By Clarence Woody, Clinician

On a break away, when retreating from trail to lead, don't worry about getting beat on the play. This is true for a 2 or 3 person game. It is very important for the lead official to officiate the match-up(s) on this play. The lead has to be aware of block/charge situations, 3 point attempts, traveling, basket interference and goaltending. (Primary coverage for basket interference and goaltending is by officials trailing the play.) The lead cannot rotate in a 3 person situation; or he/she should not go ball side in a 2 person crew. The reason is you have a breakdown of coverage. You have the floor unbalanced and you are not officiating match-ups in your area.

The center and trail official (2 person), must officiate the weak side on a fast break. He/she cannot overrun the play. If you overrun the play, you can miss basket interference and goaltending. You cannot officiate "on the backs". The center and trail (2 person) have to officiate the block/charge on their side of the lane. The center or trail (2 person) maybe should stop at the free throw line extended on a outside-in angle, so he/she has the coverage to officiate block/charge, 3 point attempts, above the ring play and weak side play.