Transition Question (2-whistle)
 

I thought about this last night during a game I was officiating. The game was a 2-whistle game. I was the trail and then became the new lead during a transition. The turnover happened about 10 feet in front of me and the players came running right at me. Should I have tried to beat them down the floor, staying in front of them, watching over my shoulder as I ran? Or, should I have let them pass me and then watch for the foul from behind as I ran to my position? I always try to beat the players and sometimes have to briefly turn my head to make sure I don't run into anyone (which is a problem in tiny gyms). I've seen some officials allow the the players to pass them, but these officials are older officials who can't keep up with the players. Is there a correct way to officiate plays like this?

If it helps...
 

If I can't beat the transition to the baseline, I let the players pass and try to "button hook" behind them to get positon that is not straightlined. However, you need to stay aware of the other 8 players running in behind you.

No, there's not *A* correct way to officiate plays like this.

You need to read the play and get to the best position possible (not necessarily the best possible position).

Sometimes that means running ahead of them. Sometimes it means letting them pass. Sometimes it means running for a bit, then letting them pass. Sometimes it means moving toward the middle of the floor. Sometimes it means staying wide. Sometimes it means making the old-L become the new-L while you stay at T the whole time.

Sometimes, you just have to officiate.

Amen, Bob! While the "best possible position" is to always be in front of the play and watch as they approach you, sometimes that cannot happen. In these cases, rather than trying to get to this "best possible position" ending up getting completely straight-lined and forced to guess, you are much better off getting to "the best position possible" so that you can officiate the play.