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

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 over 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.

In fiba rules, what if the result if the two teams had only two player each and all players committed fourth personal foul then the two players commit a double foul which team declared the winner?

Asked by Caiverson34 over 8 years ago

I dont know fiba rules, but i have never seen anything like this.

If a ball is loose on the baseline and two players both have possession but one player's hand is out of bounds, isn't it still a held ball because both players have contact?

Asked by Tarheel 1 almost 8 years ago

When a player is out of bounds (touching the baseline) and touches the ball it is a violation and it goes to the other team. If the simultaneous possession occurs before the player touches the line it is a held ball. If they happen at exactly the same time i would call the violation because it takes more than an instant to have a held ball.

If the ball is fixing to go out of bounds and my opponent tries to throw it off my leg wouldn't it be out of bounds on my opponent if I step out of bounds and become part of the out of bounds as the ball bounces off my leg?

Asked by Doug almost 8 years ago

The ball is not out bounds until it hits the floor out of bounds or a player who is out of bounds. If a player steps out of bounds and is the first to touch the ball, the other team gets a throw in. So no, a player cannot get a throw in by getting out of bounds and then getting hit with the ball.

Here is a question... On a dunk when you miss it and the ball bounces on the rim and you are still hanging in the rim and let it go and the ball bounces up and back in, why is that not basket interference?

Asked by jimmydellis@usa.net about 8 years ago

The rules allow a player to hold onto the rim for safety. If the player holds on excessively it could be ruled a technical foul or basket interference. So it comes down to thecref's judgement.

If you are in posession of the ball while in front court, and the opponent tries to snatch the ball and thus hits the ball but the ball hits you before the ball bounces off to backcourt, and you run and regain the posession is it a backcourt?

Asked by JT over 7 years ago

If the defender knocks the ball away and the offense player loses possession (and therefore team possession) then there is no backcourt violation even though the ball bounces off the offensive player.

Am 15 years of age and I am 5.8 feet tall.... I'm I tall enough to play bball at my age

Asked by Hayra:ummulkhairosman@gmail.com over 8 years ago

Well, in basketball size matters. So do skills. There sre always smaller guards playing at high school, college and pros but at that size you must be quick, and handle the ball well.

Having said that, if you love the game there is always a place to play (intramurals, house leagues, etc.). When i was.in college there was a university intramural league for players 5'9".and under. A guy in my dorm dominated the league ... he was 5'8", could drive to the basket, play the post and dunk. So if you love the game find a place where you can play.