Court Coverage

[Clark Kent]

Two man (or person) game. One or two seconds left on the clock. Team A is down by 1 or 2 points and inbounding the ball from team B's endline. Were do you position yourself as T? You will need to cover the end line to administer the ball and assure no violation occurs, however the pass is more than likely going to be thrown to the other end of the court where a quick shot will be attempted and as quick as I am I can't get there to get a good look at. What about L. Where does he/she put themselves to be able to "help" on the play?

Just looking for your opinions and feed back. Obviously it is something I'd discuss in pregame or certainly at the time out prior to the play (if there is one).

Thanks....I'll sit back and read your views.

[Adam]

For T, it depends on whether B is pressuring the ball, and where the other players are setting up for the pass. If everyone is down court except the thrower, I'll start a few steps into the court and run as soon as the pass is launched.

If there's just one defender on the ball, and the other 8 are down court, I'll hang on the endline until the pass is launched and my next move will depend on those two.

As L, again it depends. Assuming everyone is down court but the thrower and a single defender (at most), I'll go all the way down. If the pass goes to the other side, I'll rotate over to get a look.

[bob jenkins]

It's not in the book (gasp!), but my pregame contained: If both officials are in the same 1/2 court, then T has the last shot. If the officials are not in the same 1/2 court, then the official in the same 1/2 court as the shot has the last shot.

So, if it's a short pass and a long shot, T has it. If it's a long pass and a short shot, L had it.

[Back In The Saddle]

Aside from the last second shot responsibilities, I think the best positioning is basic press coverage, but hedging strongly toward covering the "first play". With only two seconds remaining, there won't likely be a second one.

[Back In The Saddle]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

It's not in the book (gasp!), but my pregame contained: If both officials are in the same 1/2 court, then T has the last shot. If the officials are not in the same 1/2 court, then the official in the same 1/2 court as the shot has the last shot.

So, if it's a short pass and a long shot, T has it. If it's a long pass and a short shot, L had it.

I like this a lot, Bob. I hope you don't mind that I'm going to shamelessly pilfer it for my pregame.