The NFHS has flipped back and forth on the proper 2-man positions. The links below detail the history, but basically it was one official at the throw-in location and one at mid-court prior to 2003. From 2003 to 2007 there was no one at the throw-in location and the two officials took spots on the FT semicircles or the blocks just as officials do in 3-man. In 2007 the NFHS decided to go back to the old way with one official at the throw-in location as it felt that this provided better information to the coaches and teams during the time-out.

http://forum.officiating.com/basketb...mechanics.html

http://forum.officiating.com/basketb...mechanics.html

Personally I like the way we do it now. I like having one of us at the throw-in spot. It makes it easier for the teams to know where we're inbounding the ball at and easier for us so we don't have to go back to the spot after going to the block or the top of the key.

Billy,

I thought so too. But the IAABO manual does not allow the ball to be placed on the floor. It requires the official to stand at the throw-in spot with the ball facing the direction of the throw-in .. or if a free throw will follow, to stand in-line with the official at the division line. (Timeout procedures R, S, T & V.)

Ball allowed on floor during time-out or intermission ???
 

At our local board's October 24, 2007 meeting we were told that there were three changes in IAABO mechanics for the 2007-08 season:
1) Not Closely Guarded Signal.
2) Referee can delegate jump ball toss.
3) Ball allowed on floor during time-out or intermission.

95% of games here in Connecticut are two-person games, and we were told that during a timeout, if the two officials needed to get together to discuss something, i.e., responsibility for last second shot, that the official responsible for inbounding the ball, or administering the foul shot, could leave the ball at that spot on the floor during the conference.

Did any of these three changes make it into the IAABO mechanics manual? I've got this in my written notes, and it's in the archive section of our local board's website, but I can't find any other citations.

My memory matches your notes...which suggests that the IAABO interpreters were told about this change at a meeting or during a conference call. I was certain that I heard about this change at last year's interpretation meeting -- and I have used the mechanic in several games (including one just last week.)

But I checked the mechanics manual from last year and this year...and I cannot locate a reference that supports this mechanic.

Bay State and Billy:

Read my post from yesterday at 11:14pm.

MTD, Sr.

Exactly...it is not in the IAABO mechanics manual, yet Billy has it in his notes and I definitely recall my interpreter saying the same thing: if you have to confer with your partner, put the ball on the floor.

Conference with your partner, would you bring the ball with you ???
 

It looks like the NFHS mechanic was somehow communicated, and accepted, by IAABO interpreters in at least two states, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, yet was not included in the 2007-08, or 2008-09 IAABO Mechanics Manual.

Was was wrong with the good old NFHS mechanics? Why did IAABO ever get into the mechanics business? What's next. Their own IAABO Rulebook? Their own IAABO uniform? Oh, that's right. We did have our own IAABO uniform, back in the mid-1980's, gray jersey with blue collar, and blue pants. And then we finally came to our senses and went to the NFHS black and white jersey, with black pants.

Mark T. DeNucci, Sr: Regarding your P.S., if you were the administering official after a time out, or an intermission, and you needed to have a short conference with your partner, would you bring the ball with you? Also, I'm curious, does your 2007-09 NFHS Basketball Officials Manual mention mechanics changes involving a not closely guarded signal, and/or allowing the referee to delegate a jump ball tosser? Thanks.

Just so you know I brought this up tonight at my local association meeting, and was told that at a 30 second timeout we are to be at the top of the key, and for a 60 second timeout we are to be at the block.

I asked about putting the ball on the floor and was told that the only way that would be acceptable is if the ball is directly in front of your feet at your designated spot on the floor. (See above)

I guess just like a lot of things, it all depends on the local associations and the supervisors in your area.

Billy:

To answer your question, yes.

I have seen pictures of officials wearing the gray shirts with blue collars, they look sharp, :D.

MTD, Sr.