1. FIBA 2-PERSON MECHANICS FOR USE IN Canada
Document prepared by
PAUL DESHAIES
CABO NATIONAL INTERPRETER
© Paul Deshaies, September 2008
&
Revised by
CAM MOSKAL
MABO PROVINCIAL INTERPRETER

2. FIBA 2-PERSON MECHANICS
Canadian Modifications
Please note: FIBA has approved the following 2-person mechanics changes on an experimental basis in Canada:
No preferred diagonal (i.e. Trail can officiate on either the left or right side of the court)
Trail on opposite side for all free throws (facing the scorer’s table)
Please consider these modifications when referencing the FIBA 2-Person Mechanics Manual.

3. PRE-GAME (FIBA protocol to be applied where appropriate)
On the court 20 minutes before game time
Opposite the table
Make sure scoresheet is correctly prepared and that, 10 minutes before game time, coaches confirm list, indicate five starters, and sign scoresheet
Introduction:
6 minutes before game time, blow the whistle to interrupt warm-up and bring teams to respective bench (clock still running)
After presentations are made, resume warm-up with 3 minutes on the clock
2:00 minutes, officials come across floor to table side
1:30 minute left, blow the whistle to bring teams to bench
Pre-game and 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

4. OPENING TOSS Movement of officials R remains stationary
U must verify that the tap was legal, i.e. that the ball had reached it’s highest point before being tapped and that the movement of the 8 non-jumpers was according to the rules.

5. OPENING TOSS Movement of officials R remains stationary
U must verify that the tap was legal, i.e. that the ball had reached it’s highest point before being tapped and that the movement of the 8 non-jumpers was according to the rules.

6. L and T can be on either side of the court
BASIC POSITIONS
L and T can be on either side of the court
No prescribed diagonal
Play (throw-in or free throw) dictates positions T L L T
Basic Positions

7. AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
T is responsible for on-ball coverage in areas 1, 2, 3, and 6 (outside the arc).
L is responsible for on-ball coverage in area 4
Shared responsibility of on-ball coverage in dark shaded area (5 and 6 inside the arc)
Always move when the ball moves
Box-in all players
Move to see the air (spaces)
T arc movement, penetrate
L between arc and far lane line (step back from endline to get wider angle) L 6 5 4 T 1 2 3

8. AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
T is responsible for on-ball coverage in areas 1, 2, 3, and 4 (outside the arc).
L is responsible for on-ball coverage in area 6
Shared responsibility of on-ball coverage in dark shaded area (5 and 4 inside the arc)
Always move when the ball moves
Box-in all players
Move to see the air (spaces)
T arc movement, penetrate
L between arc and far lane line (step back from endline to get wider angle) L 6 5 4 T 1 2 3

9. POSITION OF THE LEAD L moves to his right when ball is in area 6
in the low post or
inside the 3-point arc L T

10. POSITION OF THE LEAD L moves to his left when ball is in area 4
in the low post or
inside the 3-point arc L T

11. Primary Duties for the Trail Official
Two and three-point field goal attempts including judging whether time had expired at the end of playing time for a period or extra period or a twenty-four second violation had occurred.
Goal tending and interference.
Rebounding situations, especially over-the-back situations.
Low post area, especially on weak side (away from the ball).
Fouls away from lead official.
Travelling violations (trail official has the best angle of vision).
Thirty second device.
Remember the principles of mechanics:
The trail official must always move when the ball moves.
Box-in, that is, keep all the players between the two (2) officials.
Penetrate when the ball penetrates below the free-throw line extended on a shot, pass or dribble.
4. Look for the spaces between the players. T

12. Primary Duties for the Lead Official
Pivot/post play.
Play under the basket.
Fouls away from trail official.
Drive to the basket on lead’s side of the playing court.
Remember the principles of mechanics:
1. Always move when the ball moves.
Box-in all the players between the officials’ field of vision.
Look for the spaces between the players.
Step back from the endline to get a wider angle of vision. L

13. THROW-INS Throw-in spot nearest to point of infraction
Not behind backboard
Diagonal from elbow to corner: endline
Throw-in from back court handled by T

14. ENDLINE THROW-IN Ball stays in front court
L between player and basket
Blow your whistle
Hand the ball to thrower-in
Make visible count

15. ENDLINE THROW-IN Ball stays in front court
L between player and basket
Blow your whistle
Hand the ball to thrower-in
Make visible count

16. ENDLINE THROW-IN (Back court) Ball goes to the opposite end
L becomes new T and may bounce the ball to player at throw-in spot
T becomes new L L T B T L

17. ENDLINE THROW-IN (Back court) Ball goes to the opposite end
If there is defensive pressure, L becomes new T and shall move and hand ball to player at throw-in spot in box-in position
T comes over and becomes new L T T B L L

18. SIDELINE THROW-IN (Back court) Ball goes to the opposite end
L becomes new T and bounces ball to player at throw-in spot
T becomes new L B T L T L

19. SIDELINE THROW-IN (Back court) Ball goes to the opposite end
If there is defensive pressure, L becomes new T and shall move and hand ball to player at throw-in spot in box-in position
T comes over and becomes new L B T T L L L

20. SIDELINE THROW-IN (L SIDELINE) Ball below free throw line extended; front court
L hands or bounces ball to thrower-in

21. SIDELINE THROW-IN (L SIDELINE) Ball above free throw line extended; front court
T moves across to handle throw-in
L moves to box-in position on base line T L L T B

22. SIDELINE THROW-IN (L SIDELINE) Ball above free throw line extended
T moves across to handle throw-in
L moves to box-in position on base line T L L T B

23. CALLING A FOUL Stop clock: arm straight up, clenched fist
Point to player’s waist with a straight arm, palm facing down
Indicate number of free throws in controversial situations
RUN to scorer’s table (6 to 8 m) and STOP
Report while standing still
Signal number of player
Indicate nature of foul
Number of free throws or direction of play
(If applicable, B-F-S-T)
RUN to next position
Free official keeps all players within field of vision
In principle, exchange positions
Calling official becomes or remains T
Double whistle:
Eye contact
Nearest official or official toward whom play is moving takes call

24. NO CHANGE OF POSITION AFTER FOUL
L calls foul on offensive player
L reports
L becomes new T
T becomes new L L T L L T

25. NO CHANGE OF POSITION AFTER FOUL
T calls foul on defensive player
T reports and stays as T
L remains as L
Note:
Calling official is always T on the ensuing play T L

26. Both Officials Calling a Foul
Whenever this occurs, the two officials should immediately establish eye contact with each other to verify the call.
Close cooperation between the two officials is absolutely essential.
The nearest official or the official towards whom the play is moving, takes the call in order to avoid conflicting decisions (unless the other official noticed some other foul or violation prior to the double whistle).

27. FREE THROWS T opposite side L administers all free throws
T shows number of free throws and drops signal when ball is released; on last free throw, raise arm and be ready to start clock if rebound
No visible count L T
Free Throws L T

28. FREE THROWS T is responsible for: Watching the shooter
Watching the players along the OPPOSITE side of the restricted area
Counting 5 seconds
Watching the flight of the ball and the ball on the ring
Confirming if the free throw was successful

29. FREE THROWS L is responsible for:
Watching the players along the OPPOSITE side of the restricted area
Looking for contact situations and possible violations of the free throw provisions

30. FREE THROWS WITH NO LINE-UP
Official not calling foul administers free throws
Calling official goes to center line extended, opposite table L T

31. TIME OUTS Official closer to scorer’s table administers time-out
Both officials then go to pre-game position (facing scorer’s table)
After time-out, return to original positions

32. OFFICIALS’ SIGNALS Number of player Visible counts
FIBA signals (#’s) up to 15
Other #’s 16+ (one hand for 2-digit #’s / 2 hands for >5)
Visible counts
Closely guarded player
Throw-in execution
Ten seconds
REMEMBER: the quality of an official’s signals will enhance his image as an official. It will tell people that he knows his job and is doing it well.
It will give the official confidence!