Positioning on Technical Foul Free Throws
 

I have lent my official's manual to a fellow official and cannot look this up (otherwise I would have).

Can somebody please post where the calling official should be positioned while technical foul free throws are administered? I called a T during a game last week and went to table side trail, and my partner moved me to the division line opposite the table during the free throws.

I was under the impression we were to go to our normal positions while administering technical foul free throws. Is this not correct?

This is for NFHS mechanics. Thanks.

I know of no mechanic that makes this different than any other free throw from this perspective.

The Official's manual states: Following a technical foul free throw, the Center will administer the throw-in at the division line opposite the table becoming new trail.

This leads me to believe the administration of the free throws would be just as any other free throw.

For a futher clarification, I am seeking the answer for two person mechanics however it seems my partner was probably making this up.

Did he move all the players behind the division line, too?

You stay in your normal positions. I guess if the T has some emotion to it, the Trail can back up a little bit, but there is not much need for that if you ask me. The players can stand in the same places as well as any other FT but they cannot be on the line.

Peace

Part of it depends on the reason for the T. If it was "contentious" then you might want to move to opposite the table anyway.

Plus, if you're table side, then either you or both of you will have to move to administer the throw-in, so you might as well be opposite to begin with (unless you need / want to talk to the coach).

No...but before the game when I asked him what he wanted to pre-game, he responded with "You know in all my years I've never had an actual pre-game."

He also called 3 seconds from trail...on a 7th grade girls game...when both teams were sitting in the paint.

Bob, that makes sense completely. This was only an administrative T so I'm not sure if that was his reasoning or not. I'll be sure to ask him the next time I see him.

From this year's NFHS Official's Manual (which is available online along with the rules and case books):

G. Technical/Intentional/Flagrant Fouls:
1. The official who calls the foul reports it and becomes the table side Trail for free throws, except as in 2.4.2.E.2. (2.4.2.G.1)

E. Switching:
...
2. For shooting fouls, the calling official reports the foul to table, then remains table side at Trail. The calling official has the option of going to Lead (opposite table) to avoid a confrontational situation with coach/bench, i.e. after a technical foul or disqualifying foul. The practice should rarely be used and should be discussed thoroughly in the pregame conference. (2.4.2.E.2)

Just curious....what's wrong with calling 3 seconds from trail?

I thought about that more and it has been also pointed out to me that would be correct. I was under the mistaken understanding that call always belonged to the lead. Whoops. :o

Where? Can you post a link?

NFHS | National Federation of State High School Associations

There is a link on the right hand side of the home page titled "Publications Library". Follow that link.

However, in order to access the files you must be a member of the NFHS officials association. Many states provide this membership along with your state membership.