Telling Teams Direction They Are Going?
 

As referees, are we obligated to tell the teams which way are going at the start of the 2nd, 3rd and 4th quarters?

I had an instance where a player came up to me and said, "Hey, I know which way we are going, but we are going to run a trick play."

I always say the color and point before the quarter starts. I don't make a show of it, though.

Me: "That's great. Blue!" (while pointing the proper way so everyone can see it).

tell? Yes (but as with all mechanics, when in rome...)

Make sure the defense is at the right end? No.

I have had this happen several times. I have just got into the habit of moving the the division line and hold the ball on the side that we should be going. If asked which way we are going by ANY player, I just answer with the color...Something like "It's blue's ball."

We are not obligated to help a team with a trick play.

I point and give a color to both teams at the start of every quarter or half. Why would I avoid doing so just so a team can run something that will likely bring me trouble?

Thankfully, I've had one team tell me they're doing this in the last 20 years and the defense didn't buy it for a second.

Er, the mechanics manual might help.
 

Starting a Period:
1. The throw-in to start the second, thrid, and fourth quarters and any extra period shall be administered by the Referee at the division line opposite the table.
2. Indicate color and direction, designate the throw-in spot, sound the whistle to alert players that play is about to begin, place the ball at the thrower's disposal.

I too have had several teams try this, mostly AAU stuff. The team that tries it always ended up losing the game, usually pretty bad. It just tells me they trying to pull every trick in the book and the coach always has a behavior problem.

Why? I mean, why not point as the mechanics manual tells us to do?

Except when I coached and my first game coming out of halftime I told my inbounder to let the official know we know which way we were going. We had everything down to a tee. Except the inbounding official that told the defense at least 5 times which way they were going and that we were lined up on the wrong side of the court. I was more surprised that I didn't get a T after that.

Why is this a behavior problem? It's just strategy and preparing your players to understand game situations.

I would wager he just didn't know what the mechanics manual said. I don't think he would intentionally do something different.

He's not calling *this* a behavior problem. It is, however, highly correlated with coaches who do have behavior problems.

Note, those behavior problems are shared between the coaches and their players, most of the time.

Good for that official. :D

:( Those would have been my teams first 2 points of the game :eek:

Did you drink heavily after games? :D

Where do you move the division line to?

...there it is...;)

If the players are lined up in the "wrong" direction where does the lead official go? Does he go stand under the "wrong" basket?

I think you have answered your own question. That would make him the trail wouldn't it?

No.

3 man mechanics, I'd line up on the end line in the direction where the team with the ball will be going. The center official on the opposite side of the table can cheat toward the division line if needed to assure proper coverage on any activity that occurs in the backcourt.

2 man mechanics, if I'm lead and the offensive team is sending all their players to the backcourt for a trick play like this, I'm likely lining up opposite side from my partner and at a minimum, cheating up near the division line if I don't have any.competitive matchups to referee in the frontcourt. Actual location will depend on where the players are located.

2 man: I'm not sure there's really a need. The point of this play is not to make the throw in to the BC; it's to get a wide open play in the FC. If the defense bites, then you'll have a wide open layup with a fast-trailing defender in the lead's primary. Best to stay put, IMO. If the defense doesn't bite, the offense will be wide open in the BC anyway.

3 man: Maybe keep the center a bit high, but no need to dive into the BC (I know that's not what you said).

The only thing that might happen would be extra-curricular, but the T can easily handle that from the division line.

What good is the Lead doing at the other end of the court looking at an empty lane?

Where's the action going to be?

Perhaps I should have put a sarcastic grin after my comment. But I liked anyway what Whistles and Stripes mentioned about the other official cheating up towards the division line.

If they line up in the paint in the BC, and B2 realizes what's happening and decides to grab A2's jersey, then action is in the BC; and nobody will see it.

When teams are pressing we don't wait for them down at the frontcourt endline, why would we officiate an 42' of empty court just because the throw-in is from the division line?

Yeah, I might cheat up a bit just to catch the extra-curriculars, but I'm not going any higher than the top of the 3 pt arc. Most likely action is going to be a play in the paint at the right basket, with a defender chasing from behind, and I want to be in position for that.

If the defense doesn't bite, it won't matter.

Why. The trail official should be bouncing the ball to the inbounding player. That bounce can be several feet. Then he/she simply slides down further to watch for any inappropriate behaviour. Besides, if the defense bites he will be on that baseline soon anyway. If they are looking at the officials, they will notice the one that SHOULD BE on the baseline is on the other end of the court...that will probably give it away.

Also, as far as the throw-in mechanic...I do that as soon as the teams break the huddle. But I will not point again, just give them the color. In high school most of these kids have been playing basketball for 6-10 years. If they don't know the direction of play or weren't paying attention coming out of the huddle that is a coaching issue...not an officiating issue.

Interesting. Every time I administer a throw in following any delay (timeout, injury, intermission, etc), I point and say the color right before. I don't change anything just because someone might be trying a bush-league trick play.

Exactly.

If you are administering, and the throw-in is gettng defended, you should not be watching the other 8 players.

All kinds of crap could happen after the ball is at that disposal of A1, and we're worried about being in position for a breakaway lay-up, instead of the physical activity going on 80'+ down the court? :confused:

....."each extra period shall be started with a jump ball in the center restraining circle."

Who said I change things. I always do it the same way. When the teams break the huddle I state the team color making the throw-in and point in the proper direction. After that, I stand with the ball on the appropriate hip until the player is there. Make sure any defender is aware of the plane...take a couple of steps aways from the player...give a toot of the whistle when my partner(s) are ready...bounce the ball to the inbounder. That is the mechanic. The rule book and/or case book DOES NOT state I have to keep pointing in the direction of play every time some kid with the attention span of a 6 month old baby ask "Who's ball is it?".