FIBA 3-PERSON MECHANICS

Document prepared by

PAUL DESHAIES

CABO NATIONAL INTERPRETER

© Paul Deshaies, September 2008

 TERMINOLOGY

• Ball-side
• Lead, Centre, Trail
• Table side
• Opposite side
• Rotation: change of position during live ball
• Strong side: side of front court where L is located
• Weak side: side of front court where L is not located
• Switch: change in position during dead ball caused by a
foul being called
 Understanding FIBA
• From the outside…..
– International scope
• Members are all over the world
– Structural differences between member countries
– Cultural issues
• Prescribed signals
– Game site support
• Role of the scorer’s table
• Role of the commissioner
 Understanding FIBA
• From the inside….
– Skills to be successful in the FIBA system are very
different
• Coach/game management, credibility, rules knowledge
– Tournament assignments
– Language/Cultural differences
• No pregame
• Crew communication/dynamics
 Mechanics Differences
• Point of throw-in after a cancelled basket
• 3-person mechanics – call a foul and go
opposite table
• Lead area of responsibility
• Philosophy on double whistles
• Dead ball hustle
 Mechanics Differences
Pre-Game
Pre-Game Routine
• On the court 20 minutes before
game time
• Opposite the table
• Check scoresheet at 10 minutes VISITOR TABLE HOME
before game time
• 6 minutes before game time,
blow whistle to interrupt warm-
up and bring teams to
respective bench (clock
(clock still
running)
• Resume warm-up with 3
minutes on the clock
• 2:00 minutes, officials cross
over to table side
• 1:30 minute left,
left, bring teams to
bench U1 R U2
• Pre-
Pre-game and half-time:
half-time:
whistle at 3:00, 1:30 and 30
seconds
• Between 1st and 2nd, 3rd and
4th, and before OT, whistle at
30 seconds
 Mechanics Differences
• Signals
– No preliminary signals
– Two hand reporting (player numbers 4-15 only)
– Charging with the ball (player control)
– Free throws
– Made basket or free throw
 Officials Working Areas
• L works the paint

• C stands 2 meters beyond VISITOR TABLE HOME

free throw line extended

T

• T at the edge of the team

L
bench area

• Officials must go where

they can see the air (find
the spaces)
C
 Areas of Responsibility
• T is responsible for
outside of strong side

• L is responsible for paint VISITOR TABLE HOME

on strong side and inside

arc T
– Double whistle

AL
DU
L
• T and L have shared
responsibilities in dual
area

• C is responsible for whole

weak side C
 Throw-Ins
• Throw-in spot nearest to
point of infraction
VISITOR TABLE HOME

• Not behind backboard

T

• Diagonal from end of free

L
throw line to corner:
endline

• Throw-in from back court

handled by T (unless from
C
front-court on weak side)
 Endline Throw-In
• L between player and
basket
VISITOR TABLE HOME

B
T
B
 Free Throw Administration
• L (opposite side)
– Signals number of throws
– Bounces ball to thrower
– Watches players across VISITOR TABLE HOME

lane
– After last successful free
throw,
throw, signals start of C
clock
• C (table side)
– Signals number of throws
until ball is released
– Watches players across
lane L
– Signals start of clock after
last unsuccessful free T
throw
• T (opposite side)
– Helps with free throw
violations if necessary
– Helps with perimeter
rebounding
 Charged Time-Outs
• Official nearest table
grants the time-out,
becomes C and stands
straddling centre line. VISITOR TABLE HOME

• All officials assume

pre-game positions
during time out.
– If free throw,
throw, L holds ball
– If throw-in,
throw-in, official
responsible holds ball
• After warning signal,
officials ensure that
players return and O C O
move to normal
positions
 Merging Systems
• FIBA has adopted several changes in the past
several years that are closer to the North
American philosophy
– 8 second continued backcourt count
– Over and back interpretation
– Move to center on timeout in last 2 minutes of game
– Allowed substitutions
– Use of 3-person crews
– Post-game feedback