Closely Guarded Count by the Lead

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by CMHCoachNRef

JRut,
I basically agree with your statements. But, let's say an entry pass has just been made into the post who is on the low block. If there are eight players on the ball side, doesn't this put two sets of eyes on the two players on the block and zero on the other six?

If the ball is on the low block, chances are other players are going there too. I have also very seldom seen a single 5 second call on the low block either. Either the ball is going to the basket or they ball is going to be passed away. And if the ball is dribbled away from the post and there is still a count, you want to take the Lead away from watching the post (where other players are located) to continue a count? That is why I feel having the lead count is stupid.

Originally Posted by CMHCoachNRef

My main varsity crew follows your mechanic EXCEPT when the ball is literally in the low post (the situation I described). In this case -- and only in this case -- the Lead takes the count.

That is fine, but the Lead needs to concentrate on the contact, not whether if they are closely guarded. Let the Trail or Center take care of that. This is not Women's college basketball or the NBA where a count only applies in a very small percentage of situations. I would never advocate such a mechanic and think that you are weakening the crew by having the lead take care of something that other officials on the crew can do. And if you think (not you personally, anyone in general) you cannot ever have more than two sets of eyes on the basketball player, then you are not aware of how the entire mechanic works. Just my opinion of course.

Peace

[BktBallRef]

The Lead never counts closely guarded.

[All_Heart]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

That is fine, but the Lead needs to concentrate on the contact, not whether if they are closely guarded. Let the Trail or Center take care of that. This is not Women's college basketball or the NBA where a count only applies in a very small percentage of situations. I would never advocate such a mechanic and think that you are weakening the crew by having the lead take care of something that other officials on the crew can do.

The Trail has to judge contact AND have a closely guarded count when the ball is in his/her primary. I don't understand why the Lead can't do the same thing. Why don't you advocate the Center official counting the closely guarded count when the ball is in Trail's Primary?

Originally Posted by JRutledge

And if you think (not you personally, anyone in general) you cannot ever have more than two sets of eyes on the basketball player, then you are not aware of how the entire mechanic works. Just my opinion of course.

Agreed.

[Texas Aggie]

CCA Men's Mechanics are almost identical to NF Mechanics and procedures.

Signal mechanics, perhaps, but not floor mechanics. None of the three, in my view, are really close to being "identical."

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by Texas Aggie

Signal mechanics, perhaps, but not floor mechanics. None of the three, in my view, are really close to being "identical."

The Lead's area in CCA Men's and NCAA is exactly the same. The only difference is NF took away the dual area for the Trail. Everything else is pretty much the same.

Peace

[rwest]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

The Lead's area in CCA Men's and NCAA is exactly the same. The only difference is NF took away the dual area for the Trail. Everything else is pretty much the same.

Peace

When the ball goes below the free-throw line extended, even beyond the three point line, the lead is on ball. In that case the trail needs to pick up action in the lane. I understand your argument JRut. I realize that there is action in the lane that is going to be hard for the trail to see. However, there are plays that are just as hard for the trail to officiate when the ball is below the free-throw line extended. Having the lead open up on the play and officiate is not such a bad idea, as long as the trail picks up the leads lane responsibilities. Its also not a bad idea in this case if the C reaches a little to pick up what the trail can't see.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by All_Heart

The Trail has to judge contact AND have a closely guarded count when the ball is in his/her primary. I don't understand why the Lead can't do the same thing. Why don't you advocate the Center official counting the closely guarded count when the ball is in Trail's Primary?

Most counts are start above the 3 point line and might continue. And BTW, the mechanic has the Center count if the count continues in there area. I just think you take the Lead from their primary responsibility and that is post play. And that is why we do not advocate that silliness.

Peace