Running Backwards

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by bainsey

Hell, running backwards is encouraged in soccer! In fact, it's part of our physical test.

But, there are reasons why it's encouraged in one and not the other. In soccer, if you're 10-20 yards from the sideline, and the ball is coming toward you, you want your eyes on the field while your feet are moving in the necessary direction. In basketball, the space is 15 times smaller to cover, so backtracking just isn't necessary.

More than a few years ago, I volunteered for a Y girls' basketball game, so just to experiment, I thought I'd try backtracking, just to see what the big deal was all about. (I wasn't getting paid, so why not?) The experiment failed; it was one of my worst performances on the court.

Being a soccer guy, every once in a while I'll catch myself starting to run backwards since it comes naturally. Personally, I don't think it has anything to do with the space being covered. Frankly, your view running backwards is far superior to your view over your shoulder. Rather, I think it comes down to safety. The hazards to the official, primarily cheerleaders and people sitting in the front row, are too close for safety, which is not the case in football and soccer.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

.... Frankly, your view running backwards is far superior to your view over your shoulder. Rather, I think it comes down to safety. ...

It may be superior in that you see a larger field of vision which is what you need in soccer and football but it sure as heck doesn't give you a better 'look' at what you should be officiating on a baskeball court.

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

It may be superior in that you see a larger field of vision which is what you need in soccer and football but it sure as heck doesn't give you a better 'look' at what you should be officiating on a baskeball court.

I'm a little mystified here. I can see at best about 4 players while I'm looking over my shoulder while my partner has the ball and the primary defender. That means until I get to the endline and turn around, 4 and as many as 6 players are not being looked at. If I ran backwards, I would be able to cover all of the off-ball players.

So I have to ask, if not the off-ball players, what precisely should I be officiating when the ball isn't in my PCA?

[tref]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

I can see at best about 4 players while I'm looking over my shoulder while my partner has the ball and the primary defender. That means until I get to the endline and turn around, 4 and as many as 6 players are not being looked at. If I ran backwards, I would be able to cover all of the off-ball player

Primary responsibility of the trail official is to referee the on ball defender WHILE seeing as many of the other players as possible.

So many times I see unengaged dribblers bring the ball into the f/c & the trail is locked in on the dribble. It looks like, "if he violates I'm not going to miss it!!" T go find the next matchup! L get to the endline. If you have a C thats a bonus.

BTW, whats wrong the ol' sidestep method in regards to a more open look in transition?

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by tref

Primary responsibility of the trail official is to referee the on ball defender WHILE seeing as many of the other players as possible.

So many times I see unengaged dribblers bring the ball into the f/c & the trail is locked in on the dribble. It looks like, "if he violates I'm not going to miss it!!" T go find the next matchup! L get to the endline. If you have a C thats a bonus.

BTW, whats wrong the ol' sidestep method in regards to a more open look in transition?

Sure, but it's not an issue when there's no pressure. It's when the T has heavy pressure and can't pick up anyone else that you have both uncovered players and an incentive for off-ball fouls.

There's nothing wrong with sidesteping, imo. It's a much better view in transition than over the shoulder and I use it whenever I can.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying we should run backwards; I'm just saying it's for safety reasons, not officiating reasons we don't.

[Smitty]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

I'm a little mystified here. I can see at best about 4 players while I'm looking over my shoulder while my partner has the ball and the primary defender. That means until I get to the endline and turn around, 4 and as many as 6 players are not being looked at. If I ran backwards, I would be able to cover all of the off-ball players.

So I have to ask, if not the off-ball players, what precisely should I be officiating when the ball isn't in my PCA?

You have a partner - he is covering some of the players you are not. You can't possibly see all of the players no matter where you are looking. You have your primary and focus on the key matchups and catch what you can out of your peripheral. But you have to trust that your partner is also covering their primary.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

I'm a little mystified here. I can see at best about 4 players while I'm looking over my shoulder while my partner has the ball and the primary defender. That means until I get to the endline and turn around, 4 and as many as 6 players are not being looked at. If I ran backwards, I would be able to cover all of the off-ball players.

So I have to ask, if not the off-ball players, what precisely should I be officiating when the ball isn't in my PCA?

(Assuming 2-person)

If it is a fast break, the ball IS in your PCA, even if it is above the FT line....until the trail gets to the FC.

If it is not a fast break, you don't have all 8 off ball players , more like 5-6. Not much different than a half court set. There is no way you can cover the 8 players who are off ball, particularly in transition.

If they're trapping in the backcourt with more than 2 defenders, you shouldn't be running down the court anyway so looking over your shoulder is not necessary.

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

I'm a little mystified here. I can see at best about 4 players while I'm looking over my shoulder while my partner has the ball and the primary defender. That means until I get to the endline and turn around, 4 and as many as 6 players are not being looked at. If I ran backwards, I would be able to cover all of the off-ball players.

That's part of the reason I decided to experiment for that Y game. If I can see more in one sport, why can't I see more in another?

It still threw me off a bit for that game, and I'm sure I didn't look very solid backpedaling 40-50 feet. I figured, if you're going to try stuff like that, do it in a game that just doesn't matter. Aside from two or three back-steps here and there, I haven't done it since as the T or in transition.

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by bainsey

That's part of the reason I decided to experiment for that Y game. If I can see more in one sport, why can't I see more in another?

It still threw me off a bit for that game, and I'm sure I didn't look very solid backpedaling 40-50 feet. I figured, if you're going to try stuff like that, do it in a game that just doesn't matter. Aside from two or three back-steps here and there, I haven't done it since as the T or in transition.

I agree that it's not the right mechanic for basketball, but it has nothing to do with the view it gives.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

I agree that it's not the right mechanic for basketball, but it has nothing to do with the view it gives.

What exactly are you looking at while backing up? If there is so much going on behind you why don't you just stop and officiate the players? If you are on the sideline as the new lead and you are backing up how are you seeing in between players coming up the court? How are you covering the crash on the opposite sideline?

So you are telling me that if you are running backwards down the sidelines your view of the court is just as good? It would seem to me half of your peripheral would be emcompassed by the fans or benches. Or do you run backwards but turn your head 90 degrees towards the court?

[Eastshire]

First off, let me note again that I sidestep or look over my shoulder as the play dictates.

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

What exactly are you looking at while backing up?

The players.

If there is so much going on behind you why don't you just stop and officiate the players?

Because the players don't stop. If you stop, you'll have players closer to the endline than you who are your responsibility.

If you are on the sideline as the new lead and you are backing up how are you seeing in between players coming up the court? How are you covering the crash on the opposite sideline?

The same way as when looking over the shoulder except with primary vision instead of peripheral vision.

So you are telling me that if you are running backwards down the sidelines your view of the court is just as good?

Better.

It would seem to me half of your peripheral would be emcompassed by the fans or benches.

Only if for some reason you are staring straight down the sideline instead of looking on the court. Of course, when looking over the shoulder you are only using about a third of your visual field, so hey, half is an improvement.

Or do you run backwards but turn your head 90 degrees towards the court?

Why would you do that? You turn your head towards the court in the same manner as the T bringing the ball up from the backcourt.

[CMHCoachNRef]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

I agree that it's not the right mechanic for basketball, but it has nothing to do with the view it gives.

I, too, am a soccer guy. Easthire, I agree with just about every comment you have made in this thread.

I was at a basketball camp a couple years ago and they ask us to sprint up the court and back pedal back twice in each direction. I got my two trips before many got in one trip. Of course, the purpose of the activity was to show why back pedaling was a bad idea.

Truth is, you CLEARLY get a better view of the floor and your primary when backing up as opposed to looking over your shoulder. If you know you are beyond all players and have some sense as to where the wall is and where the cheerleaders are (basketball courts have numerous markings on them to make this task much easier), looking straight ahead provides a better field of view (court of view, if you prefer).

The ONLY reason in my mind to not back pedal in these situations is for safety reasons -- broken wrists are a pain!!! This presents a pretty compelling reason NOT to go backwards...

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by CMHCoachNRef

The ONLY reason in my mind to not back pedal in these situations is for safety reasons -- broken wrists are a pain!!! This presents a pretty compelling reason NOT to go backwards...

How would many like to be hospitalized for a concussion or some other head trauma when your head hits on a very hard floor. Not all floors are good wood floors either. As I said before I know a couple of people carried off the floor for hitting their head while losing their balance while moving backwards. Not all of us are young, very athletic or in great shape to fall properly and not get hurt.

Peace

[Adam]

Originally Posted by CMHCoachNRef

I, too, am a soccer guy. Easthire, I agree with just about every comment you have made in this thread.

I was at a basketball camp a couple years ago and they ask us to sprint up the court and back pedal back twice in each direction. I got my two trips before many got in one trip. Of course, the purpose of the activity was to show why back pedaling was a bad idea.

Truth is, you CLEARLY get a better view of the floor and your primary when backing up as opposed to looking over your shoulder. If you know you are beyond all players and have some sense as to where the wall is and where the cheerleaders are (basketball courts have numerous markings on them to make this task much easier), looking straight ahead provides a better field of view (court of view, if you prefer).

The ONLY reason in my mind to not back pedal in these situations is for safety reasons -- broken wrists are a pain!!! This presents a pretty compelling reason NOT to go backwards...

I don't work soccer, nor football, but for me the risks far outweigh any benefit to backpedaling. Last weekend, when I tripped, I wasn't backpedaling. If I had been, the damage would have been a lot worse (possibly a head injury). Instead of tripping and falling on my knee and wrist (my wrist is still sore), I wouldn't have seen him in the corner of my eye and had time to adjust.

Looking over my shoulder, I can see the players well enough to know if there's a matchup I need to stop to focus on.

If I find myself stopped at about the FT line, and know I'm the only one back, I might back up (in a walk) the rest of the way. But only rarely and I don't know why I do it. I notice I do it more in 3 man when there's a press with a BC throw in.

[JugglingReferee]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

It may be superior in that you see a larger field of vision which is what you need in soccer and football but it sure as heck doesn't give you a better 'look' at what you should be officiating on a baskeball court.

With all due respect, this is 100% not true for myself.

Yes, I've backpedalled in a basketball game, but not in years - possibly a decade or more. If it all of a sudden became "ok" in a basketball game, I would switch before the "ok" sentence was finished.