Rookie Official Question
 

First year official.

Manual says that in a 2-man crew on the opening tip that the official goes with the ball. The official is table side.

Does that tell me that I have the table side sideline and the referee goes opposite?

Is there any guideline as to what sideline the lead has vs the trail on a non throw-in situation?

Not sure if I'm understanding your question...
but the tableside official who chops the clock (U) will become L & is responsible for the sideline closest to him/her.

Let me say that I'm not trying to argue but being a rookie and using my trusty dusty manual it says that the tableside official goes with the ball - not necessarily becomes the lead. Is that not what most do?

I guess my overall question is this: what determines what side of the court the lead is on vs the trail in any situation other than a spot throw-in?

99% of the time, the U becomes the lead. Only if there's a tip to the "backcourt" AND there's pressure will the U become the T.

The U is always table side on (and during the initial play after) a jump ball. The R is opposite table.

During a FT, the administering offical is table side, the non-administering official is opposite (that's the standard; some organizations have the calling official stay table side and have the other official administer and stay opposite).

Spence, I agree with you that it is as written (and easier) for the Umpire to go with the ball.
I also agree with Bob that the Umpire (usually) becomes Lead.

I suggest you pre-game the jump ball so the front court gets covered.

Tails I Win, Heads You Lose ...
 

This is worth repeating: I'd prefer to keep the rules, and mechanics, regarding jump balls just the way they are, with just two minor changes. I would eliminate the jump that starts the game, and I would eliminate the jump ball that starts each overtime period. Let's flip a coin like they do in football, and soccer. I'll bring the coin, and whoever loses the coin toss can keep the coin. That way everybody's happy.

Spence, as I read your question, it seems more about how to determine which official covers which lines than necessarily about the jump. So I'll tackle that one.

• L and T should be on opposite sides of the floor (other than when the L comes ball side).
• Each official is responsible for the sideline on his side of the floor. Even when he comes ball side, the L is still responsible for the sideline on his "proper" side of the floor. (Note that there are some common variations on this theme, but I'm talking about the basic principle.)
• However you got to the side of the floor you're on, you will be responsible for that sideline until you change sides.
• There are three situations that can force officials to change sides: 1) Jump ball, 2) Free throw, 3) Throw-in.
• The jump ball is as you describe. The non-tossing official (no longer has to be the U) will be responsible for the sideline on the table side.
• Free throw administration may require the officials to change sides from where they were.
• A throw-in may require a change of sides as the administering official goes to the spot (or near the spot if bouncing the ball) and his partner goes opposite.
• Other than that, you do not normally change sides. But never say never.

You are correct in my reason for questioning being both jump ball and afterwards.

FT: 2-man - what determines the positioning of the lead and trail in regards to sideline? Trail always opposite table? Give me some examples of when a FT may require switching sides.

Let me ask one more positioning type question.

The manual says that officials always switch positions after a foul. Is that 100% or , like the thinking on the jump ball, a "usually?"

For example, I'm trail and call a foul. I report it to the table. Do I then become the lead and administer the FT? Or , in that situation, do we not switch in order to keep the game moving?

The "by the book" two man switch refers to "ends of the court" not to T or L.

IOW, if you're closer to the "north" end line, then after either of you calls a foul, you'll be closer to the "south" end line. Whether you become L or T depends on the type of foul and how it's inbounded, etc.

Some organizations have "no long switch". So, if there is a foul called against the offensive team, and no FTs to be shot, don't switch. Just stay where you are, just as if the offensive team commited a violation.

Beyond that, it's difficult to describe (and understand) in words. You need to get to a clinic and / or watch a powerpoint presentation.

Thanks, Bob. Let me make sure I'm following:

1. I'm the lead , call a foul underneath the basket in the FC. Since I have to go the reporting area to report it, we switch.

2. I'm trail. Call a foul near the division line on the defense. I'm in the reporting area so I stay there.

In my association we switch on every foul.

#1: correct.

#2: not correct. You would be come the lead.

Do you say switch because you subscribe to the "always switch - no exceptions" theory ?

Regardless of the "no long switch" option, the situation you mentioned doesn't fall under what would be a long switch. A foul on the defense would always require a switch.