Peer Critique Requested - "Mechanics"

[Hartsy]

Originally Posted by Freddy

I'm looking to verify the validity of or improve upon this piece of advice customarily given to new officials regarding the importance of "mechanics", specifically court positioning/PCA awareness.

Please comment as inclined.

"The reason for mechanics, whether with the two- or three-person system, is so that you are:
...in the right place,
...at the right time,
...observing the right thing,
in order to
...make the right call (which might be a no-call)"

Your seasoned thoughts and critique is appreciated in advance.

Is something missing? I can't see anything here remotely controversial. All this seems to say to me is that we need to use designated mechanics to cover the game properly.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Hartsy

Is something missing? I can't see anything here remotely controversial. All this seems to say to me is that we need to use designated mechanics to cover the game properly.

Sounds to me (especially when combined with the other thread) like he's writing something to be read or presented, and he's looking for our input.

Fred - if you're limiting this topic to positioning, then don't call the topic Mechanics - call it positioning ... your fellow officials are correct that "Mechanics" includes both positioning and signals/communication.

I would add that proper positioning is important to ensure that you and your partner are covering as much of the court as possible with as little overlap as possible.

[BigT]

For me the last few months since camp season is this. I think we miss plays because we can not anticipate and see between players to know if illegal contact has happened. When I am watching my PCA I try to anticipate and move to a position to make a call. It helps me move it helps be get more calls right. If a more experienced official could state more it would be helpful to me.

[Freddy]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Sounds to me (especially when combined with the other thread) like he's writing something to be read or presented, and he's looking for our input.

Fred - if you're limiting this topic to positioning, then don't call the topic Mechanics - call it positioning ... your fellow officials are correct that "Mechanics" includes both positioning and signals/communication.

I would add that proper positioning is important to ensure that you and your partner are covering as much of the court as possible with as little overlap as possible.

That is a very helpful suggestion. I see the issue you're solving for me. I'll refer to it as "positioning" rather than "mechanics" from now on. There is a
I like the concise way you expressed your last thought, too.
Thanx!