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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Last Answer on September 20, 2019

Best Rated

I see too many arguments over camping out in the lane. I think lack of calling three second is the cause. Advantage in my experience has always been to the camper because I have to work harder to prevent entry passes in front of rim.

Asked by rimbreaker about 10 years ago

I respect your position but in my experience coaches mark down the refs who call a lot of 3 second violations - it just feels like a cheap call that interupts the game too often

If one or two NCAA basketball referees decides that the third referees call is incorrect or 'vindictive', can they overrule the third referee whether the third referee agrees to change the call or not?

Asked by Kamerch about 9 years ago

I am not sure about NCAA rules, but I suspect no ref can overrule another as in NFHS rules.

Team B full court press. Team A inbounder cant find a teammate, count approaches 5, fires the ball directly at Team B kid denying inbound pass. Team B kid is hurt. Game stopped and Team B player taken out of game. Some type of foul on Team A?

Asked by midd44 over 10 years ago

It is a legitimate basketball play to bounce the ball off of a defender hoping the ball then goes directly out of bounds. There is no prohibition against that. HOWEVER, if a player purposely throws the ball at an opponent to hurt or intimidate him, that is an unsportsmanlike technical foul. So, it is up to the judgement of the officials.

I am dribbling right handed as I am driving to about the free throw line and I raise my right leg up and pause for a split second and crossover right hand to left hand and go for layup on leftside. Is it ok to raise my right leg up while dribbling?

Asked by Doug almost 9 years ago

You cannot travel in yhe middle of legally dribbling. So yes you can!

After the game Coach receives a technical.
Officials confirm the scorers book and exit the court down a tunnel. Completely off of the court and only visual if you look down the tunnel. 1 official returns to call a 2nd technical. Is it legal?

Asked by JP over 9 years ago

First, once the game has ended a coach cannot be tagged with a technical foul UNLESS the game is tied before the technical foul and is heading into overtime. In Illinois, postgame inappropriate behavior should be written up to the state for further adjudication.

Furthermore, according to Rule 2, Section 2, Article 4, "The jurisdiction of the officials is terminated and the final score is approved when all officials leave the visual confines of the playing area. So, when all officials are in the tunnel leading away from the court their jurisdiction is done.

Can an offensive player who is continuously dribbling be called for five seconds?

Asked by Frank almost 10 years ago

The violation is that a player is "closely guarded" for 5 seconds. Note it includes a stationary player holding the ball, dribbling in place, and dribbling on the move. Being closely guarded by a defender for a continuous 5 seconds is a violation.

Now days knee pads are very common. We love the idea in that it promotes effort and aggressiveness but... if a player starts to slide, then grabs a loose ball and.. continues to slide another foot or three... Is this traveling?

Asked by Jeromy about 10 years ago

If a player has possession of the ball and slides it should be travelling.