Mechanic Change
 

In two man, we here in Illinois have been instructed that on frontcourt (and staying in the frontcourt) throw-ins administered by the lead, the trail should mirror the clock chop.

Makes perfect sense to me...is this an NFHS mechanic change or just something in Illinois?

Nfhs

We just have to remember not to ball watch. We still have our off-ball primary to take care of.

Straight from the NFHS website
 

Summary – NFHS 2011-12 Basketball Changes Page No. 3 2011-13 MAJOR MECHANICS CHANGES
<TABLE dir=ltr border=1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=7 width=632><TBODY><TR><TD height=98 vAlign=top width="50%">2.2.2.C.6
New

</TD><TD height=98 vAlign=top width="50%">Crew of Two Only: The Trail will mirror the Lead’s stop-and start-clock (chop) signal to ensure proper court coverage.
Rationale: This is the three-person mechanic. Too many times in a crew of two it is hard for the timer to see the Lead start the clock. This was the rationale for three-person mechanics, so the same technique should be used for a crew of two. It is also good training for those transitioning from a crew of two to three.

</TD></TR><TR><TD height=47 vAlign=top width="50%">2.4.4.B.4 3.4.4.B.4

</TD><TD height=47 vAlign=top width="50%">A visible signal (point to the table) was added to indicate when the timer should start the clock on a time-out.
Rationale: Helps to provide consistent administration of time-out situations.

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

2011-13 MECHANICS POINTS OF EMPHASIS
1. Reporting Area
2. Proper Signaling
3. Substitutions
4. Game Awareness
5. Fight Situation Protocol

One of my assignors, who is also a state clinician and rule interpreter, said that it's OK if the trail's chop is after the lead's. We'll just have to live with that. So yeah, don't ball watch, but chop the clock when the ball is inbounded.

As trail the ball comes into our area almost 3/4 of the time anyway..(based on standard two person coverage. As lead it is just as or more difficult t watch ball go to top of key and chop in time while low post play is going on...

It is an easy mechanic

Agreed, and I've been chopping as the T in two-man since the mechanic came out in three-man.

At first it was good practice for the new mechanic, then it became habit.

+1