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

If a player has ran amd jump behind the 3 point line but release the ball by the free throw line, is the shot a 3 or a 2?

Asked by Lenricco about 7 years ago

A player is considered to be in the position on the court where he last touched the floor. So this would be a 3.

How could I get the ball at half court my team down 3 I called timeout we didn't get it at half court how can I for kids 12&13 yrs old

Asked by ray08ray@msn.com almost 7 years ago

In NFHS rules, after a timeout you get the ball spot for a throwin at the closest perpendicular point unlessthe ball was in the lane. A timeout never advances the ball like it does in the NBA.

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 almost 7 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.

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 over 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 defending a player on a drive to the hoop. As we approached the block, I went to contest the shot at the block, and was hit with a pick. Would this be a legal screen?

Asked by Bigs over 7 years ago

A few concepts: 1) a pick can be legally set anywhere on the court, 2) you as a defender are entitled to the vertical space if you have legally obtained that position, and 3) in NFHS rules a pick can be legally set within the defender's vision with no space requirements or, if outside the defender's vision the pick must allow the defender a step to avoid collision.

why was my last question taken off?!

Asked by Dirt eater over 6 years ago

What was itSelf explanatory

What should a referee do if a spectator stands up and comes on to the court to verbally dispute a call? Also, could a warning of a technical foul, or actually a technical foul be assessed against the spectator's team.

Asked by Hoopa35 over 6 years ago

You should not assess a technical foul unless the home administration does not execute your request to have him removed. See answer in previous question.