Two-Person "Ball Side Mechanic" ? ? ?

[rsl]

Here in Utah we have a mason-dixon line. South of Provo, the southern utah associations swear by it. In the north, it is almost forbidden. One year I went to two clinics and got dinged on evaluations in the north for going ball side and in the south for NOT going ball side.

The biggest liability for going ball side is that a quick swing pass catches you out of position and it is impossible to cover the far line or mark a three in the corner. But, I will still cross over if I have two physical big men pushing on each other on the ball side.

[BigT]

Originally Posted by rsl

Here in Utah we have a mason-dixon line. South of Provo, the southern utah associations swear by it. In the north, it is almost forbidden. One year I went to two clinics and got dinged on evaluations in the north for going ball side and in the south for NOT going ball side.

The biggest liability for going ball side is that a quick swing pass catches you out of position and it is impossible to cover the far line or mark a three in the corner. But, I will still cross over if I have two physical big men pushing on each other on the ball side.

Isn't Utah going to allow this practice because of the changes this year by the NFHS?

[Kelvin green]

Originally Posted by rsl

Here in Utah we have a mason-dixon line. South of Provo, the southern utah associations swear by it. In the north, it is almost forbidden. One year I went to two clinics and got dinged on evaluations in the north for going ball side and in the south for NOT going ball side.

The biggest liability for going ball side is that a quick swing pass catches you out of position and it is impossible to cover the far line or mark a three in the corner. But, I will still cross over if I have two physical big men pushing on each other on the ball side.

I dont know... I think it depends on the game yournpartners and pregames. I use it in my games when necessary .. It is better to call a foul from thenstrong side from three feet away than from trail 30'feet away or across the paint.

There is a reason this is in the mechanics book and should be used as appropriate. In a gamemwith a lot of zone and skip passing it may not be appropriate but in a man to man matchup it will work better

[ref3808]

In MA the majority of our games are 2-man. (Three in the MIAA tournament)

I would say about 30% of our board use this mechanic. I like it and think the benefit of being ball side in for post play outweighs the risks of missing something on the "weak" side.

I always tell my partner in pregame that I am going to use this mechanic if I feel I need to get a better look.

A few years ago at an IAABO school this mechanic was really being pushed. Those who didn't use it were dinged on their evaluations pretty consistently.

[rsl]

Originally Posted by Kelvin green

I think it depends on the game your partners and pregames.

Actually, Kelvin, I think it was you who taught me this mechanic in a clinic a few years ago. And, the clinic was in the north, so you must be right. It depends on the crowd.

In any case, I am going to put it on the list of things to work on this year.

[Freddy]

Well that went over like the proverbial t*&d in a punchbowl. Facilitated pre-season rules meeting last nite and ran my suggestion that we in our area begin to work on instituting the ball side mechanic in our 2-man games (which are all sublevel). Of those present, every single veteran, how can I put this mildly?, revolted against it in outspoken fashion. Shucks, I thought I explained it pretty darn good, too. Cited forum evidence of its widespread use in other areas, to no avail.
May still put some effort into it with selected crews with whom I've got sublevel games who "get it" and we'll see how it goes.
Thanx for all the input on this topic here. I sent all participants the link to this thread. Maybe your influence can sway 'em.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Well that went over like the proverbial t*&d in a punchbowl. Facilitated pre-season rules meeting last nite and ran my suggestion that we in our area begin to work on instituting the ball side mechanic in our 2-man games (which are all sublevel). Of those present, every single veteran, how can I put this mildly?, revolted against it in outspoken fashion. Shucks, I thought I explained it pretty darn good, too. Cited forum evidence of its widespread use in other areas, to no avail.
May still put some effort into it with selected crews with whom I've got sublevel games who "get it" and we'll see how it goes.
Thanx for all the input on this topic here. I sent all participants the link to this thread. Maybe your influence can sway 'em.

With things like that, you may just have to write off the old guard and get the new guys to do it (as long as they old guard doesn't generate conflict as a result). The newer officials (and those willing to change) can do it, the others can stay with their ways until they move on. There isn't any major obstacle to doing it partly. The official that is going ball side is the one that has to adjust the most.

[Adam]

In my two-person games, i pregame this mechanic, just so the T doesn't panic. Then again, it's taught here by most of the vets.

[Sharpshooternes]

Originally Posted by rsl

Here in Utah we have a mason-dixon line. South of Provo, the southern utah associations swear by it. In the north, it is almost forbidden. One year I went to two clinics and got dinged on evaluations in the north for going ball side and in the south for NOT going ball side.

The biggest liability for going ball side is that a quick swing pass catches you out of position and it is impossible to cover the far line or mark a three in the corner. But, I will still cross over if I have two physical big men pushing on each other on the ball side.

That may have been the case but i think the thinking is changing. I work in the northern part of Utah and when I asked the lead evaluator about it he said to do it. Also, at Mike Petty's (Head varsity assigner) camp this summer they emphasised that we do it.

I started fiddling with it last season and really like it. I cover this in pregame as well with my partners as they may not be comfortable with it, just so they know I am not crazy.