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

are you allowed to fake a pass into an opponent's face? is it a foul? technical? or play on?

Asked by midd44 over 7 years ago

Assuming it is not considered taunting, play on.

What should a referee do if a spectator stands up and comes on to the court to verbally dispute a call?

Asked by Hoopa35 almost 7 years ago

In NFHS rules there is a designated function/person called home administration. The referee should walk away from the fan, and go to the home administrator and demand that the administrator ejects that fan from the gym. The administrators always comply because the ref should refuse to continue until the fan leaves the gym.

wow....you are not allowed to put a hand in an opponent's face but you are allowed to fake a pass into their face!!! that needs to be looked at by the rules committee..thanks for your answer

Asked by midd44 over 7 years ago

You are welcome!

During a Louisville game, there was a loose contested ball. The Louisville player batted it a couple times off the floor and picked it up. He turned to the referee and asked "can I dribble?' The referee nodded 'yes.' Is this fair covered in the rule

Asked by James Ash over 6 years ago

There is nothing prohibiting an official from answering a players question. However the ref should use judgement to not appear to be favoring either team by "coaching" a player.

There is a picture circulating on facebook of a young man who takes two steps, two very long steps to make a dunk. On his way up very last step his back leg his back leg dragged. Is this considered to be a traveling call or not a traveling call?

Asked by Guy about 7 years ago

If you establish your left foot as a pivot, the move to your right foot and lift your left to this point you are ok. But as soon as your left touches the floor it is travelling. Dragging your pivot foot is like touching the floor again, and so it is travelling.

I have a question: On a loose ball, can a player grab it with two hands, throw the ball to the end and go after it? If yes, what is legal and illegal to do once the player catches up to the ball?

Asked by Anthony over 6 years ago

The throw is the start of a dribble. If you pick it up the dribble ends and you are subject to travelling violations if you lift your pivot foot illegally. You can also continue dribbling if you can continue with one hand.

In my middle school team's game, a 70' heave at the end of the 2nd quarter (immediately before the buzzer) bounced on the floor and almost went in. Would the shot have counted had it gone in?

Asked by Tom over 7 years ago

No it wouldn't count. If a try leaves a shooters hand before time runs out, it can count until the try is over. The try is over 1) when it goes through the basket, or 2) when it is clear the try will not go in. When it hits the floor, the try is over.