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

One of our junior high players was called for travelling while shooting a free throw. Is there such a thing?

Asked by Bleacher Coach about 9 years ago

No. There is no such violation. Likewise, there is no travelling on a throw in.

When I basketball official gets in the way of the game and the ball is rolling towards out of bounds and the players can't get to it because the official is in the way then the ball goes out of bounds what should you call

Asked by Kevin about 8 years ago

The ref is part of the floor. If he gets in the way there is no relief. The ball is awarded to the opposite team who touched it last.

What happens if it is found that the name of a player is listed incorrectly after the book has been signed by an official the referee (either during or after the game?

Asked by Brooks about 8 years ago

If during the game, it is technical foul if the team conveyed inaccurate information before the game to the official scorer.

After the game, when the refs leave the visual confines of the court there is nothing that can be done (unless the state allows) post game protests.

Offensive player drives and shoots a layup. Defensive player goes for the block, whiffs, but slaps the backboard in the process. The ball comes off the front rim due to the backboard shaking, but the defensive player didn't touch the ball. Goaltend?

Asked by Philip about 9 years ago

The call is defensive basket interference. Award the points but no foul unless the defender intentionally slapped the backboard.

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 8 years ago

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

Regarding sliding or hopping on the non-pivot foot, I understand that a traveling call appears obvious, but can you tell me which of the 7 articles in the college rules under 'Section 6 Traveling', applies? I couldn't find any!

Asked by JJinVista about 9 years ago

I focus on NFHS rules. In the high school rule book it states in Rule 4 Section 44 Article 3, "After coming to a stop and establishing a pivot foot,

a) The pivot foot may be lifted but not returned to the floor before the ball is released.b) If the player jumps, neither foot may be returned to the floor before the ball is released.c) the pivot foot may not be lifted before the ball is released to start a dribble.

section b rules out hopping or sliding giving up both the pivot and the non pivot.

In a high school game and a players shoe comes off. What is the obligation of the official to stop the clock or halt play when the clock is stopped to allow the player to put the shoe back on.

Asked by MN official over 8 years ago

No obligation. The circumstances where an official must halt play is imminent danger or glasses/contact lenses on the floor. For example if A1 is injured but not in imminent danger, the officials should allow Team B to finish their attack until they back off the original play. As soon as B's drive ends or if they kick the ball back out to reset, then the officials should stop play for the downed player. If the player was bleeding or about to be trampled, then they should halt play immediately

If your shoe falls off, play continues.