Inter-Athletic Council of
Officials
New Official’s Basketball Class
Module #5
The Lead Official
Lead Official

At the completion of this Module the
student should:
◦ Know the proper positioning of the Lead
Official
◦ Know the proper coverage of the Lead
Official
◦ Know proper movement for a Lead Official
Key Terms
Primary Coverage
 Rotations
 Closing Down
 Quicksand
 Ball side mechanics

Lead Official

Lead Official
◦ Works on the end line under the basket

Two Person and Three Person
Coverage
◦ Different Responsibilities
◦ Different out of bounds coverage

Three Person
◦ More focus on post play
TWO PERSON
MECHANICS
Two Person Basics
Located on the end line
 Primary Coverage

◦ Below the FT line to the sideline
Lead has 3 point coverage on side of
court
 Has the “L” coverage with out of bounds
lines
 Ball side mechanics
 Stay off the court

PRIMARY COVERAGE
Out of Bounds

Primary Coverage

Responsible for the “L” lines

May need help on some calls

Lead has final say on out of bounds calls on
sideline and end line.
Lead’s (2 Person)
Primary On Ball Coverage Area
L
Lead’s (2 Person)
Primary On Ball Coverage Area
L
Movement toward the sideline

Lead cannot hug the lane area

Move when the ball drops below the FT line
extended

Give yourself a chance to see the sideline

Open up to the court
Too Close to Lane
Better Position
Movement toward the sideline

Lead is responsible for sideline coverage
on their side of the court

Lead has 3 point shot responsibility

Movement can help your partner
recognize when you are on “on ball”
coverage
POSITIONING ON END
LINE
Positioning

Do not get too close

Closer is not better

Further away will give you a wider view of
the play
Lead Positioning: Too Close
Lead Positioning: Better Position
Ball Side Mechanics
Use when ball is below the FT line
 Move from normal position to other side
of the lane
 Keep shoulders turned toward players
 Still responsible for sideline coverage
 Move back to normal side ball goes in
transition

Ball Side
T
Mechanics
A
B
A
B
L
Ball Side
T
Mechanics
A
B
A
B
B
L
A
THREE PERSON
MECHANICS
Three Person Basics

Same side as Trail Official

Primary Coverage
◦ Below FT Line Extended
◦ Inside of the 3 Point Line

Post Play

Initiates most rotations

Throw-in responsibility
Lead’s (3 Person)
Primary Coverage Area
L
Lead’s (3 Person)
Primary Coverage Area
L
Quicksand

Located in the lane line under the basket

Stay out of this area

Lessens the official’s angle

You could get hurt staying in this area
Quicksand
L
Quicksand
OUT OF BOUNDS
Out of Bounds

Primary Coverage

End line only

Seek help if needed

Lead has final say on end line out of bounds
plays

Do not turn back on court to make a call
TRANSITION
COVERAGE
Transition
Backcourt to Frontcourt
 Officials need to work together
 There are no primary coverage areas
while in transition
 Get to the other end of the court as
quickly as possible
 There is nothing wrong with getting beat
sometimes

Transition Movement
(2 Person)
Bench
Table
Bench
L
T
L
T
ROTATIONS
Rotations

Lead Official initiates most rotations
◦ Only one that rotates in Two Person
Mechanics

Three Person Mechanics Goal
◦ Two officials on ball side
◦ Officiates the post play
Rotations
T
A
C
A
B
L
Shot while rotating
T
Shot in the air
A
C
A
B
L
Lead Official Review
Does the lead have 3 point responsibility
in three person?
 When should the lead rotate?
 What out of bounds lines does the lead
have?
 What is the primary responsibility of the
lead official (3 person)?

Module 5

Questions?
New Officials Basketball Class
Module 5
Lead Official