NBA mechanics
 

I watch a lot of NBA games, and I have not been able to figure out some of the NBA mechanics, specifically the switching. Sometimes only two guys switch, sometimes all three. It seems random. Can someone enlighten me?

High school games will look the same way in 3 person. It's based on who calls the foul and whether he will go opposite or table side.

NBA mechanics are quite different than NCAA or NFHS mechanics. It is not random.

This is a simple summary. Generally when there is a shooting foul, the calling official will become the new trail table side and the two others will switch positions. If it is a non shooting foul, the calling official will become the new trail and put the ball in play (on the side of the floor closest to the foul). The two others switch. On offensive fouls and fouls in the backcourt, the officials slide which means that they do not switch but slide up the floor in the same spots. There are many other parts to it but hopefully this will help a bit.

Jay R has it right...in the front court, the calling official will always become the trail. The other two officials will become a new position (as in lead will be the slot, old trail will move to lead, etc.)

So for example:

Lead opposite calls a shooting foul...Lead will go to table side and become a new trail, slot (center) will move to lead, and the old trail will move down to the slot.

Same play but non-shooting foul:

Lead will report and go to trail opposite table...old trail will move to slot position tableside and the old slot will become the lead opposable

Are we speaking about dead ball movement (which is called switching) or live ball movement which is actually considered a rotation. During live ball situations all officials can move for all kinds of reasons.

Peace

Yes, dead ball switching. My bad.