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 player is chasing the ball down as it is going out of bounds. The defending player moves in between him and the ball to block him from getting to it. Is this OK? Can the defender move to do this or does he have to remain stationery?

Asked by Eddie over 9 years ago

The same rules apply to this situation as blocking out when rebounding. If the "inside" player moves to the spot where the other player is trying to get to, it is ok as long as the inside player gets there before the other player steps or jumps toward that spot. Under this definition, yes, the inside player can keep moving.

So my son is in little league.. Ref came up to him and told him he need toto learn the game and quit whining... Hes 11. He wad asking me a question before the ref came up to him. Is the ref allowed to do taunt a child like that and what can i do?

Asked by April almost 10 years ago

When I umped little league baseball, there were times when I admonished a player directly - most often a pitcher for disrespectful body language in protest (slamming his mitt after a call four call, shaking his head purposefully when not getting a strike called, etc). Depending on how grievous the infraction determined my intensity.  

One time while umping a 14 year old tournament game a pitcher was trying to get strike calls for balls 2 inches off the plate. After watching his demonstrations a few times, I stopped the game and took three paces toward the mound. I said loud enough for all to hear, "pitcher, you are not as good as Greg Maddox and I will not give in to your pitches off the plate. I suggest you challenge the hitters with strikes, or at least stop your sophomoric demonstrations. Or I can solve this for you and throw you out of the game". The coach came out to talk to me and instead of protesting he thanked me for humbling this young man.

In general, in basketball no good comes from arguing or negatively interacting with the crowd or the players. Mature refs avoid this.

High school rules
While an offensive player is scoring a two point shot a defensive player fouls going for rebound position. The offense is in the bonus. Is the fouled player awarded one and one on top of the made goal or only one shot?

Asked by Pete about 10 years ago

OK. So let's say the shooter comes down from his jump shot and touches the floor and the shot is in the air. This offensive player is no longer an "airborne shooter". If the defense then fouls this ex-airborne shooter, or any other offensive player while the ball is in the air here is how you administer it:

Count the basket if it goes in. Then administer the foul (one and one, or two if in bonus situations.NOTE: If the shooter is still an airborne shooter and is fouled, he is awarded one free throw if the ball goes in, two or three if the shot is no good.

Also, is there a rule from preventing a player from stepping into a jump on a tip-off(to obtain a higher jump)?

Asked by Casey about 10 years ago

A jumper can step into the jump but any other player cannot until the ball is tapped.

how is an airborne shooter different from an airborne player

Asked by jalisa about 9 years ago

Airborne shooter is a special definition because when a player jumps and releases the shot, he is considered to be in the act of shooting if he is fouled before landing on the floor.

Airbone player has no significance or definition.

In high school basketball is the ref a part of the court and who gains possession of the ball?

Asked by Janet almost 10 years ago

Yes. The ref is part of the floor where he is standing. If the ref is out of bounds and the ball hits him then the ball is out of bounds. If the ref is inbounds and the ball hits him play on.

A player slaps a ball handlers hand but there is no change of possession, No advantage to the defense so,,,no foul called, and I slap a players hand to frustrate him the rest of the game. My advantage, I'm not a dirty player but

Asked by rimbreaker over 9 years ago

The first time you slap him, I pass. The second time I call a foul even if there is no change in advantage because 1) you INTEND to get an advantage, and 2) if you are allowed to slap the player you are going to get punched and the game will deteriate. A good referee has each foul in context....you wouldn't last too long if I officiated your game and you started slapping players hands.