Western Suffolk Basketball Officials Assoc. - (Suffolk County, NY)

The NFHS Basketball Rules Committee passed several mechanics changes for the upcoming season.
    Referee may designate. In a crew of two, the referee may designate the official to administer the jump ball to start the game or overtime. Some of the best crew chiefs either are not comfortable with the jump ball or consistently have very poor tosses to start the game. If another official on the crew is taller or more adept at tossing the ball, the referee will determine which member of the crew has the best jump ball toss and have that official administer the jump ball to start the game or overtime period. The referee on the game will still inbound the ball to begin each period at the division line across from the table.
   Timeout positions in crew of two adjusted. The timeout and intermission positions have been changed so that the administering official will stand where play will be resumed and the non-administering official will stand facing the table on the division line (on the circle nearest the table for a 30-second timeout and on the circle farthest from the table for a 60-second timeout or intermission).
   The committee felt that keeping an official at the location of the ball (as opposed to the blocks) will eliminate questions during timeouts as to where the ball will be inbounded or from where play will be resumed. The off-ball official will be near the table to handle any substitutes or questions from the table.
   Ball on floor when moving. In two-person, the administering official should put the ball down on the floor where play will be resumed if movement is necessary away from the spot to communicate with the table or partners. A team that sees the ball on the floor will know that is the spot from which play will be resumed. If there is an activity on the floor, the official should move the ball out of the way to a spot closest to where play will be resumed.
   The NFHS also issued the following mechanics points of emphasis for the 2007-08 season. The mechanics points of emphasis are designed to bring attention to certain areas of officiating that need attention and extra diligence from officials.
   Correct throw-in spots. The concept is so very simple, yet many times it is so blatantly ignored or manipulated by officials it can be mind-boggling. The spot of the violation or foul determines the ensuing throw-in spot (when free throws are not to follow).
   Stoppages of play inside the key circle, plus the area from the free-throw line corners to the endline corners and below, result in a throw-in along the endline nearest the stoppage of play. Stoppages of play outside that area result in throw-ins along the sideline nearest the stoppage of play. Sometimes for ease of transition, carelessness or a disregard for the rules, officials will put the ball in play at a spot most advantageous for minimal movement of the crew. Such a mistake is sure to make an immediate negative impression if an evaluator happens to be in the stands. Or worse, it could have an impact on a coach’s game strategy.
    Ball-side officiating. Many two-person veterans are a bit uneasy with the thought of going ball side because it leaves the lead’s sideline uncovered. However, the ball-side movement is a calculated tradeoff and the result is better post-play coverage, a continual point of emphasis. Moving ball side improves the lead’s view of low-post action. The lead is in a better position to see the play clearly (in the off-ball side, the lead looks through bodies and may have to guess) and the lead is closer to the play, which helps sell the call or no-call. Perception is important and if you look like you’re closer to the play and in good position, your ruling has a better chance of being accepted.
   The lead goes ball side when it is obvious post play is about to occur. That usually means that the wing player with the ball is near or below the free-throw line extended and an offensive post player is in a position to catch an entry pass. When you’re the lead official and you think that play may happen, move from the “close down” position to the opposite lane-line area to better officiate the post play.
   If the ball swings back to the wing or swings opposite the post player, the lead moves back to the original position and picks up coverage.
   The trail official must be cognizant of where the lead is at all times and pick up off-ball coverage of the other players when necessary. Proper coverage requires good eye contact and a “feel” for where your partner is looking.
   Move to improve. Officials must work hard at understanding, then obtaining, proper angles. Your line of sight must provide you with an opportunity to view a developing play or part of a play. You must be able to completely see through the play, which means your vision must be unobstructed by the players directly involved in the play and others near the play.
   An official’s angle and constant adjustments are as continuous as a play in motion. In both two-person and three-person mechanics, officials must strive and move to improve angles and distance from the play.
   Movement should be purposeful. A step or two in the right direction may open up a whole new viewing experience, free from obstruction and straightlining. A step in the wrong direction may screen you from critical game action.
   Trail movement allows the lead to watch players off-ball, the critical component in combating physical play. Rough play was a point of emphasis throughout the last decade. When the trail moves off the sideline to cover plays, the lead can focus on the lane area, where most rough play occurs.
   The lead also moves along the end line to improve angles. There are usually at least four and sometimes six or eight players in the lane battling for position. Lead movement is critical to watching low-post action. It’s paramount to game control.
   Proper movements on rebounding action are also important. Trail officials must close down on rebounding action because ignoring it and backing away leads to increased physical play and too much action for the lead to cover. Lead must work for the angle to see the action that develops when a ball is tipped or a rebound caroms out wide.
   Dead-ball officiating and communication. The dead-ball time after a foul, violation or time out is critical for officials. The impact of your dead-ball officiating will affect live-ball game action. Being a good dead-ball official means a variety of things, including watching players and reporting and signaling effectively during a dead ball. After a foul or violation, it is imperative that officials perform the following duties:
   • Keep all players within your field of vision. If you are the non-calling official, penetrate into the crowd slightly to let all players know you are watching. Use your voice if necessary. Don’t chase the ball; going after the ball leaves players unattended.
   • Communicate with your partner(s). If a timeout has been taken, indicate the spot of the ball before reporting the timeout. Get together if necessary to discuss a potential problem or action and put the ball down at the spot of the inbound or free throw if you must leave that spot. Work with the table at that point to alleviate any questions or concerns before the ball becomes live.
   • Free throws. Watch players on opposite lane lines as the lead and trail (or center). The officials look opposite because it is easier to see players stepping toward you and violating than it is to see them step away from you, especially when other players are blocking your view. Adjust your angles to properly cover the free-throw action. The trail is also responsible for all players outside of the three-point arc. Be especially wary of trouble players in that area as it is an ideal time for a confrontation or altercation to occur while the ball is dead. Officiate the ensuing rebounding action and make certain to penalize any illegal maneuvers. Do not allow rough play to start during free-throw rebounding action.