More thoughts on new NF FT mechanic

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Maybe some states don't like that in the new positioning neither official can see the benches and table.

The mechanic affects more than just how close you are standing to the front court coach.

The lead can see the benches and table pretty well. In cases where there are subs, the lead can get a glance over to see if there are any and help out the trail. And there's a view of the benches in case a melee is breaking out. I still don't see what the big deal is. People are making more out of this than there is. *shrug*

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Smitty

The lead can see the benches and table pretty well. In cases where there are subs, the lead can get a glance over to see if there are any and help out the trail. And there's a view of the benches in case a melee is breaking out. I still don't see what the big deal is. People are making more out of this than there is. *shrug*

Really, a 5' 5" official doing a Varsity game involving 6'5" kids can easily see the bench in this new 2-man mechanic from the lead?

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

Really, a 5' 5" official doing a Varsity game involving 6'5" kids can easily see the bench in this new 2-man mechanic from the lead?

Sure, why not? What exactly do you think needs THAT much attention during a free throw? What's the difference between this scenario and the heat of a game when the trail is tableside and his back is to the benches? I would expect that situation to be much more volatile. Who's watching the benches then?

I think way too much significance is being placed on who's seeing what with this change in mechanics. During a free throw, as lead, I can take as much time as I need before bouncing the ball to the free thrower. If it's a tense situation. I can be very aware of what's going on at the benches.

Does everyone really have that many problems with the benches during free throws?

[FrankHtown]

Originally Posted by Smitty

I still don't see what the big deal is. People are making more out of this than there is. *shrug*

I agree.

I've gotten MUCH better at communicating with coaches since I am tableside, and not having to try to communicate from 45 feet away. Easier to explain what you saw, and/or the call you made. Easier to keep things under control than shouting across the floor.

The trail is right there if a coach requests a time-out before the free throws are taken.

And I'm 5'7" and have not had a problem seeing the scorer's table (I think that's where the subs are supposed to be) before I bounce the ball to the shooter as Lead.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by FrankHtown

I agree.

I've gotten MUCH better at communicating with coaches since I am tableside, and not having to try to communicate from 45 feet away. Easier to explain what you saw, and/or the call you made. Easier to keep things under control than shouting across the floor.

The trail is right there if a coach requests a time-out before the free throws are taken.

And I'm 5'7" and have not had a problem seeing the scorer's table (I think that's where the subs are supposed to be) before I bounce the ball to the shooter as Lead.

Being tableside or not has never been an issue for me communicating with coaches. Most coaches really don't give a hoot what I have to say, they just want to say something and feel like you're paying attention. I can do that from a distance with a nod of the head or some other non-verbal just as easily as I can do it standing in front of them with my back to them. By the time I get close to them again they are not even thinking about whatever play was on their mind.

And I've seen plenty of subs come to the table after the Lead has bounced the ball to the thrower (I think that they are allowed to report to the table after the ball has been administered).