To Reach or Not To Reach, that is the question...

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by zeedonk

OK, your responses are very helpful. I know that there are calls that need to be made regardless of your position- Perhaps my quandry is more that I'm entering my first year of 3 whistle games and all spring and summer I've been told that assignors/supervisors who watch me (and those coming up like me) are primarily looking to see if I stay in my area or if I'm following the ball and calling all over the place.

Once I can show that I can handle the 3 whistle mechanics, calling from the trail will be easier for me. As of now, I try not to call anything in the paint. I have called in the paint, but only after waiting to see if the L or C gets it first, then if I'm positive I saw something the others didn't.

Hell, I'm still working on recognizing what side of the rim the ball goes up on and not giving so many "and one's" as the kids get bigger and stronger.

Z

I cannot speak for what they teach in your area, but as someone that is instructed to teach in my state and help or run clinics for state certification/credit that is required for post season and licensing requirements, I can tell you I have never considered an official that called in the lane to be calling out of their area if the Trail or Center call something. And that "do not call out of your primary" philosophy has limits and always has. Because you do not get into your primary until you are fully in the half court and when the ball starts from an area, the official is expected to follow that ball into other areas going towards the basket. Now if you are making a lot of calls in someone's area and the ball is not in the lane, then that could be a problem. What you have described is very acceptable in most parts I have been exposed to. Then again that does not help you where you live.

Peace