Endline Postioning By Lead
 

Quick Question:

Does the Lead move along the endline with the movement of the ball?

Is the Lead supposed to be on the strong side(ball side)at all times?

Thanks!

Yes, it's called mirroring the ball. Obviously you don't want to leave an engaged matchup just to mirror the ball, but generally you'll "yo yo" in and out (from the near lane line extended to the three point line) with the ball.

Yes, if the ball and most of the players, especially the post players are across the paint from you, then you ought to get over "ball side". They don't do this everywhere, so ask around to see if it's done in your area. And if you're inclined to go ball side as L, pre-game this with your partner. Talk about whether you're going to take the ball when you come across, or just take the post. Talk about how the crew will cover your sideline while you're ball side.

An Even Quicker Question ???
 

Two person or three person? (Or one person?)

Good question. I assumed (and you know what happens when one assumes) two person.

Felix Knows ...
 

Sorry..Yes 2 man crew

yes


no

You have a sideline to cover. At all costs, be in a position to make a call there when necessary.

Are ball-side mechanics not used in your area for two-whistle mechanics?

Here, we are encouraged to go ball-side when the situation dictates.

Does it dictate to be on the strong side at all times?

I took your "at all costs" comment to mean avoid using it at all costs.

What I meant was, if you do go ball side, you must be prepared to get back to your sideline in time to make a call there.

Or the Trail can make sure not to come down too deep and gets a big picture to watch the weak side.

In your area does the Lead routinely make calls across the paint?

I wouldn't say routinely, but it happens on occasion.

How many times a game would "on occasion" be?

Not something I keep track of.

I was thinking more like a few times a year.

We're sure don't do that here. We would close down to the FT lane line on the L's side but rarely would we go across.

We do here, but we have to be prepared to "hustle" back if the ball squirts behind us. The rule of thumb here is if you'd go in three, you should go in two.

Disagree with "at all costs" here. If that were the case, you'd never cross over at all. Simply by crossing over, you're exposing the sideline to weird stuff happening.

As a wise official told me once, with two-whistle, it's about sacrifice. You have to give up something (a 1% play) to get something (a good view on 80% of the plays).

Very much different in the Buckeye State. Much more similar to NC. In 2-man, the lead virtually always stays "home" his/her side of the floor. The exception is if there are NO PLAYERS on the lead's side of the floor, they lead can cross the lane to get a better view. If there are players (more than one as a single player can't cause a whole lot of trouble on his/her own), on the lead side, they stay home on their side of the floor. This is particularly true if either of the players is close to the sideline -- as this sideline is the lead's responsibility. Per the Officials Manual, there are times that the lead should, indeed, cross to the trail's side.

Until a couple years ago, the lead would NEVER cross the lane. Many to most of the experienced referees still referee that way. But, things are slowly changing.

this might be an exaggeration. I'd change that to anytime the ball settles into the post on the opposite side, you cross over.

IAABO Mechanics ...
 

To improve coverage, Lead may move to ballside. Lead shall not move to ballside during a try for goal or a drive to basket.

I'd say that if you wait until the ball settles in the post, you'll often be too late to do any good by crossing over. When I see the post forming before the ball is dumped into the post and with the ball on the opposite wing, I go. I want to be there when the ball gets there. From the far wing, it is not going to get skipped to the opposite post, particularly if there is no one there. A skip to the opposite wing can occur but that is not nearly as common nor is it likely to need immediate coverage.

From what I have been able to learn from experience, but mostly from talking to others, this mechanic is definitely a "by regional adoption" one. There are even variations within my state. The area where I officiated the past few years doesn't use it very much, but the area I'm going to be working in this season supposedly uses it much more.

Um, in some associations they do this in two man........so you no should be possibly, not always!

I totally agree. Two whistle is a game of trade-offs. And a wise official once told me, "If you have to choose between covering two potential plays, choose the play that will hurt you the most if you miss it."

An official once told me, if they want the L strong-side, tell 'em to stop being cheap & pay for the frickin 3rd!

I like the though process, but if your goal is to give the best possible game to the players, politics and union negotiations won't come into play. :D

Absolutely! But I was really told that during the pregame & I thought I was the R. :D

LOL. Wow.