My first year was 1987. It was the first season of the 3-point line in my state at the time (Pennsylvania). We still had the lack of action, Cadillac mechanics (that survived till the early-to-mid 90s, I think), and Byron collar shirts as well as many officials in belted pants. We also did that funny little count where we flicked our wrists from the waist level instead of swinging our arms as we do now.

Ah, sweet memories. :D

MTD, Sr.

What are "Cadillac mechanics"?

And I forgot the fist straight up to the sky with the requisite delayed bird-dog at the waist.

And also coming in as the trail to administer ALL free throws even though the lead had to come in to announce how many throws were left.

And also the early days of 3-person where the C was always opposite the table and the L would have to swing around if he came ballside (to the C's side).

I'm sure we could go on....

The trail and the lead were always on the "left" side of the court (from their perspective boxing in the play). If you had to "work opposite" because of a throw-in, you'd switch over sides of the court during live ball play at the first opportunity.

Truly baffling that we did that as if we couldn't work the court on the "right" side as well as the "left" side. But we did it for YEARS.

Our association still requires bird-dog on all but player control fouls. :rolleyes:

"The Standard Of Excellence"
 

RichMSN: Nice description.

The trail forced the switch to the very comfortable Cadillac position. I had partners who absolutely hated working opposite. As the trail they would actually run over to the "left" side of the court as soon as possible.

http://thm-a01.yimg.com/nimage/8bc39966bb90b6b2

So was the cadillac position what we would now call the "c"?

If the Lead and Trail tried to always stay on the "left" of the play, would that leave their partner in the cadillac for relatively long periods of time?

It was a two-whistle mechanic that left each partner looking to their right at the players.

...and the "thinking" behind it was that players, being more right handed than left handed, were more likely to drive down the right side of the lane. The "Cadillac" position always put the lead on that side...ready to observe that play.

I May Be Left Handed, But I'm Always Right ...
 

So that's why I seldom got free throws. I'm left handed.

Here in NC we're still required to bird dog. Ugh!