Keep saying it. Over and over. Tell everybody. It's the new thing, although it's an old thing.
Back in the old 2-man days, not many people got ballside as the lead. Dick Cartmell used to yell at us to get ballside as the lead. I never liked it, could not get comfortable with it, and never did it. I still have a hard time with it. It's a weakness. One of my protogees started doing it, still does it, and it makes him a way better 2-man official than me when we do rec ball together for the free health club membership. Why don't I do it now? I should, and have no excuse not to.
In 3-man mechanics, even being lazy, you still can get ballside. It's not like you have to bust your tail back across upon a shot going in or a possession change. In 3-man, if you are not getting ballside, not only are you not in the best position to make your calls, but you are absolutely f%&#ing your crew. Period. No debate. No "everybody has different philosophies" garbage.
I have watched several basketball games this year to help officials who have asked me to watch and provide feedback. Virtually all of them are not getting ballside enough, and are either missing calls themselves (guessing) or screwing their partners into making bad non-calls (bad positioning and cannot see the play). Some don't have a clue. Here's a tip: You have to be on the same side as the ball as the L, and you should be mirroring the ball with your positioning, not sitting in Window 1 (on lane line). And if you think that's mine, it's not. It came from John Adams, head of NCAA Men's officiating. He's not happy yet, either.
The C should not have the ball matchup more than 5% of the time. The only time that should happen is on a swing pass or very quick ball reversal, when the ball goes to the opposite wing, and there is an immediate drive or shot. Otherwise, the L should be coming over, and the C becomes the T.
Why does everyone talk about how important a strong C is to a crew? Because the C manages a lot of the off-ball stuff, and also supports the T & L on scoring plays in the key, when he has the best look. The C can pretty much cruise if he wants to. No rush to get down the court on made baskets. Manage the screening action occurring away from the ball. And occassionally someone rotates or drives towards them from the opposite lane line/post and he has the best look. Doing that well makes the crew better. Doing nothing doesn't help the crew, but the individual remains invisible and stays out of individual trouble. Lots of guys dont want to blow the whistle., and they hurt crews. Don't be one of those guys. There are too many as it is.
If you are not flexing, and not getting ballside, you belong doing rec and AAU basketball, nothing higher. If you think that getting ballside is someone's philosophy that you dont have to agree with, you are an absolute idiot, and a cancer to every crew you are on. Getting ballside and flexing is the only way to officiate basketball effectively.
5 comments:
Pretty easy to take potshots at everyone and hide behind a keyboard. If you know everything you should be doing games.
Why don't you go play hide and blow yourself Real Referee
Pot shots? I don't think so. Anyone who wants to see an Excel file with every game I have worked the past 16 seasons, just e-mail me. I've worked more games than most. And I work hard every night.
Big delicious, real mature. If you're going to post, instead of taking up space with 3rd grade insults, say something constructive. But Real Referee, you are wrong as well. Talk to any referee that currently, consistently works at a high level (State HS, College, D1, etc) and any one of them will tell you that getting ball-side as a lead is no longer an option, it's a requirement. Getting ball-side puts everyone in a better position to be successful and get calls right. To call lazy refs out for not being willing to flex is not taking potshots, it's simply pointing out where they are getting it wrong and need to improve.., hopefully getting them to think about it and become better officials. If you are a "Real Referee", maybe you should consider whether you are one of those that puts his partners in bad position night after night by refusing to get ball side - then go do something about it. You're partners will thank you for it.
Ballside? should explain EXACTLY what it means...
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