At least around here, yes, even in the backcourt the lead has that line. To make it easier, you have whichever side you are on for the entire length of the court, then the endline is also the lead's. OOB situations are just one of many compromises that you have to make in the 2 man system. Don't beat yourself up about it, you can't see through the players. :)

Like you said, a fast break often has the lead concentrating on beating the play. In fact, even with a 3 man crew, this type of play still needs the lead's help. If the new trail only sees the backs of the players, it's difficult to rule who caused the ball to go out of bounds. I always try to pre-game this with my partners.

No sweat. I think we all agree that, once the call was made, just inbound it and move on. If it's the only call you missed, you still had a heck of a game.

That's a problem - your partner's. He needs to look over his shoulder when running down the court.

This is one of the biggest reasons the new lead shouldn't just turn and run in transition; especially in 2-whistle.

It's also why I have a hard time letting go of that sideline when going from 2 to 3 whistle.

Thanks for all the pointers guys. It's these little tweaks that really make the difference between a good official and an excellent one. I think I am good, but I want to be excellent.

Appreciate the feedback.

Take-away: In the future, maybe don't even signal at all until I confer, that was I don't have to reverse anything, should I decide my initial view was

A) Wrong, give the ball to white, or
B) Still not sure, go to the arrow.

I’ve run into this as well, and like other have said when transitioning to the new lead don’t forsake all just to beat the fast break. In this situation where the ball is on your side line and you are lead, stay with the play a bit along the side line (10 feet in front of or so, while trying to maintain some sort of angle).

Not only will it help you with OOB, but fouling action as well. Of course, if the dribbler breaks free, then you have to really hustle to beat the break, or button hook if you can’t make it.

Next time, as you said, blow your whistle only if your partner fails to, since it was his line, and then conference with him. If he has no clue, you really need to go with the AP unless you're absolutely certain who touched it last.

I want to hit on what I see as the major issue here: Am I missing a major mechanics point? If ball goes oob table side in BC during fast break w/ me on the opposite side of the floor, how on earth is that my line? Is it really? I'm not being smart aleck, I seriously have never read that, heard that, or been taught that. If I am missing something please let me know!

It also brings up my biggest reason for never, ever doing two man again. I am in good enough shape to beat the kids down the floor in two man, but I ABSOLUTELY HATE having to run on the fast break and look back over my shoulder instead of looking where I am running. All our schools here V is 3 man. Except one cheapo school. I go there for a two man game and have this same fast break situation. I am table side ball coming up my line fast and under pressure keeping me right on the sideline instead of on the court. Next thing I know, I am looking at the ceiling. My knee collided with the forehead of a very stout two year old girl and I landed in an awkward pile on the floor. Game management in this place did nothing to keep fans from walking down that sideline in front of the benches. Somehow, we both wound up okay. It could have been a career ender for me. No more two man. O, and the ball went oob on my line. I think it went off of home, but not sure since I am now looking at the ceiling. I give it to V. Home coach goes nuts. I tell him keep your fans out of the way or don't talk to me about who's ball it is. :)

This is something Referee proposed (proposes?) as an alternate mechanic -- give the official the line based on whose primary it is. The argument is that, especially in the front court above the FT line extended, the lead is not even looking there (cause it's not their primary). Interesting, but I've pretty much dismissed that thinking -- how can a trail call a ball that slowly approaches the sideline and may or may not have touched OOB on the other side of the court?

The Lead should have been looking back over his shoulder. Even if he didn't know who caused the ball to go OOB, he should have had a whistle then asked you for help. Personally I would not expect him to know who it went out on but I would expect him to have a whistle to stop play.

For ease of reading I suggest using different terms, like Team B/Team A, A1/B2, W2,B2 (for color) instead of home team/visiting team. Also the changes noted above in your quoted text. Just a suggestion.

What would be the correct signal when going with the arrow? Would you just signal the direction in which the arrow is pointing or would you give an explanation?

The Jump-Ball signal would (to me) look ridiculous and incorrect in this scenerio

Thanks

After confirming your partner(s) can't help, a quick two-thumbs up toward the table to let them and the coaches know you're going w/ A/P is appropriate. No need, IMO, to make a show out of it.

Bottom line, though, is that 99% of the time on an OOB call I'm going to make a call with the information I have available.

I think you're going to have to get used to looking (to you) ridiculous and incorrect.

I was just thinking that since you wouldnt have a jump ball there was no need to give the signal.

How else is the table and anyone else in the gym going to know you're going with an alternating possession throw-in?