2 person mechanics
8 seconds remaining score 53-50
after a timeout after a made basket
new offense down by 3
defense has just 5 team fouls

partner and I discuss responsibility for last shot
we did not discuss fouling

Defense in full court press
Offense has players spread from baseline to baseline

Inbounds pass in backcourt near midcourt
Defense reaches around and hacks in backcourt
nearest to midcourt line on Trail's side

Veteran lead official made call from near baseline and explained to rookie trail (who was still near spot of throw-in) that he should have "anticipated" better
and moved closer to make the call.

Who should be most responsible for this foul call?

The official that made the call is responsible.

bossref,
If I, Lead, am working with a rookie, or a vet, with a full court press, I am cheating toward, or I am already at, the division line to assist because I know my partner is locked out until the ball is released.

mick

I only have six years of experience but here is what I do.If they are that spread and knowing they are not going to go length I get about half court and close to the sideline and face the court.I should be in decent position for that sort of pass as the trail.That being said if the vet. is so wise why didn't he discuss position during the timeout.

Before anyone else catches it I meant Lead as mick said when he said what I said only better!

Lead official should have this call,IMO.In this type of situation,the lead should be positioned up around midcourt(just on the far side) for the start of the throw in.On a pass to midcourt,the lead now has a good view of the play,whether if it's on his side or across the floor.If a long pass is thrown,the lead just goes with the pass.It'll be in the air long enough for the lead to get back to get a good view of it coming down.If the throw in short(trail's endline to closest foul line),lead then starts moving backwards at about the same pace as the ball is moving up court.

Naturally,the trail will move up as soon as the ball is thrown in.He has to keep the end line covered until the ball is thrown in,though.Done this way,you should have most plays covered.

Shoot, Barry, you're the dinosaur in your association, aren't you? Were you the verteran lead? Did you get chewed on by someone on this? Were you an evaluator? What led to the question?

hard to admit to being a dinosaur
 

yes, I've been doing this since
for a very long time

yes I should have prepped the rookie
to move quickly into position
yes I should have been closer to midcourt
than the far endline

the question was prompted to hear different
opinions that could be shared as a
learning experience

I feel the board has accomplished this, thanks

Re: hard to admit to being a dinosaur
 

If after all your experience and study and ability, you can still get into a situation where you feel uncertain about what you did, I feel lots better. It's nice to know that I don't ever have to be perfect.