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

Player is in-bounding ball - fakes a pass that cross plane and defensive player touches the ball - what is the call? Also, is defense allowed to steal or knock ball since ball crossed the plane but still in possession of in-bounder?

Asked by rph almost 10 years ago

If an in bounder crosses the inbounds plane the defender has the right to touch the ball or rip it out.

Do you think 3 second rule should be abandoned like palming and traveling? Would it change the game?

Asked by srkaren10587@msn.com over 9 years ago

No, it should be called only when it affects the outcome. By the way, travelling and palming (carrying the ball) are still violations.

Offensive player catches the ball and jumps like he's shooting a jumpshot (has yet to dribble). Can he use his dribble while in the air and drive or is putting the ball on the floor now a travel?

Asked by Philip over 9 years ago

The player needs to begin the dribble before lifting the pivot foot, so if a player jumps before dribbling he only has 2 options...shoot or pass before landing on the floor. Starting a dribble after lifting your pivot foot is travelling although not usually called in the nba.

should i still catch or fallow it up the ball after i take a shot without touching it on the ring or board?but i still cannot dribbling it.

Asked by marvz about 10 years ago

In NFHS rules a shooter can be the first to retrieve an "air ball shot" as long as it was a legitimate try for a basket (in the opinion of the officials).

To clarify; if the ball is rolling towards out of bounds, a player stops it and he goes out of bounds ; can he come back in and pick it up?

Asked by Donny about 9 years ago

Again, if in the opinion of the referee, the player purposely stepped out of bounds then it is a violation. If his momentum carried him out, or if he was pushed then no violation.

the other team has 5 team fouls and fouls one of are players after the call a double tech is called 1 on each team do we still keep the ball or does it go to alternate possesion

Asked by murph about 9 years ago

It goes to the possession arrow.

Can a ref officially end a game before time has expired - say in the event of an uncontrolled crowd or team?

Asked by DB almost 10 years ago

Yes. If a referee deems conditions unsafe for players, spectators or officials he should notify home management that the refs can no longer work under current conditions. Without refs the game should not be played.