Three Crew Mechanics -Sept 1
The imaginary line that goes from baseline up through center of the key is called the "split line.
Lead- initial positioning is the edge of the 3 point line to edge of backboard [close down] The lead does not go back more than one meter off the end line The lead set up is a 45 degree angle, mirroring the ball when ball is on your side of court. Too often the lead blows across the key. These weak side calls are not in the lead primary. Trust your centre. The lead may call low swipes, and Illegal contact when you know that the centre is unable to have a good look or not in position. The centre needs to use the cross step to get a good look at plays on their side of the court The lead needs to recognize when to get to the strong side of the floor. The lead has the smallest area but usually makes 60% of the calls because of having the action area. Avoid rotating on drives and shots. Rotate from the close- down position. Move with an athletic walk.
The centre official must be active, have an opinion on all plays on the centre side of the court and on plays that turn into their area from the opposite lane line. The centre official must not leave the rebounding action too early. Move quickly from foul line to foul line. Avoid walking in transition.
Trail- the basic set up is between 28' mark or upper edge of coaching box and the center line. The trail needs to keep to keep a wide angle by using the cross step. The trail officiates their primary all the way down to top of second lane space. Avoid chasing after the ball. The trail should never bail out on drives to the basket or on rebounding action.
Foul reporting-tell the whole story at point of foul, on shooting foul, announce the number of the shooter and the number of shots.
Centre position- stay at C spot on foul line until rotation by the lead is complete- point of emphasis in FIBA is the lead initiates all rotations. There are absolutely no rotations initiated by the centre. It is good for the centre to be on the floor when the ball is a distance away.
Split line on perimeter- the trail gives the ball up to C when the ball crosses to far side of split line and the C takes a step up to accept play- even though the ball crosses split line, the covering official must not give it up until partner accepts the play.
Question was asked about ball going to basket or baseline on strong side from trail; should the trail follow it down to make call - No! If you are moving, you have " bouncing eyes". Make the call from a stationary position. FIBA does not want the trail any closer to basket than 28' mark. If ball is in the lead primary on strong side below second lane space, it is the lead call. The lead official has first crack at everything on their low side of the basket. The call should be called by the nearest official -where the play finishes.
Protocol on a throw in for administering official-- check table, clock, partners, before resuming play.
All 3 officials are responsible to see the game clock and shot clock.
Offensive end line throw in -the administering official may bounce or hand ball to thrower in. On the final free throw the lead should be a couple of steps away from the lane line.
Shot Coverage- when you are covering a shot situation, " focus on your side of defensive players", give yourself a clear view of the play.
Time outs-crew may select any of 3 positions; emphasis on getting officials to the huddles at 50 seconds of time out- ready to get teams back on court at 50 second buzzer.
Time out in last 2 minutes with opportunity to advance ball- CC has the ball during time out; at 40 seconds, CC goes to team huddle that may possibly advance ball and at 50 seconds, asks "Front court or Back court?" ; one other official goes to get other huddle; 3rd official stays at time out spot ready to fill spot to resume play. CC administers throw in.
The trail should not show a visible 8 second count- work off the shot clock. The trail often has the best look on over the back fouls. Apply the boundary line signal on all throw ins in the last 2 mins. of the game\overtime.
****Back court throw in- ball is thrown in and is being dribbled up court and official realizes shot clock did not start. This is now straight forward- blow whistle immediately and if the trail has counted 3 seconds in back court- set shot clock at 21 and 8 second is down to 5- ---5 sec to get across division line
Basket Interference and goaltending- responsibility of outside official opposite the play -the outside official on the shooter side has secondary responsibility.
On a fast break, it is okay for the lead to pull up, stay on the court where you are able to see basket and backboard and make the call- particularly if C is not in position. Of course, our goal is to be on the endline to accept the play.
Foul calls-athletic walk to a clear spot where you are visible to the table, there is no reporting box .
Free throw coverage- lane violations are now called immediately once shot is in the air- if the ball goes in , count the basket and now we have to handle ball- so these lane violations or an outside player entering 2 point area before ball hits the rim are now called just like a shooter violation for entering lane too soon- we always blow that right away. All violations are blown immediately after the ball is in the air.
The trail official is responsible for all players outside the free throw line and the 3 point area.
Rebound coverage- each official is encouraging to pick up 2 rebounding match ups. If you do not have anything in your primary, you may have to go to the next nearest competitive match up.
*****Last shot of period- outside official that is opposite the play- if C has the active play in his primary, the trail official will have the last shot responsibility.
Note
The lead must show patience on calls in the opposite low post - centre primary. More rotations are needed by the lead.
Locate the semi circle. Call the crashes correctly.
Blows to the head are unsportmanlike fouls.
Stay in tempo\rhythm by recognizing your partner calls. Get the ball back in play quickly.