I also would prefer not to. However, even in 3-whistle, if I have opponents in the backcourt below the FT line extended, I will position myself at midcourt as Trail.

If you advocate having the T (or C in 3 person) standing on the sideline squared up, how can you make anyone believe that you are able to see the players on the opposite lane line that are your responsibility. They can't enter the lane until the ball touches iron. By placing yourself that far over, you are putting yourself in a straight line situation.
Cheating toward the backcourt places you even farther away from the action. On all shots, the outside official should be stepping toward the baseline where the shot is going up. Bailing out to worry about the other end will just leave your partner hung out to dry.
There are always decisions that have to be made in every game. You must determine which area you are willing to compromise coverage for in order for that individual game to be best officiated.

Hmmmm, "how can you make anyone believe. . .?" I'm not trying to make anyone believe anything. Just throwing out some stuff that has worked for me.

Why would you not believe that the official can see the opposite lane line from the sideline? I just don't understand what your objection is here. The only problem you might have is if you stood on the sideline at the foul line extended. Then maybe you have a hard time seeing the low block on the opposite lane line. But the new alignment will help b/c you won't have anybody in the top lane space.

Also, there's no requirement that the official stand right at the foul line extended. If you watch 3-whistle college games, the C official is usually at the top of the FT circle, then steps down when the FT is released. The T in a 2-whistle game can do the same thing. I don't see anything wrong with this.

What action? We're talking about observing players while the FT shooter still has the ball. All you need to see is if somebody steps in early. If an official can't see that from the top of the FT circle, then he has bigger problems than worrying about positioning.

The only action during a FT is most likely to take place behind the FT shooter. Everybody on the lane has to stay in a spot, but the players off the lane can jockey for position or wander wherever they want. You better know where they are and what they're doing. If you have to take two steps toward midcourt to do it, then that's what I'd suggest you do.

You'll get closer to the "action" on the rebound anyway, b/c. . .


We're in total agreement here. If the official starts out at the top of the FT circle, then when s/he steps to the baseline, s/he will end up right at the FT line extended, which is perfect position to observe weak-side rebounding.

I think you've misunderstood what I meant to say in my last post. I didn't advocate "bailing out". I never said, "run to the backcourt while the FT is in the air". All I said was that the Trail official (whether in 2-whistle or 3-whistle) could cheat a couple of steps toward midcourt if there are opponents near the opposite basket.

So which would you rather miss: a guy who steps into the FT lane a half second too early, or a foul on the shooter during a fast break? Me, I'm going to cheat a couple steps (NOT bail out) to get a better look at those two guys in case of a quick long pass.

The bottom line for me is this: I cannot leave opponents unattended behind me, period. If that means I have to sacrifice a bit of FT coverage, so be it.

If that's not "believable" to you, that's fine too ;)

Chuck

[Edited by ChuckElias on Jun 30th, 2003 at 12:34 PM]

Chuck,

If you are saying that the T be about head of the circle high, I do not have any problem with that at all. I was envisioning you having the T much higher than that.

Hear hear!!

Seeing that the lane can be fully covered by two officials, if I'm T in a 3-man game and there are opponents in the BC, I might go as far back as the halfcourt line (of course, our IM courts are somewhat short - it's not too far back) - you can still watch the lane while keeping an eye on the BC and the table.

In a normal situation, the T should start out at the top of the FT circle. If there are opponents in the backcourt, the T may want to take a step or two toward midcourt (this leaves him/her around the 28' mark, as Kelvin recommended). If there are opponents below the far FT line extended, I have no problem with the T being at midcourt.

Bottom line is get to where you need to be to officiate the play.

Chuck