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

A few people (hating or having criticism) say I shuffle my feet while I shoot (off catch or dribbling). To adjust, I dribble once before I shoot. How many steps can I legally take to shoot after I put the ball on the ground?

Asked by Windell Lyday about 6 years ago

During a dribble you cannot travel. Once you pick up your dribble, one or both feet become your pivot foot. You can step with your non pivot foot and then lift your pivot but it is travelling if you put your pivot foot down again or if you move your non pivot foot. So, if you end your dribble or just catch the ball, then shuffle your feet it is travelling. Shuffling your feet is a bad habit that can only result in travelling.

why was my last question taken off?!

Asked by Dirt eater almost 6 years ago

What was itSelf explanatory

Should the ball be returned to referee after out of bounds call or can it be in bound right away ?

Asked by Travis over 6 years ago

In NFHS rules, a referee must handle the ball after dead ball situations except after made baskets. In amateur international rules, the ref does not have to handle the ball on out of bounds violations.

Can a game be counted in a tournament if the rules are not fully in force? What if, by common agreement, no free throws are shot? Are the games official?

Asked by Monte Dutton almost 6 years ago

In NFHS rules, there are things left to the states such as video review or suspension terms when a player or coach is ejected. I have worked tournament games where there was a 20 point lead and by tourney rules the 4th quaerter clock was running even after a whistle. Best bet is to check with your state or tournament staff to see if your alteraction is acceptable.

I was just at a rec game for 12u and while my son shot a free throw the opposing coach slammed his clipboard down. The ref gave him a technical, is there an actual rule about bench distractions during free throws.

Asked by Ben over 6 years ago

No specific rule, but the officials must use their judgement as to unsportsmanlike conduct.

In streetball, how is a “held ball” handled? My forever understanding is that since there are no jump balls or possession arrows, the first player to call either “ball” or “first” gets awarded the ball. Help me end this argument.

Asked by Menchi over 5 years ago

I am no expert on streetball, but when I was a kid we yelled first on a held ball.

if a junior high basketball player gets hurt by hitting the floor and is down for a minute, gets up and goes to the bench to sit out. Is he allowed to come back in?

Asked by Jamie almost 6 years ago

He can come back in the game unless the injury was to his head and there was a possible concussion. If there is a possible concussion, it will take a doctor's concurrence to clear the player to return.