I usually go weeks without calling one, I just never understood the "don't make it your best call" phrase. It's as if calling 3 seconds means you're doing other things poorly.

I love the phrase, myself.

To me it means that you have a lot of responsibilities -- and playing "gotcha" with a three-second violation is not at the top of the priority list.

I called one in my first game this season. None in the 13 since. If it's there, I'll call it - I don't go out of my way to find it.

But it might mean exactly that. If you're focused on 3 seconds, it's entirely possible you're not focused on more important issues. However, if you're focused on the more important issues and happen to catch a 3 seconds, call it.

I think that's accurate. If I'm watching a player with a foot on the lane line hoping to "nail" him after 3 seconds in the lane, what am I not watching that's a better use of my time?

Just clarifying this is your personal philosophy and not your understanding of the rule.

It is my understanding that if the player is moving across the lane (w/o stopping) we do not start the count. I'm not saying that a player can freely roam around the paint, just that in practice if he moves in, looks for a pass, then moves out without much delay he isn't going to get popped with a violation. I would be hard pressed to blow the whistle on a guy who is clearly on his way out of the lane just because he still has one foot in. I don't think that is the spirit of the rule and MAY be what is meant by the "best call" quote.

I called a 3 second violation tonight. I knew I would after posting in this thread today.

Hall Of Fame ???
 

Was it your best call of the night?

That b/c I mindmelded you and made you look at the paint all night. :D

Me, too. Partner also had one.

I have to go watch the video on a block-charge to let you know. The 3-seconds might have been the better call -- partner thinks I kicked the B/C

Actually, we had a ball get knocked out of a player's hands and she went to the floor to get it and pass it to a player at the top of the key. Then she sat in the lane and made no effort to get up or move. Finally, I had to call it.

First girls game I worked all year (filling in for someone with a knee injury) and for a few minutes early on I wondered what sport I was watching. :D

So much good advice already in this thread...I'm only going to comment on what I selected above.

#1- Memory- "which team goes where."

This was a HUGE issue for me. So much, that, years ago I sent Snaq's a private message about it. I was too embarrassed to bring it up in a thread. This will get better- what I did (and sometimes still do) is, when the offense is setting up I will say the color of the offensive team in my head, like 3 times quickly. Just to reinforce.

Also, if you do a lot of mid-level school games (and you probably do, if you're trying to get experience), you'll find that a lot of schools play in a lot of venues and wear a lot of different colors. THAT can make it confusing, especially when you do 4 games in an afternoon, and see eight different colors. Do this 4 times a week, and I'd be surprised if Earl Strom could remember who is on offense.

When you start doing upper level games, like high school and college, it's MUCH easier to remember the color of the team if that team ALWAYS plays at that venue.

Regarding travel calls, this should get better. As lead, you're looking from the waist up, especially if the post has the ball- take a couple of steps back, open and widen your field of view. You're better able to see the footwork from ten feet back, instead of say, like six feet. I also pre-game this with my partner before every game...especially in two man. If he/she is trail, don't be afraid to come to closedown and take that travel, if they're 100 percent certain and they didn't hear a whistle out of me.

Lastly, a 35 year veteran shared with me (just two weeks ago, during a jr. high tournament), that sometimes you "hear" a travel...don't let your vision be your only sense tuned into the game.

Good luck!!!