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

Airborne player A-1 attempts a 3-point field goal. After returning to the floor B-1 fouls A-1. The try is unsuccessful. The official awards A-1 three free throws. Is the official correct?

Asked by mIKE almost 11 years ago

No. After returning to the floor the player is no longer in the act of shooting. It should be a non-shooting common foul.

The player catches the ball under the basket with both feet planted. He then hops backwards landing on both feet and shoots the layup. is this a travel?

Asked by Coach Joe about 10 years ago

As you describe it, it is traveling. If you catch the ball with both feet on the ground, when you lift one of the feet the other becomes the pivot. But if a player hops, neither foot is a pivot and it is traveling.

What are the rules and restrictions for a player in-bounding the ball NOT after a made basket? Is there a 3-foot radius that allows them to move backwards? Do they have to establish a pivot or can they move both feet?
Thanks

Asked by Confused Player almost 11 years ago

A player must have at least one foot ON or Above a 3 foot wide (parallel to the out of bounds line) during the throw in. He/she may move forward or back all the way to the wall or bleachers perpendicular to the out of bounds line. There is no requirement to maintain a pivot foot on a throw in, nor can you travel. The violation occurs when the throw in player exits a 3 foot wide area along the boundary line before the throw in.

Youth basketball (13-14) ball is in play & scorekeeper hits buzzer in error; some players continue the game (clock still running) & no whistle was blown. A basket is made & then the whistle blows & referee claims no basket. Was this a correct call?

Asked by Debbie about 11 years ago

Players should play until a whistle is blown. In your scenario the refs made two mistakes: 1) if there is not an advantage by the team in possession when the buzzer sounded, they should blow the whistle and find out what the timekeeper wanted, and 2) once they let the game continue then they should count all activities until the whistle.

In a bonus situation (single or double), player A gets fouled and has to shoot free throws for the orange team, but instead player B for the orange team goes and shoots for him and makes them both. If there is a call, what is it?

Asked by Anonymous about 10 years ago

Putting the wrong player on the line for free throws is one of 5 correctable errors IF it is recognized by an official no later than during the first dead ball after the clock has properly started. If the wrong person was awarded free throws and it is recognized in a timely fashion, the free throws are cancelled and the correct player is awarded the free throws.So, for example the wrong player makes one of two free throws and then the clock is started and a team makes a field goal (the ball is dead after a made basket). Once the other team obtains the ball to put it in play (the ball is live when it is at the disposal of the throw in player) it is too late to correct the error.You can see what a mess this is - best advice for officials, get it right the first time.

Can any set of circumstances in a school game besides a foul on a three point attempt result in an award of 3 free throws? I saw it in a HS game and did not understand what happened. Thanks.

Asked by rodk about 10 years ago

How about a common foul after a dead ball technical? Or, a 2 shot free throw sequence where there is a violation by the defense on one of the free throws which is missed and awarded a do over?

Can I email you a video and can you tell me if it is travelling? I have an ongoing argument and I need to put it to rest. Thank you.

Asked by Mike over 10 years ago

Sure. put in your email address and I will contact you.