No clear look on fast break...

[Rich]

In 2-person, the toughest decision (IMO) is the fast break where the contact occurs from the trail's side. As the L, you either have to get there early and get position or curl in from behind and do the best you can.

As the T, you have to bust up and help out the best you can. I've made a lot of calls in transition as the trail when the contact is from my side.

The worst thing you can do as the lead is guess. The benches may have a better view than you -- it's easier to sell a no-call than to sell a phantom foul that clearly didn't happen.

[zeedonk]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

In 2-person, the toughest decision (IMO) is the fast break where the contact occurs from the trail's side.

This is exactly the situation I'm talking about. The general consensus seems to be don't call it if you don't see it, and I'm good with that. I'd like to be in better position, but despite best efforts, it doesn't always happen and I do wind up slowing down to get a better look... I find that works very well, although it may not look so good to the coaches and mommies and daddies. If that's all, I'm not too concerned about those viewpoints.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by zeedonk

This is exactly the situation I'm talking about. The general consensus seems to be don't call it if you don't see it, and I'm good with that. I'd like to be in better position, but despite best efforts, it doesn't always happen and I do wind up slowing down to get a better look... I find that works very well, although it may not look so good to the coaches and mommies and daddies. If that's all, I'm not too concerned about those viewpoints.

If you can't get to the baseline and pinch the paint to get a view of the contact, you should let the players pass you and hook around to call it from behind. This is, IMO, a situation where the attitude of "I can't get beat to the baseline" hurts officiating. I'd rather get beat and get a better view than get straightlined.

In 3-person, this is much easier. I'm not even trying to get backside contact -- that's the C's call all the way. With 2-person, the T may not be close enough to get a good view. I try my best to get there and help, but coming from the baseline, I may only get to the division line and it's hard to make a call from there on the dead run.

Like I always say: 2-person sucks.

[Crabnut]

In two man, slow down just a bit and hook in behind if the following players give you the room, but also TRUST YOUR PARTNER. For sure, pre-game it, but trust your trail to be hustling in behind at the off angle, working to be sure he can see contact you are screened from. If you don't have it and your partner sees it, he will delay just long enough to avoid doubling you, and then put air in that black thingy between his lips. Yes, it's not three man, but your not alone out there either.

[Adam]

Also, even in two whistle, don't be afraid to cross over to ball side on this if you have time in transition (as lead).

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Crabnut

In two man, slow down just a bit and hook in behind if the following players give you the room, but also TRUST YOUR PARTNER. For sure, pre-game it, but trust your trail to be hustling in behind at the off angle, working to be sure he can see contact you are screened from. If you don't have it and your partner sees it, he will delay just long enough to avoid doubling you, and then put air in that black thingy between his lips. Yes, it's not three man, but your not alone out there either.

Agreed. But in transition (especially after a quick steal up top), it's hard for the T to get any reasonable distance -- and he may have to work around players who are lagging behind as well.

[BillyMac]

I've been told by veteran officials, "If there's a train wreck, call something".

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

I've been told by veteran officials, "If there's a train wreck, call something".

And I hate this, because sometimes the train wreck looks bad but there's nothing to call. Sometimes kids trip over their teammates.