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

[stick]

Originally Posted by gr8fuldiver

Hi guys,

I was wondering if you could explain (in laymen's terms) when is the proper time for the lead to initiate a rotation? I am not sure how long the ball should be on a certain side before I switch. Also (along those same lines), if I am say table side as I am sprinting down to take lead, and the ball comes up table side opposite, how long should I wait until I rotate? I know these are probably pretty simple questions, but you guys have been so helpful in the past, I am looking forward to your advice and instructions today.

Take care and good luck in districts....

I'm pretty much with Adam on this one. One thing to keep in mind is if your going to flex, go all the way, even if the flow of the play goes opposite. You can always flex back if that happens.
As far as transition if the ball is brought up opposite side of where I'm at I'll sometimes flex as soon as the ball goes over half court if it looks like the flow of the play will be on that side. But as a rule I remind my partners in our pre-game that I will do that and to be heads up.
But flexing on the transition isn't always necessary.

[CountTheBasket]

Originally Posted by stick

.... as a rule I remind my partners in our pre-game that I will do that and to be heads up.....
.

I think this is a huge positive, and I always bring up rotations in a pregame. They are definetly something you need to have a feel for and they get easier over time, but if each person just shares the way they like to work and it gets everyone on the same page. Also, awareness is huge, because if a rotation gets botched, and noticed relativley quickly, just fill in and odds are the three of you will be the only ones who notice.

[johnny d]

Wow, you guys have really detailed pre-games. My usually consist of four words: don't **** it up. If it is an important game, I might lengthen that to: make sure you don't **** it up.

[Sco53]

Originally Posted by johnny d

Wow, you guys have really detailed pre-games. My usually consist of four words: don't **** it up. If it is an important game, I might lengthen that to: make sure you don't **** it up.

I like "don't let anybody **** your game up"

[BktBallRef]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

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.

And as I said, others of us aren't that fortunate. Therefore, it's important to talk about things during pregame. That may be rotations, switches or any of a number of other things. Not all of us are so big time that we can afford to do nothing but say "Don't **** up," which by the way, doesn't accomplish a thing.

[johnny d]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

And as I said, others of us aren't that fortunate. Therefore, it's important to talk about things during pregame. That may be rotations, switches or any of a number of other things. Not all of us are so big time that we can afford to do nothing but say "Don't **** up," which by the way, doesn't accomplish a thing.

Do you really think that the 1-2 minutes you might spend discussing each of these topics (rotations, switches, and other very basic things) is going to make a difference in an officials performance in the game that night? If the guy really needs to discuss things that basic, you are in for a lot bigger problems than whether or not they catch all the rotations. Are there things that could be useful to talk about in a pregame, sure, but going into this level of basics is a waste of time and doesn't accomplish anything either.

[JRutledge]

Originally Posted by BktBallRef

And as I said, others of us aren't that fortunate. Therefore, it's important to talk about things during pregame. That may be rotations, switches or any of a number of other things. Not all of us are so big time that we can afford to do nothing but say "Don't **** up," which by the way, doesn't accomplish a thing.

I do not think I have ever talked about rotations in years. The only way I can think of that topic comes up is when an official is brand new to the varsity level. But talking about switches or rotations almost never comes up.

My pre-games are more about the players, the teams and coaches that we will be dealing with. I might talk about a couple of philosophy things, but that is about it.

Peace

If the OP is still looking for advice, I haven't seen this posted yet:

Take a look at the defense. You will probably not rotate as much with a zone defense, because the offense will probably swing the ball from wing to wing. Under man-to-man defense I would suggest rotating whenever the ball moves to the other side of the lane, even above FTLE.