2-person mechanics/switching

[rwest]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

You might not switch (and I don't either; and I think FED should change the mechanic), but the current, proper mechanic (assuming "pure" FED is used) is to switch on every foul.

For the OP -- if you tell your partner that you are new and want to work on mechanics, they might be more receptive to "doing it by the book". I know I have been when working with newer partners.

In GA we don't switch on long switches. We teach our rookies that. I agree with you that rookies need to learn to officiate by the book in most instances. However, when the state association has a different mechanic, they need to do it the way the state wants them to. It should be made clear that this is a deviation from the FED rule. I was told when I first started officiating that "we don't do long switches anymore" and I thought that this was a FED change. Apparently it was a State Change instead.

Any other states out there that don't do long switches by state adoption and not by personal choice?

[cford]

Originally Posted by rwest

In GA we don't switch on long switches. We teach our rookies that. I agree with you that rookies need to learn to officiate by the book in most instances. However, when the state association has a different mechanic, they need to do it the way the state wants them to. It should be made clear that this is a deviation from the FED rule. I was told when I first started officiating that "we don't do long switches anymore" and I thought that this was a FED change. Apparently it was a State Change instead.

Any other states out there that don't do long switches by state adoption and not by personal choice?

Have you seen this in writing from the state? I'm guessing due to the statement "Apparently it was a State Change instead" that it was only told to you and that you haven't seen it in writing. I was told the same thing when I first started officiating. However, I think that GHSA was talking about no long switches in 3-person mechanics and this got passed down to 2-person mechanics. I try to verify everything I am told by a "veteran" official b/c there have been to many times that misinformation has been passed down.

Someone else brought up the point that after calling an offensive foul in the front court that the old Lead will become the new Trail so you have essentially switched. I don't think this is what was meant for the mechanic but it helps me to justify saying that no long switches is okay. I tell the crew to pregame it so that they are on the same page during the game.