3-Pointers Hard to Judge, Too

The three-point shot can be as difficult to officiate as it is to make, referees and coaches say.

Both officials must concur that the shot starts beyond the 19-feet 9-inch line, and in some cases, it is difficult to ascertain.

“There’s a gray area near the top of the key that’s always existed,” said Speedy Castillo, a member of the board of directors for the Orange County Officials Assn.

“Traditionally, the trail official has been instructed to watch the action on top, and the lead official is watching the action from the waist down.

“Now, both are going to have to be looking up and down. It would be ideal to have a three-man crew with the three-point play, but two officials should be fine.”

Said Dave Brown, the Fountain Valley coach who used the shot in the Fountain Valley Tournament last month: “We had one shot where one ref called it good and the other said it was no good.”

Castillo also said the play begins where a player takes the shot.

“It doesn’t matter where he lands, as long as he takes off from behind the line,” he said.