off of the plan and slip the screen to make himself available for an uncontested layup? How does that affect his team and/or teammate?

And how does this relate to the officials? Well officials are supposed to focus on the action in their primary areas, but with so much going on and 10 players for 2 (or 3) officials to officiate, things can get difficult. Multiple players cutting from one area to another, bodies getting in the way of lines of vision, peripheral vision, angles and perspective. When an official notices a violation outside of their primary area, what should he do? Risk stepping on the toes of or offending his partner to make the right call that his partner may have missed due to obstruction/angle/etc? Ignore the violation and just focus on the happenings in his primary area? What is more important, the ego of his partner or the good of game? How do you react if your partner makes a call in your area? How do you explain an obvious call that goes uncalled by your partner when it's obvious you saw it? Do you even bother explaining it when questioned about the call/no call?

I know this might be a touchy subject.
Please discuss without name calling or hair pulling.

I trust my partners. If I see something in their area, and it makes me say "Oh, my" then I let it go. If I say, "Oh my God!" then I call it. If I miss something, I'm glad it was picked up by my partners. If I passed on it for a reason, we'll talk about it.

Geeze, what fun would that be? :)

From what I've seen, there are different philosophies for different levels. There are some common threads throughout those levels. One common theme is if you call outside your area on "normal" calls, more often than not you're wrong. I believe another common theme is if you see a non-basketball play (punch, kick, etc.), come and get it, no matter where it is on the floor.

Some differences involve "getting the play right" vs. "letting your partner live and die with the call or no-call". One school of thought is if you are watching your partner's area, who's watching yours? Others will say is it fair to the kids if you have information that will allow a proper call to be made, why not make that call? Sometimes, depending on the play situation, your area of coverage will change and expand. A good example would be at C - if all the players are on T and L's side of the floor, I'm not gonna sit back and say, "Whew, no one's in my area, time for a nap". I'm going to expand my coverage across the floor and help out with screens off-ball.

I don't know if there's any right, one-size-fits all answer. Sometimes it will depend on your partners that night. Sometimes it depends on the supervisor, or the general philosophy of the area.

I agree. Most of the calls I make out of the primary is when working in the slot position. These are mostly off-ball, secondary defenders, or a "hooking" foul from the post turning towards the basket.

Primary Coverage Area, Etc. ...
 

From my pregame conference with my partner:

Lead’s Primary Responsibilities
Primary coverage area. Post play. Illegal screens at elbows.

Trail’s Primary Responsibilities
Primary coverage area “works the arc”. Weak side rebound coverage. Drives starting in primary. Last second shot, basket interference, goaltending. Bring subs in.

Stay In Your Primary, It Must Be Obvious To Come Out Of Your Primary
If something is there that needs to be called, call it. Seldom should have four eyes on the ball. We’re not going to have too many double whistles if we are doing this right. Keep in mind your boundary line responsibilities and last second shot responsibilities. Put the ball in play where it goes out of bounds,
or where the foul is.

Out-Of-Bounds Help
For out-of-bounds help, let's get it right. Come together for a change if needed. If I have no idea and I look to you for help, just give a directional signal. No need to come to me. Just point. If I signal but I get it wrong, then blow the whistle and come to me. Tell me what you saw and let me decide if I’m going to change it.

Two-Point / Three-Point Shot
If one official incorrectly signals the number of points, the other official will simply blow the whistle immediately, discuss the play with our partner, come to a decision, signal the correct number of points to the table, and resume the game. We will only correct if we are 100% sure.

Last Second Shot
Let’s let each other know when there’s less than a minute in each period. 99% of the time, the Trail will be responsible for the call. Let’s both have an opinion in case Trail’s not sure. How will we handle a full-court pass when the Trail is stuck in the backcourt?

Goaltending And Basket Interference
99% of the time, the Trail will be responsible for the call. Lead can help out on a quick shot in transition, when Trail hasn’t made it into the frontcourt yet. Let’s remember that it’s never basket interference or goaltending to slap the backboard. Coaches and fans always want it, but we can’t award the points.

Press Coverage
Help each other. New Lead will wait at midcourt.

Also, I really like this earlier statement from JugglingReferee, short, to the point, and easy to remember: "If I see something in their area, and it makes me say "Oh, my" then I let it go. If I say, "Oh my God!" then I call it."

Here's a relavent discussion.

Got two e-mails yesterday from two different esteemed officials, also talking about generally calling out of your primary. Both officials used the exact same quote....one saying that he heard it from a noted clinician and the other saying that that he heard it from a Final Four official. The quote was <i>"If you're right, you're wrong. If you're wrong, you're f**ked."</i>

I was at a camp recently and during the classroom session on floor coverage the clinician (D1 for 15 years, just attended his second NBA camp in Vegas) made an interesting comment. When there are 2 officials there should be virtually no calls made out of your primary. The areas are so large and there generally too much happening in your primary for you to get a good enough look at something to go fishing in the other pond.

Such is not the case with 3 officials. If 8 of the players are on the strong side, the C should have taken a step or two in and expanded his primary to help with off ball screens, knees to the butt, etc. that the lead and trail would be screened from seeing. Additionally, on many drives the center AND trail can usually take one step and have a very clear view of the play as it unfolds. Many times the C will actually have a better view of the movements of the secondary defender than the L. That is why, according to him, most calls made by a 3 official crew should be double whistles...most of the fouls are very close to the "primary" of two officials.

Hmm...they seem to be consistent.

I think those comments pretty much sum it up for me.

At camp a couple nights ago, my partner had a whistle right in front of me on a marginal block/charge that I no-called. (Defender was already off-balance, and falling backwards before the -- slight -- contact.) At the break, the observer said to him, "If I'm the coach, I can't wait for you to come report that foul. Because I am going to be all over you for why you called something that the guy who was 6 feet away from it said wasn't a foul."

I think the key part of this previous response is in red...if you see something off-ball outside of your primary that needs to be called, then go get it. If it's on-ball, it better be (as a good Canadian friend of mine would say) "for God and Country" before you blow it in front of your partner.

OK, this is also relevant for me because with my nearly one whole year of experience, I find myself with wandering eyes on occasion (you will all be happy to know I am doing it less and less! at least I think I am).

I try very hard to stay in my area, and I tell my partners this exact line during pregame, so they know that I know that they may be concerned about my straying... I don't think I do it a lot, but a situation like a call in the paint where most players are packed in there- I might see an elbow to the back or a hold from behind that my partner might not see. If its off-ball, I'll get it right away. If it's on a drive or a rebound/tap, I TRY to hold my whistle to see if my partner has anything. If he passes (or didn't see it) and I decide to get it, I usually come loud with a "FROM BEHIND" or other verbal indication that hopefully lets the lead know that I'm not trying to poach or make him/her look bad.

Or is this still a bad idea no matter how you slice it?

Z

I'm sure opinions will vary, but I've been told to do the same thing. Give the official time to get the call (he/she may be coming with a patient whistle) if they don't blow & you're 100% then come in strong "hold backside". It works for me & it shows that you aren't attempting to step on your partners toes. There are some talented officials out there, but I dont think any has mastered the art of seeing thru people to get fouls from behind. IMO, that's being a good partner.

There are times when we need to go out of our primary to call the obvious. To me, the first key to going out of your area is that the whistle should be patient. I also think that the call should be one that even the blind grandpa in the top row can see. Lastly, especially when working with officials you know well, you can see that they have been straight lined or cannot see the play clearly. In these cases, to me, it is ok to go out of your primary.

Do you change this philosophy at all when working with junior or young, new refs?

Situation: I am one of the older, more experienced refs in two local youth, rec leagues. Often the assigner will match me up with new or very junior officials so I can help teach, mentor, etc. As has been discussed here, I like the "Oh my" vs the "Oh my god" theory, but should I be looking to help any more with a young novice vs an older pro? Or, do I just get with my partner at TO's, half, and after the game to discuss and not poach or call out of my area?

I obviously don't want to watch the entire court and want to stay in my P. Sometimes though, with the level of play and age of the players, I don't want the games to get out of hand. Thoughts?

I know certained esteemed members say they would never change their philosophy based upon the experience level of their partners. They would ref the exact same way with 2 Final Four officials as they would with brand-new JV HS officials.

while I used to fall into the "get the call right" philosophy of coming out of my primary when I saw a call that needed to be made....I've changed my thinking thanks to a summer of D1 camps. The consistent mantra was: "only call out of your primary for two reasons - 1) it's flagrant, and 2) it's a game decider (end of game situation). otherwise, STAY IN YOUR AREA!"

All the clinicians and assignors said that your better off letting your partner live or die with his call/non-call than you are reaching.....let him explain to a coach or observer why he did or did not make a call.

I would also like to add that if you are calling out of your area, it should not be very much at all. More like once a game for the crew otherwise let your partners live and die with calls.

Also my two reasons for calling out of my area are

1. If the play is non-basketball
2. If you know your partner was completely screened on the play

Peace

Not to hijack the thread - somebody can chime in with a quick answer. As a refresher, I'm here from the baseball board, but have been known to stick a toe into the ice cold water of basketball.

Isn't it whoever is outside opposite table that takes a last second shot, not the trail? Could be C or T...

The Center or Trail official has the last second shot responsibility (not sure what outside the opposite table means) if they are opposite table in 3 Person Mechanics. That is also if you are using NF and CCA Men's Mechanics of course.

Peace

Sounds like a good rule of thumb, rut. The only item I might (notice I said might) add is if a play was in your area but "slid over" into your partner's area and something happened just as the players crossed the imaginary line as you were turning your head. I think that's a given.

perhaps my terminology is a bit lacking :)

I meant... whoever is opposite table and not the Lead. By outside, I meant not under the hoop.

So, whoever is opposite table side in the T or C gets the horn.

Actually that only applies to the signal. The entire crew should have responsibility for the last second shot and give help or switch responsibility when needed.

Peace

Correct in FED and NCAAM.

In NCAAW, the center has the last shot, no matter whether C is table side or opposite.

Jeff,

That philosophy is the exact reason I chose not to pursue a career as a referee in college! I've talked to more than a fair share of D1 referees myself and they have the same philosophy but don't teach it in hopes that the future generations of college officials will not have the notion of going out and reffing with a survival attitude but instead with a team officiating approach.

You can say what you want about the pro game but they officiate with the idea of team officiating and being a good partner at hand. There are so many plays where you get closed off or a play leaves your primary and when you have a team officiating concept you aid the game, your partners, and yourself.

Let me touch up my last post. I didn't mean to make it sound like I dislike college refs. I have many that I truly respect and they are doing what they have to in order to get more games and make more money. I just totally dislike the philosophy of "let your partner live or die with that play". I'm not going to let my partner live or die with a block charge play when he comes up with no whistle on sufficient contact. He might have been caught by surprise and did not want to guess so in this case you aid the game, your crew and yourself and in that order by blowing on this play. What about plays where your partner is in good position to see a play and all of a sudden he spins or does something that takes him to a straight stack but you now have the best look in the house, I believe you owe it to, once again, the game, the crew and yourself to make a call if there is a foul.

I hope my partners never let me live or die with plays. I just ask them to do one thing. Be 100% sure, according to your teachings, that it is a foul. If you were sure then I am more than content with it.

When I go work college games, I love having crew members who aren't afraid to blow the whistle and will be aggressive. I love double whistles on plays that aren't completely obvious but are fouls non the less in dual coverage areas. I love hearing something other than the primary officials whistle on PnR plays. These plays are part of a team officiating approach and IMO it makes for an overall better report with your crew and a better officiated game.

What if there was a flop? What if your partner passed on a play they did not think was a foul and it is in their area? I know I do that all the time and I do not want another official making a call that I clearly was passing on. Many times I see officials make calls in other official's areas, they are also wrong. And if someone is constantly caught by surprise, they may not need to be out there. That is especially true at the college level.

If that is in the lane, then all the officials are likely looking there anyway. But if the play is up to in front of the T and I get a call from the C or L, then we have a problem.

Well if you are working with me and many other experienced officials (especially at the college level) there are not going to be a lot of officials looking in your area. So you are going to have to live and die with that call in the first place.

I cannot speak for you, but this philosophy is not a "college philosophy." If anything it is an officiating philosophy. I do this along with several other high school officials I have worked with and it is talked about in pre-game meetings all the time. I have more high school tapes with officials that have never stepped on a college floor and they adhere to that way of calling the game clearly.

Peace

I first heard about this type of thinking (let your partner live and die w/ his calls) a couple of years ago and it was an "East Coast" mentality. As the paychecks for D1 games have increased significantly in the last few years....and since I don't yet receive them and would definitely like to....I'll do what the supervisor of the league I'm working in that night dictate my actions. I'd like to think the crew would "get the call" right - that's ALWAYS the goal! However, I'm smart enough to know that in the crazy world of officiating, you can be right and wrong all at the same time.

That would be a very true statement and it is indeed a crazy world! sad as it is, but you're right you have to do what you have to do to survive and make those big $$$$$. That's the name of the college game.:(

Jeff, I understand where you're coming from and wanting to get the call right, that is what all of us want. What I like to think about is why we have primary coverage areas. We have primary coverage areas because those are the parts of the floor we can see and get good angles with. When you go out of your primary you probably don't have the best look at the whole play. At camps this summer I've heard statistics that when we go across the lane as L we are wrong much more than we are right. That's why we have primary coverages.

Last season I helped out another veteran crew in the area. I knew them only by reputation before we met for the ride. Early in the game I was L and one of the veterans was C. There was a HUGE crash to the floor on a drive around the second lane space opposite from me. It looked like crap from my perspective and there wasn't a whistle. Being new to the crew, I passed and asked about it at a dead ball. The defensive player took a dive and it was no-called. Had I gone out of my primary to make what looked like the right call to me (probably a PC) I would have been dead wrong.

[sarcasm]Gosh, you mean there was a crash and a veteran crew (with apparently a good reputation) passed on it? Gee, and I thought everytime a player hit the floor we were supposed to have a whistle.[/sarcasm]

LOL!!!

Peace

was this "no-call" confirmed through video breakdown after the game? While I believe and trust my partners, tape can totally change the story and those tapes are the ones that keep getting replayed and replayed on either TV or in the coaches office. So although your partner says flop on the court doesn't totally make it so. The tape has turned me into a liar plenty of times!

Perhaps, but whom would you rather trust on the court. The C with an unobstructed view, or the L looking through a bunch of bodies? The question here isn't whether this play was definitively a block/charge/no-call. It's about the fact that you have to consider that your partner may well have a better look than you on a call that's in your partner's primary. Trust your partners.

You cannot back up every call and situation with video. Unless we are getting national TV coverage with several camera angles and the ability to easily slow down frame by frame, the typical school tape might only show where the officials were standing. And that sometimes can be a stretch.

Peace

What kind of BS is that? As we have all seen numerous times, you can put a clip on here and get as many different opinions as there are people. It's a judgement call. Who needs to confirm? Will it change anything? He did the correct thing by not reaching. Had he come up with a whistle and later the C told hime he passed for a reason, would you make the same comment? If available, they could look at the play on tape and see why the lead wasn't ball side and say, maybe I should have rotated sooner, or maybe it was a curl and originated in T's primary and the T should have taken it all the way to the hoop (I'm just bringing up other scenarios and do not pretend to know the play or blame anyone for being out of position). That's what you can take from the play rather than trying to prove "I'm right, you're wrong". Just my $.02

Roger

Comments of the casual observer about officiating often have little or no significance to the officials, but in this case I think they do. The casual observer may know nothing of areas of primary responsibility, but a "long distance call" tends to attract a lot of attention. "My gosh, he called it from all the way across the gym!" What's wrong with the other guy? It was right in front of him!"

There are exceptions to everything, but:

If you make this call and get it right, it tends to make the crew look bad.

If you make this call and get it wrong, it is pretty much unforgivable.

Doubleringer hit the nail on the head on this topic. There is a reason we have primary areas; experience has shown that when we stay in our primary, we have the best look at the play, and thus the best opportunity to get it right. There are always going to be exceptions, of course, but nothing can ever be done to make certain we get a 100% perfect view of each and every play. The areas of primary coverage are set up to maximize our opportunity to get the play right.

No disrespect intended to any of the previous posters, but in my pre-game, I never tell my partners that it's OK to invade my primary "if you are 100% sure". I don't know about everyone else, but whenever I blow my whistle, I feel like I am 100% sure. The video may ultimately prove me to be wrong, but at that moment, it feels like 100% to me, so I put air in the whistle. People who are much better at this than I have spent hundreds of hours breaking down tape to analyze calls. For example, when at the lead, if we call across the lane, tapes will show we are wrong nearly 50% of the time. If we stay in our own primary, our percentage is closer to 90. With that in mind, I agree with Rut's philosophy. If it's a non-basketball play, or a game-decider that everyone in the place could see, I'll go get it. Otherwise, I'm playing the odds and staying in my primary.

Primary coverage areas aren't just arbitrarily set up; they are set as they are to make sure that when we blow our whistles, we have the best chance of being right.

I don't know what they teach in other areas...but around here this is a pre-game topic.

There are times when NOTHING is happening in your primary. When at C and 10 players are on the strong side of the court, we are taught to move onto the floor and EXPAND OUR PRIMARY so we can get the push in the back, illegal screen, holding of the back of the jersey, etc. I get the impression that according to some on this board, the C should never make that call because it is not in the C's primary as drawn in the book. Let the T live and die with it...after all, he should be able to watch the play in front of him AND see through all the traffic to get that call. At L, when all the play is above the free-throw line and the offense is buring the clock at the end of the game...are you just standing thing humming show tunes or are you expanding your primary looking for blatant holds, pushes, etc. that the defense may WANT called so they can put the 60% FT shooting post player on the line and not the 95% FT shooter handling the ball?

Just like there are reasons we have "primary" coverage areas, there are reasons we have "secondary" responsibilities. I get the impression from some of these post that some would be angry if there was a double whistle during one of their 3-official games.

Even better: I do enough 3-man that every year I have a triple whistle in a 3-man game. :D It's always at the top of the lane, a bit below the FT line.

OD, obviously, your situations call for some flexibility, and no one here (that I know of) would deny that. For simplicity, we could look at this as a spectrum between "call what you see" and "stay in your primary."

Some refs are way on the side of CWYS, and others are completely in the SIYP land. The vast majority fit somewhere in the middle, on different spots along this spectrum for various reasons.

Obviously, if a C has no one in the primary, expanding is desired. But really, how often are all 10 players (or even 9 players) going to be on 1 side of the court? Half of those times, it will involve a rotation, then won't last long (as soon as an offensive player recognizes the wide open back door, it will go away).

Obviously, there are times to jump out and get those pushes in the back or travels in the paint. The problem comes when officials use the "CWYS" philosophy to look all over the court and end up missing the push in the back off the ball in their primary.

I think most will agree that if there is nothing happening in your PCA we can/should expand, but at the same time perception is "why did the C call it from way over there & we have 2 officials right here".

As someone said earlier, in officiating you could be right & wrong (for different reasons) at the same time.

For the record, I think double whistles in the a 3 person game (in the appropriate situation of course) assists in solidifying the call.

IOW:
If you're right, you're wrong.
If you're wrong, you're Ffffed.

very profound

To my surprise (I work very little 3-whistle), this concept was actually stressed in both camps I attended this summer....double whistle in 2-man means someone is probably ball-watching, but a double-whistle in 3-man generally helps to sell the call.

Hmmmm. Seems like I've heard that somewhere before. Now where was that??:D

I think some steamed member said it.