Questions from a coach

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by ttt

I'm a head coach who attempts to have some knowledge of the NFHS rulebook and have some, but limited knowledge about coverage areas. Two questions from a game yesterday. A referee put an offensive player at the line based on "continuation." The ref told me that it was "absolutly in the rulebook." I didn't think that that rule was in effect for high school. Looking for some clairity because I don't have my rulebook handy.

There is "continuation" in the book. Although, it's not like the NBE's (aka NBA) version of continuation (which you may have some knowledge from watching NBE games).

When a player with the ball starts his habitual motion of trying for goal, and then is fouled, he is permitted to continue that action so long as it remains legal. So, ultimately, it is a judgment call, although I have found that most call is quite consistently. Note that the location of the player with the ball is of no significance. He could be "on the floor," or "airborne".

Originally Posted by ttt

Another question I have is about coverage area. My team was applying full court pressure, had a trap right on the baseline and the ref that was across half court (lead official?) made the call. I understand that a call should be made if it is seen but doesn't that make your partner look bad if he was close to the play? I umpire collegiate level baseball games in the spring and understand what calls should be made by each umpire and how it can hang your partner out to dry just looking to see how those in the basketball world see it.

Yes, that is the Lead official. I have found that baseball very much has a "don't fish in my pond" philosophy, but that comes from watching MLB games.

When making long distance calls, I often use the philosophy that if I see something that my partner missed, and it makes me say (in my head) "Oh my", then I pass.

But if I say "Oh my God!", then I very quickly and seriously think about making the call. Each official does have "primary" areas of responsibility, but ultimately both are responsible for the whole court.

In a press situation with the ball near the endline, a good Lead official will still be many feet away from the division line, so they actually wouldn't be that far from the play, and if the play is near the Lead's sideline, could actually be as close as the Trail official.

Usually LD calls are for more experienced officials, so it's reasonable to think that they got the call right.