Last Two Weeks – We are heading into the final stages of the regular season for the schools. Each game may mean more than usual for playoff positioning, region championships, etc. Games may be more intense. Sharpen your focus. Sometimes even teams at the bottom of the region can lash out. Stay alert in your games!
Foul Reporting Procedures – Church leagues and rec leagues have been underway for some time. Having qualified officials is a big plus for these leagues. However, as all of us know, this often leads to situations where you are doing 4, 5, 6 or more games per day. In these circumstances it is understandable that we may shorten the distances that we have to go when reporting a foul. We may not go to the reporting area. However, we should still follow the proper procedure at the spot of the foul. If this is done well, this may be all we need to do before resuming play. Doing this will also help us to maintain the correct habits at the spot of a foul during your school contests. For some of you there has been a noticeable deterioration of correct protocols at the spot of the foul over the last few weeks.
Trail Positioning – As we discussed at some length at the beginning pf the season, the trail needs to work as much as possible from the 28 foot mark. If there is no pressure in the backcourt, try to beat the dribbler to the division line. If you cannot do this, then run to the 28 foot mark. Try to reduce your presence in the “red zone” as much as possible. This applies to two person as well as three person mechanics.
To make proper rulings, you have to be in a position on the court to see between the players. If you’re consistently near the division line, your angles for the most part are not as good as when you move to the 28 foot mark or closer to the end-line.
Tip of the Week
Home invasion – At times, the Jump shooter returns to the floor in the defender’s space. When contact occurs, the defender is incorrectly ruled for the foul. Let’s be careful not to penalize the “Home Owner” for protecting himself when the “intruder breaks into his house” Rule 4, Section 23, Article 1 states that every player is entitled to a spot on the playing court provided such player gets there first without illegally contacting an opponent.