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Late-Game Coverage: Crucial Foul Missed on Drive to the Basket
At the 2:05 mark, the crew begins in dependable positions, with solid coverage on the ball screen and no competitive matchups for the Lead. As the play develops, the screener receives the ball and initiates a drive where the defender uses his arm to impede progress. Once the primary defender is beaten, officials must anticipate help defenders and remain engaged from all angles. The Center has an opportunity to assist on the play at the rim, yet the result is a missed foul that is critical in the closing minutes. Key teaching points stress that every possession matters, especially in the last four minutes of a game. Officials must work aggressively until the final buzzer, adjust for open looks, and never hesitate to step outside their primary when the crew needs coverage support.
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Play BreakDown
Stop the clock at 2:05 to look at each crew members initial set up
- T on ball screen / dependable position
- C on ball screen (two referee play) / dependable position
- L no competitive matchups/extending coverage / dependable position
- Once we continue, we have a pass to the initial screener where there is contact
- The crew deems the initial contact legal, no effect on the play
- Player begins to drive and we have the primary defender using his left hand/arm to keep him from getting beat to the basket.
- Once the primary defender is beat, we now should have awareness of a help defender AS WELL as the trailing defender
- We have a play at the basket that opens up to where C can help on the play
Stay engaged, from ALL positions
No Call Incorrect that is CRUCIAL at this point in the game, by rule this is a foul every time
Take aways
- Every possession matters in the game, the last 4 minutes are CRUCIAL
- Stay aggressive till the final buzzer
- Don’t be afraid to come out of your primary coverage area to throw a strike
- Work to maintain open looks, position adjustment
- Avoid showing the “capped ball” signal, ESPECIALLY in this scenario
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