Mechanics subtle question

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by refnuts

You are the C. A1 passes to A2 foul line extended close to the sideline.
You are straigt-lined with A2 and defender B2.

Do you step down towards the end line so that you can see between the players ? (you may be staightlined again if A1 drives toward the basket)

Do you step away from the end line so that you can see between the players? (you may be straightlined again if A1 drives toward the middle of the floor)

Personally, I don't feel you have provided me with enough information to answer the question. You have not really stated where ANY of the other players are.

If ALL other players are on the other side of the floor -- team was running some sort of overload and kicked the ball back to the weakside (A2) who is alone -- I am going to move to wherever I feel that I can MAINTAIN an angle to see the play. I am NOT going to count on the Lead to come over to my side of the floor since it is very possible that the ball may be skipped back to the opposite side (where EIGHT players are). I should be able to referee a 1v1 situation from the Center position.

On the other hand, if players A3 and B3 are on the ballside block, I am typically going to expect the Lead to move to my side of the floor. In this case, I am going to go a bit higher to get a good angle.

Much of this is also dependent on who your Lead is. Does this particular Lead tend to move to ballside quickly or do they like to "settle in" (I am not going to discuss the merits/problems of this technique, but many of the more senior referees have a habit of doing this)? This, too, alter the position you are going to move to in this situation.

As Bob indicated, once you get a feel for the offensive team's tendencies (and your partners' tendencies!!!), you can increase the likelihood that you will be moving to the position most likely to put you in the best position to referee the play.