4.4 Trail official - practical advice
1. When the play is moving up the playing court, keep slightly behind and generally to
the left (although, sometimes to the right) of the ball, approximately three (3) to
five (5) m away, looking for the spaces between the players. This will help you
maintain a wider angle of vision on the play and improve your court coverage.
2. You are responsible for the sideline to your left, the centre line (the possibility of
the ball being returned from the frontcourt to the backcourt) and the twenty-four
(24) second clock. Pay particular attention to the twenty-four (24) second clock
whenever the ball goes out-of-bounds.
3. Inform the teams of the number of seconds remaining should the offensive team
have fewer than eight (8) seconds to move to the frontcourt from a throw-in in its
backcourt.
4. If the ball is brought up the playing court on your far right and the dribbler is
closely guarded, you must go as far as it is necessary to cover the player
properly. You then return to the normal trail position as soon as the situation
permits it.
5. You are primarily responsible for the flight of the ball in all shooting situations,
including goaltending and interference. Watch the feet of the shooter in relation to
a three-point field goal attempt, especially when close to the three-point line.
Ensure that you are looking between the players to determine responsibility for any
eventual contact.
6. Whenever the ball penetrates towards the endline or the basket on a shot,
dribble or pass, you must also penetrate (but not beyond the free-throw line
extended). This will enable you to help your partner, especially with players coming
over the backs of opponents in order to obtain a rebound illegally.
7. Whenever the ball is passed or released for a shot for a field goal, observe the
actions of the defensive player before looking at the ball.
8. When your partner looks for assistance on an out-of-bounds play, be prepared to
give it immediately. Establish the method of communication for such a situation
during your pre-game conference.
9. In transition from trail official to lead official, do not turn your head away from the
play and look down the playing court, keep your eyes focused on the play and the
players at all times by looking over your shoulder.
10. When you are responsible for on-the-ball coverage, especially in one-on-one
situations, look for the spaces between the players.
"Go where you need to go in order to see what you need to see.