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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651 Questions

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Last Answer on September 20, 2019

Best Rated

Sometimes a ball will rest/balance itself perfectly on the bracket & stay.So what happens on a last sec. shot to tie/win the game. Seems like they'd just have to stay all night to see if it falls thru. What would you do in this situation.

Asked by Tony r almost 9 years ago

Give it a couple seconds to move. If not, the shot is over and so is the game.

A ball is thrown from one endline down court. It hits the far rim player grabs ball and scores. What is the call

Asked by maz over 9 years ago

The front of the backboard and ring are in bounds, so the basket is good.

Why do some refs say the wrong team color sometimes? In a recent rec league game, for example, the ref called a team in orange jerseys "red." The first time I saw this I figured it was colorblindness. Then it happened several other times.

Asked by Brian almost 9 years ago

It is just easier to say red than orange, or even blue than turquoise.

can i box out an opponent before their offensive player takes a shot ?

Asked by Kobe54 almost 10 years ago

Yes, because boxing out is getting to a spot on the floor before your opponent is entitled to that space, and doing it in a way that "blocks" the direct path of your opponent.

Player A is substituted before the 2nd free throw. Player B enters the game. Opponent is called for a violation during the 2nd free throw. Can Player A re-enter the game?

Asked by David Johns almost 9 years ago

A cannot reenter until the clock starts during a live ball.

Can an offensive player who is continuously dribbling be called for five seconds?

Asked by Frank about 9 years ago

The violation is that a player is "closely guarded" for 5 seconds. Note it includes a stationary player holding the ball, dribbling in place, and dribbling on the move. Being closely guarded by a defender for a continuous 5 seconds is a violation.

What happens if it is found that the name of a player is listed incorrectly after the book has been signed by an official the referee (either during or after the game?

Asked by Brooks almost 9 years ago

If during the game, it is technical foul if the team conveyed inaccurate information before the game to the official scorer.

After the game, when the refs leave the visual confines of the court there is nothing that can be done (unless the state allows) post game protests.