harmonious interpretation of the rules. ‘Ye feel that both sides are
honest in their ovinions even if they disagree, The East has some

very fine officials as does the West, Both sides are honest in their
opinions even if the disagree.

"There is less trouble in the West this year on the pivot
post play than there is in the East, because there is less cheating
by both defensive and offensive players in the West. Personal ex-
periences and opinions are being inflicted upon a situation where
common sense should be applied. The coaches at the New York conven-
tion two years ago doubted my demonstration and description of the
defensive tactics on the pivot man in Eastern games, but Keogan and
Rupp now can add their testimony to mine. The answer is not that
someone may be a crook, but rather that we should get together. The
pivot play solution will come more easily and quickly than will the
solution to so-called pick off, screen, or block plays.

"Basically, the East favors the defense and the West al-
lows more privileges to the offense. In the East, if there is a
collision between players, the offense almost invaribly is held
guilty. In the West it is assumed that both sides have contributed
Somewhat, and the event is disregarded. In the East if a man with-
out the ball assumes a position and a teammate cuts around him for
a free shot, it is almost a capital crime. This is the professional
influence, and is a deep rooted conviction, at least in Philadelphia
and New York. Further complication is added by the practice of the
defensive player, who is losing his man, of "stepping into" some
offensive player and then crying, "Pick-off". This type of activity
is not common in the West.

"It might be well to announce again that the playing
space is practically cut in half by the mid-court line. With lessen-
ed space and just as much movement there is bound to be more contact.
Just as long as nobody is hurt a lot of needless whistle tooting can
be eliminated. Personally, I think the western policy can result in
greater consistency with less projection of the officials into the
forefront of our game."

Two methods are available by which ruling everywhere can
be made more uniform. Both are more or less slow and painful pro-
cesses, but the results appear reasonably certain. Local and sec-
tional rules clinics serve to clarify the code and are very valuable
as far as they go but their influence seldom is far reaching.

The first move must be an extension of collegiate inter-
sectional schedules, Discrepencies in interpretations will thus be
brought more strikingly to our attention. We would be a narrow group
indeed if we cannot iron out our difficulties after playing a large
number of these games under Sane, cooperative agreements between
coaches and officials. Unless this is done each section will develop
the sport along such peculiar lines that a coach or player cannot
transfer from area to another without great loss of efficiency.

One solution, then, is to SCHEDULE MORE INTERSECTIONAL GAMES.

A second move to standardize interpretations is found in
the activities of the National Basketball Coaches Association.
Through its bulletins and at its convention each area has an opportu-
nity to express its own opinions and to adjust these to practices in
other sections. The friendly centacts between coaches that develop