4.8 Pressing defences
Pressing defences can create difficulties for the officials. These entail disruption of
their normal playing court coverage and the situation requires great concentration and
cooperation.
If there are three (3) or more defensive players in the opponents’ backcourt during a
pressing defence, the lead official should delay his attempt to reach the endline in
order to help his partner cover the play.
As soon as the ball comes into the frontcourt, the lead official moves to his normal
position on the endline.
Diagram 70 shows a pressing defensive coverage. Only one (1) defensive player is in
the opponents’ backcourt and therefore the lead official must watch all players in the
half of the playing court nearer to him.
The trail official should get as close as necessary to the play, watching carefully for
possible fouls and violations.
In Diagram 71, three (3) defensive players are in the opponents’ backcourt. To help his
partner adequately cover this press situation, the lead official will delay his advance
and stay on the sideline until the ball crosses the centre line.
The officials should do their utmost to ensure that any turnover (change of possession)
following a pressing defence has been the result of legal defensive play. Illegal contact
should always be penalised as a foul.