You got 4 other eyes watching the players.

At one point in time, this was a taught mechanic in Central Ohio. But, years ago, this mechanic was dropped. The problem here is that if you have NO IDEA where the ball is, you can miss a steal in the backcourt thereby leaving your partners without a third until you recover. You can also miss a long pass -- along YOUR LINE -- because you are just running. Always look over your shoulder as you sprint up the court.

Doh!
 

Last year about this time I went to observe at a Christmas tournament. One play stands out vividly in my mind. The new L was sprinting downcourt, unaware of the play developing behind him and -- GONK -- he gets hit in the back of the head :eek: by an attempted fast-break pass.
Didn't look real good. :o

And the whole point of 3 whistles is to have 6 eyes watching the players. If there's pressure in the BC, those four eyes are watching the pressure.

If there's a breakaway layup about to happen, you've got on-ball coverage. I've been dinged specifically for not turning around and looking.

Again, as Bob said, if that's how you're taught, then do it. Most of us, however, have been taught differently.

Exactly. It is a BIG no-no here to turn your back on the court when you're the new Lead during transition, whether it's 2 or 3-man.

While you've been "dinged" for not turning around, I've been "dinged" for turning around and looking. I've been told this way, even though I don't agree with it just as you guys are apparently saying, but it is just how it is around here. I don't agree with it strongly, I think I should be looking back, but around here the idea is that turning around slows you down a little, and in games (especially boys) where the players are extremely fast, you need to be under the basket when something could be going down under there.

So I guess this isn't a definite procedure, but this is what I'm teaching rookie 3-man officials when they ask me to "tutor" them.

And you are still expected to keep your head turned and watch as you run down court in the 6 states I've worked.

On an 84-foot court how hard is it to go from T to L, anyway? Why would you need to "put your head down and sprint" anywhere?

You may have said this before -- but where is "here?"

Wow. I am shocked that you are tutoring anyone with your clear lack of rules knowledge displayed in this forum.

Yeah, but....he "represents." :p

Interesting discussion regarding transitioning from T to L. I actually think the "turn and get down the court" advice is good - but do so while officiating your primary.

One of the things that's hard to do when moving from 2-man to 3-man is the realization that once rebounding action is over, as T to L there's nothing for you to officiate at the point of the rebound. It's also technically true in 2-man, but a rebound in your primary across the court from L is something I often want to watch for an extra second or two.

In 3-man, as soon as the 'defense' has secured the ball, I'm turning and going to beat all players to the other end. But, I do so while looking over my shoulder and making sure I know what's happening. I need to officiate players who are transitioning down the court, and I need to know where the action is developing in a quick transition in order to be best positioned.

I've never been told in camp or otherwise to turn and run and not look back. I have been told in camp that I was waiting to long to turn and run while still officiating.

I have a better voice than Bono. :D

It seems like another issue with turning and running down to new L is if the other team goes into a full court press.

I believe that the L should not be at baseline (endline) while a full court press is underway and the players primarily in the backcourt.

In my most recent clinic(s) I've been told to get my butt down there - the press is to be handled by T and C

Not if all ten players are in the backcourt. I think the L should be as deep as the deepest players. Let the players dictate where you go.