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

OK I am running to the basket pick up my dribble take two to three steps and throw it off the back board and dunk.
OK know I am on the side and throw it off the back board and it goes off the glass and its a travel.
Whats the difference?

Asked by jack greene over 7 years ago

I do not understand your scenarios, but the principle is in the judgement of the ref, was it a legitimate try for a basket? If so, then the shooter can retrieve the ball. If however it was not a shot, or try, then retrieving the ball is travelling.

If an offensive player attacks a defender and uses their off arm to lock the defender’s arm while driving. Who is at fault? The offensive player claims that the defender should move their feet quicker. The defender says they have the right to contact

Asked by g5esAXfpiBtujsGQDJdH almost 7 years ago

There is no requirement of a defender to move so that the offensive player avoids contact. This comes down to who has the right to the vertical space. Suppose the defender has obtained legal guarding position, and the offensive player initiates contact within that space it is a player control foul on the offense.

Hey if there is a team you don’t like foul while trying shoot a basket do you walk up right behind the player and blow your whistle in his or her ear? Do you have a team bias and do you show it?

Asked by Ding along ding almost 7 years ago

You should not have a bias, but if you do you should never show it. If I was assigning a game and I thought the ref had a bias, I would not put that ref on the game.

In streetball when two players posses the ball simultaneously (no jump balls in street) how is possession determined? Where I play the person that yells “first” gains possession. Also does the defender need both hands on the ball or just one?

Asked by Menchi almost 7 years ago

I could make up an answer, buy I don't know official streetball rules if they even exist. When I played as a kid, we required 2 hands on the ball and simultaneous possession for a first call. A better way is to award it to the defender.

Yesterday I asked about a held ball in streetball. Your answer was pretty useless. Can you direct me to the right person or place for a more “official” answer? ????

Asked by Menchi about 7 years ago

Sorry, my knowledge is about NFHS rules, and that is the focus of this space.

Defensive player intentionally kicks at a pass, but the ball hits his hand first, then the knee area. Is it a steal or a deadball with the offense retaining possession?

Asked by John Landauer over 6 years ago

If a player intentionally kicks the ball it is a violation. If the player misses kicking the ball it is a no call.

A personal foul was called. The coach threw her clipboard down on the playing floor and was given a technical. The tech. fouls were shot, then the personal fouls. The ball was played as a live ball after the 2nd pers. foul shot. Was this proper?

Asked by Scott about 7 years ago

No. Awarded free throws are to be administered in the order the fouls occurred. So, clear the lane and shoot the common foul shots if in bonus or if the offended was in the act of shooting. Then shoot the technicals, then take the ball out at half court.