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

Is it Outabounds if the ball hits the back of the backboard

Asked by Hodgkin about 8 years ago

Yes. Also on a rectangular backboard if yhe ball goes over the top it is out of bounds.

just wanted to say thank you for answering my questions !! Your Awesome!!! Thanks again.

Asked by Doug over 7 years ago

You are welcome!

Can a defender put up one arm close his chest to protect him from an offense player drive-in? basically trying to protect the chest from a strong shoulder contact, does it consider a foul?

Asked by Alan over 8 years ago

Yes, he can if the arm is within his vertical space. However, once the defender pushes the arm forward and moves the offensive player (arm bar) then it is a foul,

Sorry, does that mean I can't go up on the balls of my feet ? I was just wanting to get a little extra fake like I am going to jump and shoot but don't.

Asked by Doug over 7 years ago

Yes you can go on the ball of your pivot foot without traveling. Most of the time players would use the ball of their pivot foot to well, um pivot!

Is there a time frame that a Coach has to sit down after getting an unsportsmanlike technical foul? This is in a Varsity Boys Basketball game.
Coach gets a 'T' the official walks away and his partner tries to get him to sit down. How long do we wait

Asked by Mole the Ref over 7 years ago

It should never get to this but, after a minute or two the coach should be advised that he is risking a second direct technical foul and if he refuses to sit down, he will be ejected from the gym along with that foul.

There is no time specified, but give him a moment to calm down and comply, and if necessary then t him up.

Zero tolerance for self defense is an awful rule. What if that kid is a goon with a black belt? It could take the whole team to stop him. Ejecting everyone who could defend against or discourage a goon only encourages teams to have and use goons.

Asked by rodk about 8 years ago

Yes, in the extreme you are right. Most bench players enter the court to fight so the rule is constructed to contain any fisticuffs. But you sight a legit situation where they may save someone, so maybe it should be a judgement call.

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 almost 8 years ago

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