MECHANICS AND AREAS OF

RESPONSIBILITY
July 2014

WELCOME &

CHECK-IN

Check-in:
-Who are you?
-Favourite thing youve done this holidays?

Session outline
1)
2)
3)
4)

Check-in & refresher

Areas of the court
Introduction to Areas of Responsibility
On-Court Mechanics workshop

COVERING

THE

COURT

You and your partner must stay in front and behind of the
players. The referee in front is in lead position and the
referee behind is in trail position.

COVERING

THE

COURT

Whoever is closest to the ball concentrates on that area

The other referee concentrates off the ball

COVERING

THE

COURT

For most situations, you & your partner should use the
Boxing in principle or in other words, aiming to
always have all 10 players between you

QUESTION

TIME!

1. What is the position called where a referee is situated in front

of the play?
________________________________________________________
2. What is the position called where the referee is situated
behind the play?
________________________________________________________
3. What is the name of the principle used to dictate where the
referees stand?
_________________________________________________________

QUESTION

TIME!

4. Where is the magic spot on the court that you should stand to see
everything?

There isnt one!

AREAS OF THE COURT

Modern officiating requires the two officials to work in cooperation
with each other
In order to achieve proper coverage, the two officials should seek to
obtain the best possible position from which to judge the play
To simplify this, each half court has been divided into rectangles
Numbered 1 to 6

AREAS

OF THE COURT

AREAS

OF THE COURT

TERMS TO REMEMBER
When discussing areas of the court, theres two phrases youll often hear
mentioned:

3/4 cut off

The imaginary line that separates Areas 3 and 4. Used as a
guide for who is considered the on ball official
Shared area
Area 5 and part of area 6 - Both officials are responsible
for this area

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

COURT COVERAGE & OFFICIATING TECHNIQUES

Be aware of players, ball and partner
Eye should always be roaming
Remember that knowing where the ball is isnt the same as following
it

One official responsible for on ball and the other for play off-ball
(dependant on location of ball)
Seek to box players in (physically and/or visually)
Work to find the best possible position to judge the play
Go where you need to go in order to see what you have to see
Move as necessary when the ball moves
Look for the gaps between players

Use FIBA 2-man Mechanics Manual as a guideline

TRAIL: SPECIFIC MECHANICS

Slightly behind and to the left of the ball, aiming to be approximately 3 to 5
metres away
Whenever the ball penetrates towards the end line or the basket on a shot,
dribble or pass, you must also penetrate to approximately the free throw line.
This will enable you to help out your partner!
Move out onto the court as far as needed to cover play on the opposite side
of the court; Especially when:
The dribbler is closely guarded moving up the court
Trap defence situations just over the centre line and/or far sideline
Be prepared to give immediate help if/when your partner looks for it on an
out-of-bounds play

Remember: Go where you need to go in order to see what you need to see

TRAIL: SPECIFIC MECHANICS

LEAD: SPECIFIC MECHANICS

Normally ahead of play and get down court as quickly as possible Be
faster than the fastest!
Always be as wide as the play. Dont stay under the basket as you will
not be able to get the gap when the ball is wide in area 4
Normally move between the three-point line to your left, and the far
edge of the restricted area closest to the opposite sideline
Step back from the endline to get a wider angle of vision
In transition from trail to lead, do not turn your head away from the
play. Always keep your eyes focused on play and the players at all times
by looking over your shoulder
Be prepared to give immediate help if/when your partner looks for it on
a play

LEAD: RANGE OF MOVEMENT

LEAD: SPECIFIC MECHANICS

PRACTICAL ADVICE - BOTH

Always move when the ball moves
Look for spaces between the players
Go where you need to go in order to
see what you need to see.
Being in the right position is 90% of the
way to a right call

REFEREE MECHANICS
Where should lead and trail be standing and watching?

5
6
4
1

VIDEO

TIME