Ok, here's an easy question for your seasoned vets....

[BktBallRef]

The thoughts posted below are purely my own:

#1, boys or girls? Girls seem to move the ball from side to side more. We don't rotate as often in girls'games.

#2, don't rotate until all 3 officials are in the FC. Then, we usually wait until the ball settles below the FT line extended.

#3, notice tendencies. Do they have a big man who posts up in the low post? Do they run plays to a certain side of the floor? Do they unbalance the floor? Those are also reasons to rotate.

#4, if the C moves toward the division line to officiate a matchup, you can rotate to that side of the floor.

#5, if the ball swings to the C's side but you anticipate a shot, hold your position and don't get caught moving across the lane with a shot in the air.

#6, when you rotate, move with purpose but focus on your matchup. Don't ball hawk while you rotate.

Help that helps.

[bob jenkins]

7. If you're looking across, go across. If you're looking on your side, stay.

8. If C has more matchups (and the ball) than s/he should be expected to handle, go across.

9. If the action pushes (or pulls) C high, go across.

if I am say table side as I am sprinting down to take lead, and the ball comes up table side opposite,

Do you officiate in an MC Escher gym?

[Bad Zebra]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

7. If you're looking across, go across. If you're looking on your side, stay.

To echo this...a wise old vet told me many years ago..."If it's interesting enough for you to look over there...then go there". Sounds pretty simplistic but I've always found it useful.

[CountTheBasket]

10. If you're in one of those "dazes" during a blowout and you feel like you've been running back and forth in the same spot for an hour, rotate to wake everyone up!! I'm actually only half joking....Something I've found useful, I usually just mention it to my partners at halftime if we have an ugly game and see if anyone objects.

[BatteryPowered]

I was also taught that if the ball seems to be "hanging out" in the general area of the top of the key (middle third of the floor) you should close down to the lane line on you side of the floor. That will allow you to rotate more quickly. Just because you are not rotating does not mean you are not moving (a step or two) as lead be in better position.

It may be different in your world.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BatteryPowered

I was also taught that if the ball seems to be "hanging out" in the general area of the top of the key (middle third of the floor) you should close down to the lane line on you side of the floor. That will allow you to rotate more quickly. Just because you are not rotating does not mean you are not moving (a step or two) as lead be in better position.

It may be different in your world.

Mirror the ball. If it's at the top of the key, I'm closed down. I'm never closed down so that I'm "inside the ball" unless it's in the corner.

[BigT]

If you start a rotation and there is a quick shot or drive back out. Your partners will be watching that shot or drive and not see your rotation.

[Adam]

Here, we move when:
1. The ball drops below the FT line extended on the C's side.
or
2. The C starts a 5 second count
or
3. The L finds himself looking across the paint at a matchup.

As far as transition, I won't wait for all the officials to get into the FC. I can always go back if the ball goes quickly the other way and the other two didn't have a chance to rotate. I'd rather have a good look at the play and worry about adjusting later if need be. If it's clear the play is on the other side of the lane and I have a chance to get over, I'll go.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

#2, don't rotate until all 3 officials are in the FC. Then, we usually wait until the ball settles below the FT line extended.

I don't worry much about the location of the ball or whether it settles there, anymore.

I do tend to rotate quite a bit. I go where I feel I am best serving the game as the L, even if it means a few rotations per possession.

Some of my thoughts:

If the C has a closely guarded count, the L should be moving over there.

If you think the ball could get thrown down into the post, it's too late to get over there once the post player has the ball. Get there before the pass comes in.

Listen to Bob.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Rich

I don't worry much about the location of the ball or whether it settles there, anymore.

I said the same thing, I just used fewer words.

I don't rotate to a side just because a pass goes to the C's side of the floor.

More times than not, if the ball settles below the FT line extended,
1- the C will probably have a closely guarded matchup
2- the C will have more matchups than he can handle
3- I'm probably looking to that side.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

I said the same thing, I just used fewer words.

I don't rotate to a side just because a pass goes to the C's side of the floor.

More times than not, if the ball settles below the FT line extended,
1- the C will probably have a closely guarded matchup
2- the C will have more matchups than he can handle
3- I'm probably looking to that side.

I'll rotate just as much if the ball settles above the FT line extended, though, as post players tend to set up on that side. It's just not a line that means a whole lot to me.

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by Rich

I'll rotate just as much if the ball settles above the FT line extended, though, as post players tend to set up on that side. It's just not a line that means a whole lot to me.

It was just a reference point to help the newbie who asked for laymen's terms. While you have a great feel for when to rotate, he doesn't.