The seatbelt

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

How do you even know about these?

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.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

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.

MTD, Sr.

[ref2coach]

What are "Cadillac mechanics"?

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

Ah, sweet memories.

MTD, Sr.

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....

[Rich]

Originally Posted by ref2coach

What are "Cadillac mechanics"?

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.

[ref2coach]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

Ah, sweet memories.

MTD, Sr.

Originally Posted by RichMSN

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

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

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

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.

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.

[ref2coach]

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?

[Adam]

Originally Posted by ref2coach

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.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

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.

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

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.

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

[Anchor]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

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

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