.svg){kind=spacer}
Lead Mechanics: Block/Charge and Restricted Area Signaling
This training segment focuses on officiating a diagonal drive to the basket, emphasizing the Lead official's role in managing secondary defenders. The Lead must transition to a "closed down" position to maintain a clear perspective on block/charge plays, as they hold primary responsibility for secondary defenders in the paint. A critical coaching point covered is the use of the Restricted Area (RA) signal; officials are reminded to point to the RA only when the defender’s location is the sole reason for the block call. This distinction is vital for replay reviews and coach challenges, where the legality of the defender's position is scrutinized. Additionally, the video highlights the importance of crew communication, encouraging Center and Trail officials to assist with foot placement and ensuring the Lead is informed if a basket is successfully scored during a high-activity play.
.jpg)
Play BreakDown
Here we have a diagonal drive to the basket, the center position adjusts down and focuses on the trailing defender. The Lead gets to the closed down position to referee the secondary defender. Lead has ALL secondary defenders on block charge plays to the basket. Lead calls a block and points to the RA which is telling us what? When he points he’s letting his partners know that he is only calling a block because he is the restricted area. DO NOT point to the RA if the defender is not legal. If we have a replay review in the last 2 minutes of the game or a challenge and the official points to the RA, we can only see if he’s in or not. If he is out of the RA but not legal, we would still have to change it to an offensive foul. Trail and center should be helping with the defenders feet and can come in with information. The lead has a lot going on in this play, he might not see that the ball goes in the basket. If you see him not score the basket, be a good partner and tell him the basket went in.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)