Foul or good block? (Video)

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Bad Zebra

When the play started, Lead was past the edge of the opposite lane line. As the block occurs, he has traveled to the edge of the lane "pinching the paint" and more or less standing under the action. I contend that the C has a better view as he is (assumed to be) stationary looking into the play. The lead is moving as he makes the call....at least that's my analysis of the video. If you disagree that it's a reach, fine. Bottom line...there's no foul there.

I'm just trying to lay to rest the notion that this is reaching across the paint.

Reaching across means that the L is making a call outside the paint on the other side -- across 2 lines. In the lane, the L is primary. Doesn't mean the T/C stop working and get what's evident from their positions.

I'm not bothered by the L's positioning. He's moving, sure, but not exactly running in transition. He's closed down when the "foul" occurs -- he might have a better look being a step wider, actually.

The best part of 3-person is that you can trust the C/T to get the ones from behind if you don't get a great look, rather than guess through bodies. When my T/C come in with a foul, I always think (1) thank you and (2) could I have done something differently to get that one myself?

Originally Posted by Rich

In the lane, the L is primary.

I don't know about your three-person coverage diagram but mine shows Lead's primary ending in the middle of the lane. Both players in the video are on the far side of the basket ring from Lead, making this C's primary. Thus, Lead should not be calling across the lane and reaching into C's primary.

[HawkeyeCubP]

Originally Posted by Rich

Reaching across means that the L is making a call outside the paint on the other side -- across 2 lines. In the lane, the L is primary.

In my region, and according to the IAABO high school and NCAA-W manuals, the Lead's primary ends in the middle of the lane, and "reaching across" means calling on the Center's side of that lane and/or outside "across two lines."

This is close, and the Lead does appear to have a patient whistle, which is how I typically pregame the Lead calling on the Center's side of the lane or more: Give the Center the first shot at a foul that is absolutely there, then if they don't call it, and it needs to be called, get it with a cadence whistle a beat later.

All of that being said, in this particular play, incorrect call, etc. etc.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by HawkeyeCubP

In my region, and according to the IAABO high school and NCAA-W manuals, the Lead's primary ends in the middle of the lane, and "reaching across" means calling on the Center's side of that lane and/or outside "across two lines."

This is close, and the Lead does appear to have a patient whistle, which is how I typically pregame the Lead calling on the Center's side of the lane or more: Give the Center the first shot at a foul that is absolutely there, then if they don't call it, and it needs to be called, get it with a cadence whistle a beat later.

All of that being said, in this particular play, incorrect call, etc. etc.

I'm not saying that the T/C shouldn't have a primary whistle, but it depends on the kind of contact -- if it's from behind or on the head, I would expect the C to get it even in the L's half of the lane. I don't guess through players and I have two other officials on the floor.

The point I was trying to make is this -- they're way too close to an overlapping coverage area to jump in with "that's why you don't call across the lane." It just sounds like an incorrect or an overly picky use of a catchphrase. Matter of fact, I've never once heard that phrase used till this thread on a play actually occurring in the paint.

BTW, in our pregames: "In the paint, the L is king." With the knowledge that we're not reaching and guessing no matter where. Why? Because I don't see an invisible line drawn down the center of the lane and I can *see* the paint.

[JRutledge]

This is in the paint. I would call a foul from the L if I saw something that suggested it was a foul. I not only understand there is going to be contact on these type of plays, I expect it. I would expect more of a call from a C or the T in this case because they likely have a clean look at the block from the angle. I have no problem with the L making this call and I would not suggest they are the only one to make this kind of call in a boys game. And when you have a 7 footer, then you really have to be careful to just call something without some real displacement or if they get to the ball first up top.

Peace

[Rich]

A good friend has said what, to me, makes the most sense -- the dividing line needs to be somewhere and by putting it in the middle of the lane lets both the L and the C know that they have lane responsibility. And not to nitpick which side of the lane the play's on.

Up that high? I'm likely screened by the rim or the backboard or something else -- it's why I have a T/C. But if I see a foul, I'm getting it.