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

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 almost 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.

2 Questions About Inbounds Location:
1) After an intentional foul, is the ball inbounded at half court every time or at the spot of the foul?
2) On an over and back call, is it inbounded where it is touched or always at half court?
Thanks!

Asked by Bryce almost 8 years ago

In both cases, nearest spot where the foul/violation occurred.

5. My Question: Is the pivot foot the 1st step or 2nd step
I read somewhere that player who lands with one foot first may only pivot using that foot.
Is it the 1st foot or 2nd foot that becomes the pivot foot when you land.

Asked by Doug over 7 years ago

If you catch the ball in the air, land on one foot and hop to both feet, then neither os the pivot foot. However, generally, yes. Your first foot down is your pivot foot.

Team A is in bounding the ball. And team B is guarding the inbounded but is getting to close and crossing the line. Is this delay of game? And if so what happens when you call delay of game?

Asked by Riley Prior over 7 years ago

On the first infraction of ctossing thru the throw in boundary, a warning dhould be called and the scorer should note that in the book. It is a warning unless the defender reaches thru and contacts the player or the ball.

The second violation of any teammate reaching thru without contact or the first contact reaching thru with contact is a technical foul.

There was a question from years ago regarding how many players are required to play? You said down to 2 but that is incorrect.. down to 1 if in official's mind that team still has a chance to win! Throw in would have to deflect off another player.

Asked by TechGuy almost 8 years ago

Right from the NFHS rule book, "When there is only one player participating, the team shall forfeit the game, unless the referee believes that the team has an opportunity to win the game."

So it is possible to play down to one player, but entirely impractical. The other team, after scoring would simply move to the half court line and wait for 5 second throw in violations, or they would surround the ball and make the lone player foul. If I were refine the game I would call forfeit unless there was a sizable lead and little time left for the other team to catch up.

Can the player who saved the ball from going Out of bounds be the first player to touch it when he comes back in bounds

Asked by Tim about 8 years ago

The rule prohibits a player from voluntarily leaving the court. so if the player went out of bounds purposely to get around a defender it is a violation. If however the player jumped to save the ball and landed out of bounds, he may step back in and gain control of the ball. He cannot pick up the ball and dribble, because throwing the ball while saving it constitutes the start of a dribble.

I love basketball and I'm good but it seems like everytime I play a game of 5 on 5 I tend to get nervous and have a lack of confidence . I'm very good but I just get nervous any suggestions on how to not get nervous ?

Asked by Josh about 8 years ago

Are you nervous playing organized basketball? The way to calm your nerves and to hone your skills is to play basketball against similar age/skills outside in a park where you just play for fun. That experience transfers to organized games.