2-Man Mechanics

[k-blue]

Have a question about 2-man mechanics.

There is an official in our association that insist that we are using the wrong mechanics. He claims that in two person crews, the lead should, rotate to ball side, and the trail steps toward the middle of the floor, working weak side, low post play.

States that these rotations are designed to eliminate the lead official from calling plays from across the lane lines.

I have watched him work and most of the time when he is the "Trail", he is standing in the middle of the court. When the "Lead", he is rotating back and forth, and often is on the same side of the court as his partner.

Is this a mechanic that is being used in HS BB with 2-man?

K-Blue

[Rich]

Originally Posted by k-blue

Have a question about 2-man mechanics.

There is an official in our association that insist that we are using the wrong mechanics. He claims that in two person crews, the lead should, rotate to ball side, and the trail steps toward the middle of the floor, working weak side, low post play.

States that these rotations are designed to eliminate the lead official from calling plays from across the lane lines.

I have watched him work and most of the time when he is the "Trail", he is standing in the middle of the court. When the "Lead", he is rotating back and forth, and often is on the same side of the court as his partner.

Is this a mechanic that is being used in HS BB with 2-man?

K-Blue

Going ball-side, IMO, is an important part of making 2-person officiating as good as it can be. Some regions frown on it, though.

[tref]

IMO, if they want the L strong-side on plays, hire a frickin 3rd! IJS

[Rich]

Originally Posted by tref

IMO, if they want the L strong-side on plays, hire a frickin 3rd! IJS

It's not what anyone wants -- it's about me as an official being in the best position to make calls. I'm either going to have to grab calls across the lane or go over there and have a better look. I'll go over when I can. I'll grab calls across the lane when I have to.

[tref]

I understand that fact, Rich. Just my feelings on the L rotating in the 2 person game. Thank God I dont have to do too many of those, because I'm not going or calling across the paint! The T better step down & stay connected!

[Rich]

Originally Posted by tref

I understand that fact, Rich. Just my feelings on the L rotating in the 2 person game. Thank God I dont have to do too many of those, because I'm not going or calling across the paint! The T better step down & stay connected!

It's not that simple, IMO. There are fouls deep on the trail's side where the T just has a horrible look -- for example a drive on the endline where the foul occurs from the backside (between the shooter and the endline).

The lead simply has to pick up play across the lane in 2-person or the T is going to have to do a lot of guessing. Neither is ideal, but the L is in better position to make a lot of those calls/no-calls on shooting fouls near the endline.

I'm an active trail (at least I think so) and I'm thrilled when a lead picks up some of those.

[PG_Ref]

According to the NFHS official's manual, 2.3.3, the lead should move ball side (if permissable) when the ball and most of the players are below the free throw line extended on the trail's side. The lead just has to be ready to make a quick dash, if necessary, to cover his/her sideline.

[tref]

In the IAABO manual it says the L officials may apply the A, B, C technique. We all know the difference between "may" & "shall" in the book.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by tref

In the IAABO manual it says the L officials may apply the A, B, C technique. We all know the difference between "may" & "shall" in the book.

The thing is, a lot of two-man games are done at levels that just don't need three. I'm not going to do a lesser game (and failing to cross over is just that, IMO) in order to press for a third official for the JVG games that really don't need them.

Even if I was doing a varsity game, I'd rather do my best to get the best angles and views than dump it for, essentially, political reasons.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

The thing is, a lot of two-man games are done at levels that just don't need three. I'm not going to do a lesser game (and failing to cross over is just that, IMO) in order to press for a third official for the JVG games that really don't need them.

Even if I was doing a varsity game, I'd rather do my best to get the best angles and views than dump it for, essentially, political reasons.

And it's the slower games (JVG, for example) where it's easier to cross-over. The game just isn't as quick. When I filled in for an injured official on a JVG game a few weeks ago, I crossed over at least 5-6 times in the quarter I worked.

On a BV game, however, I'm lucky to find the time (timing) to get over 6 times a game. You pick your spots. Certainly, I'd rather have 3 officials. I'd also like to win the Powerball.

[tref]

Originally Posted by Snaqwells

The thing is, a lot of two-man games are done at levels that just don't need three. I'm not going to do a lesser game (and failing to cross over is just that, IMO) in order to press for a third official for the JVG games that really don't need them.

Even if I was doing a varsity game, I'd rather do my best to get the best angles and views than dump it for, essentially, political reasons.

I neither work JVG nor was I speaking on anything at that level...

You lucky guys/gals down there have all of your V scheduled as 3 whistle, no?

Man, one of our big leagues containing 5A SUBURBAN schools went 2 person this year (economy). Those have been some of the toughest games that I've ever worked!!
If the City Public School league (which has had money problems way before the recent economy situation) can afford 3 then GD those rich schools with BMWs & Mercedes parked EVERYWHERE should be able to as well!

I've found a solution to the problem though, I will obtain the names of each school that plan to run 2s next year & simply block them in the Arbiter.
"Yeah, I have a cousin that attends that school, boss... YUP that school too... YES, that one as well"

[BillyMac]

Originally Posted by tref

In the IAABO manual it says the L officials may apply the A, B, C technique. We all know the difference between "may" & "shall" in the book.

That's correct. It's an option, that should probably be pregamed. And it's a true rotation with the trail moving across the basketline when the lead comes ballside.

At least that's what it says in the manual. In reality, around these parts, nobody uses this option. Never. When the lead comes ball side to help out with post players, it's just for that one play, and it's his responsibility to eventually hustle back to the weak side.

[Adam]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

That's corect. It's an option, that should probably be pregamed. And it's a true rotation with the trail moving across the basketline when the lead comes ballside.

At least that's what it says in the manual. In reality, around these parts, nobody uses this option. Never. When the lead comes ball side to help out with post players, it's just for that one play, and it's his responsibility to eventually hustle back to the weak side.

Page 24 of the mechanics manual. It says nothing about the trail moving over.

Now, I thought I recalled a mechanic that talked about the Trail initiating a full switch with a trap up high on the lead's side; but I can't find it.

[tref]

Originally Posted by BillyMac

That's correct. It's an option, that should probably be pregamed.

I will NOT be going strong side tonight!

I actually saw this sitch happen in a 5A boys game:
T opposite table & the L goes strong side, the ball shoots OOB in the corner (side/endline corner) tableside. L asks T for help... T looks at L like "are you kidding me, I'm 80+ feet away from this play." A/P arrow!
Of course it goes OOB in front of the defensive teams bench, who just happened to be down by 20+... not a good look! Pay the 3rd, football has 5.

[wfd21]

This is a common practice here and we pregame it. Some times we also start from this position on a front court endline throw in. It must be pregamed with partner and it's use must be disaplined when using this court coverage. Also along these same lines is the coverage when trail comes accross basket line to cover a trap on leads side above the freethrow line extended. I like to have the lead cover the OOB line all the way up and the trail take any foul call.