Single Person Mech
 

I had to do half of a sophmore game like that last winter (partner caught in snow traffic). I never felt I had any kind of good position. Kids/coaches/fans were all great about it though.

I have a summer league that is supposed to be for fun. Again, single person ref. Any suggestions on how best to cover the court? FT to FT? Ever go end-line?

Starting top of key to top of key and then moving down as necessary works well. In many cases, this would mean getting to the foul line. Here's a one person mechanics guide from Kansas. I disagree with their suggestion to administer both free throws from the end line. I suggest administering the second from the free throw lane extended to get a a head start on transition.

I had the misfortune of solo officiating a competitive men's league game. The rough physical post play demanded going to the end line to clean it up. This just makes the general point that you got to go where you need to be.

Try These
 

From Our Good Friend BillyMac....

http://forum.officiating.com/basketb...mechanics.html

If not taken directly there, start at the first post.

Easy reply: Don't do it.

I would never work a scheduled 1-person game.

Absolutely
 

I've done it "scheduled" for 7/8 yr olds, but really anything above that I agree!

It's bad enough when you are "forced into it" because of "issues" out of your control. But, I too would never volunteer.

Agreed.

Doing 1-man is tolerable in extreme situations (partner running late, partner injured, etc), but I'd never intentionally accept games knowing it's a 1-man deal.....unless it involved BIG MONEY. Double game fee would be a great start. :D

I live in a state where any HS level game requires 2 officials to start. Thank goodness.

I had to work a tournament for a student organization last fall, and they surprised me with the "joy" of being a one man crew. To make matters worse, I also had to keep time on a cheap stop watch that didn't work correctly. I also had to spend much of the first game explaining the bonus situation to the score keepers.

All that being said, I think working around the 3 point arc is your best bet. And I would definitely take the advice of venturing below the FT line to officiate the post. It gets very tough to see fouls and endline out-of-bounds calls from near the top of the key.

I would prefer not to do it. But I would if the pay was higher and it is a summer league, I would do it without a problem. And I do not follow any prescribed mechanics that someone else set guidelines for. I go where I need to go to see a play. And it is a great workout.

Peace