Originally Posted by Kelvin green (Post 552116)

if you wait for all the players and the ball to get below the FT line and then move across you may be too late. This is where you have to know what the teams are doing and what they are playing. If a team is playing zone defense, and the offense is skip passing alot you will probably wont be doing a lot of strong side officiating.

If the teams are playing man-to man and the team likes to go inside, you gotta get across because you know the ball is going to the hoop from that side.

If the two big guys are posting each other up and the ball is on opposite side from me as lead, the ball seems to be settling on that side and the big guys go across, I am going with them most of the time. I would rather be watching the post play from a couple of feet in front of them than from 15 feet, especially if you can get there and the ball is going to them...

My favorite mechanic (learned this from another official who does it so well)... If you are fast enough and can deal with a fast break and the ball is on opposite lane from you, if you can beta them down and get across it looks so good if there is foul because you are right there...

I learned my strong side mechanics in the two man game from Hue Hollins from the NBA...( a couple of years before the term had even hit high school reffing circuit).. His philosphy and that of the NBA two man crew (at least then) was that three person mechanics is a two man strong side game with a third official to help cover the backside.. The reason I bring this up... Watch college or NBA games and see when lead goes strong side with the play and see (based on NFHS philosophy) if you would or should go over to watch players or the ball. Get a feel for the game by even watching the TV games and you will recognize that many times when the lead in a three person game goes across, you might want to go across in a two person game...

Just something to think about...