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

Team B gets and1 but I, a player of team A ask the ref before Team B shoots the free throw how many shots. The ref told me 2. The shot missed, Team B got the rebound, as I wasn't boxing out. The refs talk it out, Team B gets the ball. Whats the call?

Asked by Ryan over 8 years ago

There are 5 correctable errors related to free throws and none of them involve your situation. The ref made a mistake, but team b gets the ball.

Is it considered traveling if 2 offensive players have simultaneous control of the ball?

Asked by Northwoods over 9 years ago

Only if one of them lifts a foot.

Also, how much thicker skin do you have to have at the end of games?

Asked by molio64 over 9 years ago

There is nothing worse than having an officiating partner with a chip on their shoulder, trying to be a tough guy, at any point in the game. Coaches need to respect an official, and usually that has to be earned over time. I think officials need thick skin always. Here's my red line: if a coach makes it personal in a derogatory way or if he questions my integrity then I would zap him right away, but I didn't call many technicals - I guess you would say I have thick skin. Guys who agitate coaches and call lots of Ts don't deserve to advance.

does the clock stop after a made basket in the last minute in a high school game?

Asked by tim over 8 years ago

No.

During a free throw try by team A team B calls player B1 over to his sideline. Player A1 goes over to teams B sideline and listens in. Is this a violation?

Asked by coach jones over 8 years ago

Not a violation, but it unsportsmanlike. The ref should shoo the player away.

When a player his line up For a foul shot and he is moving just his upper body to get the other person to violate Can the player do that

Asked by Jacob the official almost 9 years ago

It is unsportsmanlike and it should void the free throw.

thanks!!! your shot clock answer got me thinking...so any contact between ball & rim is a reset. if the player got fouled throwing the ball at the rim from directly under the hoop would it be a shooting foul?

Asked by midd44 over 8 years ago

As long as the refs believe it is a legitimate try, it is a shooting foul.