National Federation of State High School

Associations

BASKETBALL

THREE OFFICIALS’ MECHANICS

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics2

Three-Person Mechanics

• Terminology• Pregame • Jump Ball• Areas of

Coverage• Rotations• Throw-ins

• Terminology• Pregame • Jump Ball• Areas of

Coverage• Rotations• Throw-ins

• Fouls & Switching

• Free Throws• Time-outs &

Intermission• Last Second

Shot

• Fouls & Switching

• Free Throws• Time-outs &

Intermission• Last Second

Shot

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics3

Terminology

• Rotation• Switch• L Official • C Official• T Official

• Rotation• Switch• L Official • C Official• T Official

• Close Down• Ball Side• Strong Side• Weak Side• Tableside • Opposite

Side

• Close Down• Ball Side• Strong Side• Weak Side• Tableside • Opposite

Side

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics4

Pregame Positions

U1 observes home team warm-up

U2 observes visiting team warm-up

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics5

Jump BallU1 chops

clock, watches jumpers

U2 watches eight non-jumpers

U1 & U2 mindful of quick 3-pt attempt and over/back

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics6

Jump Ball

R always goes into T position

Ball goes left Ball goes right

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics7

Primary Coverage Areas

Both C and T should close down on shots.

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics8

Line CoverageLead has entire

end lineC has closest

sidelineT has closest

sideline, division line, and far end line

Call only your line

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics9

Inbounds Coverage

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics10

Coverage on Transition

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics11

Shot & Rebound Coverage

Lead should not be positioned within lane lines

Both C and T should close down on shots

C is primarily responsible for weak side rebounding

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics12

Shot & Rebound Coverage

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics13

Three-Point Shot Coverage

If both C and T indicate the 3-pt attempt, T should referee the defense on the shooter and stay with the shot; C should release and cover rebounding

C/T should mirror the other official’s “good” signal

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics14

Rotation Sequence

L goes to ball-side, T closes down, C completes rotation (last to rotate)

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics15

Rotation CuesL dictates rotation (don’t stay in lane)Better to have two C’s than two T’s

(this is why C is last to rotate)L must officiate play in the post, even

while moving across the laneIf the L begins to rotate and the ball is

quickly reversed or a quick shot is taken, the L does not have to complete the rotation

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics16

Transition Coverage After

Rotation

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics17

Throw-In CuesL may administer throw-ins on either

side of player when staying in frontcourt

T handles all throw-ins in the backcourt, regardless of location (“bump and run,” if necessary)

T may bounce any sideline or end line throw-in (may depend on defensive pressure)

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics18

End Line Throw-Ins in the Frontcourt

L may administer throw-ins on either side of player when staying in frontcourt

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics19

Sideline Throw-Ins in the Backcourt

T handles all throw-ins in the backcourt, regardless of location (“bump and run,” if necessary)

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics20

End Line Throw-Ins in the Backcourt

If no pressure, C and L may go to home locations.

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics21

Press Coverage

C stays in backcourt

L should have deepest player in front and boxed-in

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics22

Foul Reporting

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics23

Fouls & Basic Switching

Non-calling officials should observe all players

Calling official goes table side after reporting

Official originally table side fills the vacancy left by the calling official

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics24

Fouls & Basic Switching

Third official remains in the same position occupied at time of foul

If calling official was table side, no switch occurs

No long switch on fouls called in the backcourt without free throws

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics25

Disqualification Procedure

1.New table side (Center or Trail) official: notifies coach requests timer to begin 30-

second replacement interval notifies disqualified player

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics26

Disqualification Procedure

2.Officials not administering disqualification position for subsequent throw-in or free throw

3.Administering official takes a position on division line half way between center circle and sideline nearest table to administer substitution

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics27

Foul Reporting & Switching

Important for all officials to designate throw-in spot

Staying in the frontcourt

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics28

L calls foul opposite, reports and returns to administer throw-in as new T

Old T becomes new L

C remains C

Backcourt to frontcourt - no free throws

Foul Reporting & Switching

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics29

Foul Reporting & Switching

C calls foul, reports and slides down to become new L

Old T becomes new C

L goes to sideline to administer throw-in and becomes new T

Backcourt to frontcourt - no free throws

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics30

Free Throws

Calling official becomes T

L administers all free throws

C and T should close down on last shot attempt

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics31

Time-outs & Intermissions

July, 2005NFHS Three Officials'

Mechanics32

Last Second ShotC or T – Opposite table official is

responsible L may need to offer assistance or

be responsible if on fast breakResponsible official should

communicate with partners that he/she has the last second shot (discussed during pre-game)

QUESTIONS?