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

Does the home team have a right to "the last change" ie, the right to match the visitor's substitutions, as in hockey? If yes, is it a custom or a rule? How does it work on a neutral court, such as during a tournament? TY

Asked by RodK over 6 years ago

There is no provision for last substitution, but preventive officiating would slow down when a sub is called in to allow the other team to counter. Remember, once in, a sub cannot come out until after the ball is live and the clock is started.

Now we are allowing players to take two steps going to the basket not shooting the ball but passing it off. My understanding is you get 11/2 0r today 2 steps on a layup. What's the difference in taking two step anytime an passing it.

Asked by Joe over 7 years ago

The traveling rule is not stated in terms of 1 1/2 or 2 steps. Here is the rule:

1) if you catch the ball with both feet on the floor, either foot can be the pivot.

2) if you catch the ball in the air and land simultaneously on both feet, either can be the pivot.  If one foot hits the floor first it must be the pivot.  However, if you catch the ball in the air hop on one foot then land on both feet, neither can be a pivot.

3) once you have established your pivot foot you can lift the pivot but must pass or shoot before the pivot returns to the floor. (and of course you cannot hop on your non-pivot foot if the pivot foot is in the air).

The ball was passed to me. It was a high pass. I needed to jump, but the defender impeded my ability to jump. He didn't step on my foot, but his foot was above mine in a way that didn't allow me to jump when my foot met his on the way up. a foul?

Asked by xian about 7 years ago

See answer above. My advice, jump vertically and if there is contact your opponent should be charged.

When player makes a pass, he can’t be the first one to touch the ball. But how do you define it’s a pass, is it the intention, pick up the ball with 2 hands, or palm ball then throw to another player (basically dead ball is it a dead ball)? (q1/2)

Asked by Antuxity almost 7 years ago

It depends on whether the dribble ended (being picked up, palming the ball, etc) then you cannot be the first to touch the ball except if the player accidentally drops the ball - called a muff.

What happen if at the beggining of the game duringbthe tip off when the referee throw the ball in the air nobody touches the ball and the ball start bouncing and nobody does anything ....is a stupid question but i will like to know....

Asked by Michael Romero over 7 years ago

Administer the jump ball again. If it occurs again, issue a warning to each player, and if it happens again issue a double technical. I have never seen that.

Have you ever had something thrown at you?

Asked by Your best bro about 7 years ago

No, not me. But a fellow referee told me once the visitors thought he was a homer, and people threw pennies on the floor at him.

fter I ended my dribble, and put down my left foot as my pivot foot. Can I step thru and jump off my right foot to do a layup? And is NBA and FIBA allowed this move? Sorry for asking the same question twice!

Asked by Joseph over 7 years ago

You need to be precise with your question. The rulebook does not define stepping through. It lays out the rules based on what can be done after you establish your pivot foot. So again, if your left foot has been established as your pivot, then you can step on your right foot and lift your left. You cannot then put down your left or drag your right.