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

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.

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 about 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.

OK I am running to the basket pick up my dribble take two to three steps and throw it off the back board and dunk.
OK know I am on the side and throw it off the back board and it goes off the glass and its a travel.
Whats the difference?

Asked by jack greene about 6 years ago

I do not understand your scenarios, but the principle is in the judgement of the ref, was it a legitimate try for a basket? If so, then the shooter can retrieve the ball. If however it was not a shot, or try, then retrieving the ball is travelling.

Regarding a held ball in a streetball game. How is it called when two players have simultaneous possession? Since there is no possession arrow and no jump ball, what call is made and by whom?

Asked by Menchi almost 6 years ago

See the answer in the previous question.

Can t be called after the game is over for slamming the ball down inn the floor

Asked by Mikey almost 6 years ago

The officials responsibilities end when they leave the visual confines of the gym. However, there isn't any remedy they have if the game ends, but you slam the ball before they exit the gym. If the post game action is extreme and requires punishment the penalty would have to be applied by the coaching staff or the state athletic authority.

After I ended my dribble, and put down my left foot as my pivot foot. Can I step thru and jump off my right foot to do a layup? Some people keep saying you have to jump off with both feet to avoid to be called travel. Thank you very much.

Asked by Joseph almost 6 years ago

With the exception of a step to a jump stop, where neither foot can be a pivot, you are correct. Let's suppose your right foot is the pivot. You can step with your left foot and lift your pivot (right foot) and shoot or pass. It has to be this way or you could not shoot a lay up. However, if you touch the floor with your right foot after lifting it or drag your left before releasing the ball it is travelling.

what happens if a player hits a 3 pointer and while the ball is in the air there’s a foul underneath the basket on the defense? I know in the NBA the guy that got fouled would get 1 free throw. But our ref said that HIgh School rule is different. ???

Asked by Bill almost 6 years ago

Count the basket and enforce the common foul under the basket. In bound ball or free throws if in the bonus.