Basketball Referee

Basketball Referee

Rndballref

20 Years Experience

Chicago, IL

Male, 60

For twenty years I officiated high school, AAU and park district basketball games, retiring recently. For a few officiating is the focus of their occupation, while for most working as an umpire or basketball referee is an avocation. I started ref'ing to earn beer money during college, but it became a great way to stay connected to the best sports game in the universe. As a spinoff, I wrote a sports-thriller novel loosely based on my referee experiences titled, Advantage Disadvantage

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651 Questions

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Last Answer on September 20, 2019

Best Rated

How far can a player go in arguing a call before you'll give him a technical?

Asked by moris about 14 years ago

I have thick skin, and in twenty years I have tossed maybe 2 players (more coaches for sure!). I have always looked at like this: If a player disagrees and argues with a call I will not T him up, especially if the player approaches with respect. And I will always explain my call even if I have booted it. What can never be tolerated is any personal attack, which usually is designed to intimidate the ref. More than anything a player's actions after a close call does determine how you view the player on the next one (we are just human). The tougher situation when you have to be calm is when a player deliberately acts to show you up - some refs automatically T a player, but I feel like that is putting your ego in front of the game.

I am a young official in my first year of refereeing basketball. In what instances does the referee blow the whistle prior to putting the ball at the disposal of inbounding player after a dead ball situation?

Asked by FJ22 over 11 years ago

I was taught that the only times to blow your whistle before administering a throw-in is after a time out or before the resumption of play to start a new quarter.

I would also blow the whistle if there was a long delay before a normal throw-in (such as confusion at the scorer's table), but certainly not on most normal throw-ins.

Assuming no traveling, is it legal for a player to jump off the back of another to dunk in a game? Like if one player crouches down and the other springboards off his back?

Asked by mugsy about 14 years ago

It is absolutely not a legal play to use a teammate or an opponent to leverage a jump. By the way, a couple years ago players started showing up with shoes that had built-in springs in the heels - also illegal.

Ball heading out of bounds towards team A coach who is standing in the coaching box. The coach makes a natural reflex to catch the ball before it hits him. Player B simultaneously was trying to make a play on the ball. Is this a T on coach?

Asked by Jake over 12 years ago

No T.  The coach is where he should be, and there he is considered out of bounds -  so when the ball touches him it is OB.  However, it borders on unsportsmanlike conduct if the coach purposely grabs it to prevent the other team from making a play.  In any case I personally would not call a T.

Has anyone ever attempted to bribe you in any way?

Asked by skyhook about 14 years ago

No one has ever offered me a bribe. Darn!

So I'm a basketball starter and I don't know the basics,don't've a coach and I suck all my teamates are experienced and instead of teaching or helping they humiliate me I don't want to quite I want help

Asked by Yari over 10 years ago

You should spend time in 2 places: 1) the library which will have many books about fundamental skill development, and 2) a park where you can hone these skills. If you lack basic skills how are you a starter?

If i use my hand to cover above the ball while blocking, is it a foul ?

Photo below:

https://scontent-sin1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/t1.0-9/11873769_603356226473260_5119252297836444102_n.jpg?oh=2d1cc071751c4f6162384282521fbe0b&oe=5682BA4E

Asked by AnhHai about 11 years ago

The correct call for this picture is "held ball". Or people call it "jump ball". A held ball is when two opponents are holding the ball together or pushing the ball simultaneously. No foul,call it a jump ball.