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
In youth basketball it is common to be biased against the biggest kids. It is unfair, but it happens. If there is a silver lining it is that your son will be well prepared for AAU and high school rough play. Although unfair, it is better for your son to toughen up then for him to not develop because he is currently bigger than his teammates. Read the book, "Play Their Hearts Out" for a real story of the next LeBron who was the best player in the country in middle school, but flattened out at 6'2" as a senior in high school.
Share Answer: 
The direction of the pivot foot vis a vis the nonpivot makes no difference as you can pivot 360 degrees on your pivot. If your right foot is the pivot you can step with your left and then jump picking up your right foot off the floor and it is legal. I think of it this way - if you were not allowed to ever lift your pivot foot how could you shoot a layup? Direction does not matter, you can make this move as a fadeaway and it is still not travelling (but your coach might bench you!).
Share Answer: 
The coach (assuming he has not been seatbelted with a technical foul prior to this) is entitled to stand inside the coach's box, which is out of bounds. If the coach was out of bounds or his foot was on the line the collusion, though unfortunate, is not a technical foul. If the coach was squarely in bounds which casued the collision then it should be called a T. Borderline, I would pass.
Share Answer: 
The ball is always awarded to the team opposite of the one who touches the ball last. The rim or backboard does not erase the last person to touch the ball. So in your question the defensive player is the last to touch the ball (ever so slightly) and the ball goes back to the shooter's team.
Share Answer: 
Help Desk Technician
What's the closest you've come to "losing it" on someone you were helping?
Bouncer
How often would you find yourself in real danger?
Forensic Scientist
When did you know you wanted to work with the dead?
The simple answer is that if the contact you are describing is material it should definitely be called a foul. A defender can use such contact to hold an opponent or to indicate which way a play will go (which is why handchecks need to be called more often).
Share Answer: 
Traveling in college is defined the same way as in high school. So the answer to your question depends on how the player caught the ball and if he is entitled to a pivot foot.
1) if you catch the ball with both feet on the floor, either foot can be the pivot.
2) if you catch the ball in the air and land simultaneously on both feet, either can be the pivot. If one foot hits the floor first it must be the pivot. However, if you catch the ball in the air hop on one foot then land on both feet, neither can be a pivot.
3) once you have established your pivot foot you can lift the pivot but must pass or shoot before the pivot returns to the floor. (and of course you cannot hop on your non-pivot foot if the pivot foot is in the air).
So to answer your question with an illustration, imagine catching the ball midair (or ending a dribble) your right foot lands first (that is your pivot) then you step forward with your left foot lifting up your right, and before your right hits the floor you shoot a layup. This is a legal basketball move.
People want to say that you get 1 & 1/2 steps or you get 2 steps. Neither of these are correct. It depends on whether you are entitled to a pivot or not, and then you can lift up the pivot and onto your non pivot but you must shoot or pass before the pivot hits the floor.
Share Answer: 
In a local baseball league, they implemented a rule that if a player or parent was tossed from a game, the player was ruled ineligible until the parent umpired a game at his/her level of choice. The league has a handful of letters of apology from parents who tried (quite unsuccessfully) to umpire games.
If I might be so bold as to suggest that you become patched for basketball in your state, attend summer camp to get trained, and work some games next year. You will gain a better understanding of the game, probably help your daughter's game and you will watch her play a little calmer.
Share Answer: 
-OR-
Login with Facebook (max 20 characters - letters, numbers, and underscores only. Note that your username is private, and you have the option to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
(A valid e-mail address is required. Your e-mail will not be shared with anyone.)
(min 5 characters)
By checking this box, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to Jobstr.com’s Terms and Privacy Policy.
-OR-
Register with Facebook(Don't worry: you'll be able to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
Browse Jobs
Host a Q&A
Search
Submit Your Question
Host a Q&A
Last 7
