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

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

651 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on September 20, 2019

Best Rated

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.

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.

Are players allowed to disagree with calls if they are not directing their comments to the ref but to players on their own team?

Asked by Riley over 10 years ago

Yes as long as they do it without trying to show up the ref. For example, the player turns to his bench and says loudly, "that fat a$$ is the worst ref we've ever had". That would be a t.

Why are so insulting to the pro leagues? You sound exactly like a typical high school type. The pros have the best players playing at the highest level, putzo. A WMCA pickup game?umbass remark. Diana DTaurasi, Sheryl Swoopes = remarkable players

Asked by Adam over 10 years ago

The nba has the best basketball players in the world, as you suggest. No question. But that doesnt mean the pro game is the best spectator game to watch. I dont like the fact that rarely do defensive teams press because ball hanflers are so good, i dont like the calculated fouling of poor free throw shooters, i dont like the isolation half court game, the lack of fast break basketball ..particularly in the eastern conference and physical moving screens. I respect anyone's preferences, including a stranger who calls me putso. If you like the nba go watch it.

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.

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 about 9 years ago

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