Correct Position for Lead

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by mick

Assuming you are writing about 2-whistle, it depends on the number of players and the action on Trail's side.

In short, if the floor is balanced with players evenly spread on the court, go to the free throw lane extended, off the endline.
If Trail has a majority of players, go to the Trail's free throw lane extended, off the endline, but turn your body toward the action in the lane. Turning your body will help you stay in your primary as well as indicate, to Trail, that you still have the paint, but you are there if he needs you. This is called *strong-side officiating*.

I was discouraged from coming across in my first few years of officiating, and that was good advice. It was better not to have to worry about where I should be when I was learning what was a foul and what was a violation.

I think folks should regard strong-side officiating (and maybe even "pinching the paint") as advanced mechanics.