Being a basketball official involves teamwork.  A team functions best when each of its members know what is expected of them and what they should expect from their team mates. This page will attempt to describe mechanics and procedures that will enhance the professionalism of every official and will enable them to be a PARTNER.

 Pre-Game

Please arrive at least one half hour prior to your game time in order to have a pre-game meeting with your partner and be on the floor as required, 15 minutes before game time.  If work commitments interfere with this please contact your partner and advise them of your arrival time.  This will allow them to be informative to the coaches, to prepare the table crew and check out floor conditions while securing the game ball.

If you arrive late, please hustle and meet with your partner for a brief pre-game.  Review any ground rules that apply to the court on which you are playing, time out & foul procedures, and any other special condition(s).  If this necessitates delaying the start for 5 minutes do so, but inform the coaches and put the time on the clock.  Meet with your captains and coaches immediately upon late arrival.

When meeting with the coaches remind them of completing the evaluation forms after the game, and ensure that there are copies at the table with your names legibly written.  If you are starting late briefly inform the coaches with a quick apology- maybe something like – “Sorry for the delay coach.  I was delayed by work but we will endeavour to avoid any other delays.” – and then move off.

If you are able to arrive on time, i.e. 30 minutes prior to start time, use the pre-game conference suggestions from your rule book, or other supplied information to guide the discussion.  This is the responsibility of the Referee and, if conducted properly and professionally, will help you prepare mentally to do the job that you are being compensated for.

During your pre-game 15 minutes on the floor, station yourselves in the Center Circle, with the Referee observing Visitors, and the Umpire observing Home.  The Referee goes to the Table and pre-games the Table Crew – not a lecture on scoring and timing - but a brief check that they know how to handle things and then return to your position.  While there the Referee obtains the game ball, and after checking it, leaves it in the care of the Table Crew.

About the 5 minute mark each official gets the captain and Head Coach of their respective team and brings them to an area between the Table and the Center Circle for the conference.  Again, this is not a lecture or rules clinic.  Keep it simple and ask for their help in having subs report properly, breaking the Time Out huddles, and any other point about special ground rules.  Return to your original positions.

When the 3 minute warning is issued meet at center court and move together to the Visitor’s bench, followed by the Home bench, and introduce yourselves to the coach(es).  Go to the table ends, Referee on the Visitor end, Umpire on the Home end.  At 1 minute hang up your coat and go to your jump position.

Charles Ketter

20/10/02 - Revised Nov 1/10

Getting The Game Off To A Good Start

After the introduction, hang up your jacket and go to your starting position.  When the 15 second warning buzzer goes the Umpire will direct each team – First buzzer – Play Ball.  One of things we don’t want is an excess of buzzers and whistles, so after the announcement go to your jump position and be ready for the last horn.

The Umpire is responsible for the 8 non-jumpers and to blow down a bad toss so ascertain that the Table Crew is ready and then take a position that will allow the Timer to see the toss and tip.  Extend your arm in the ‘hold time’ position and observe the players. Chop time in when the ball is legally tapped and move in the direction of play as Lead and make a note of which team gained first control so you can check next time down the floor that the alternating arrow is properly set. If the tap is improper and is blown down check that the clock hasn't started. If it has have the Timer reset.

The Referee takes the ball and goes to the division line intersection opposite the table and waits for the teams to move into position. He/She then moves to the edge of the jump circle and calls out, ‘Ready (Visitor) team – Ready (Home) team.’  Prior to this he/she may point direction and call the team colour that is going each direction.  This is not really necessary as the officials are required to ensure that the 2 teams are lined up properly and should, therefore, know what direction they will be going.  Now that both teams are on notice whistle, drop the whistle, step in to the jumpers and put the ball up. If the toss is improper for any reason and the Umpire doesn't blow it down the Referee must! Make certain before starting anew that the clock is reset.

Mechanic Tips - Rev. Nov 1/10

The Reporting Box

When reporting a Foul or Time Out request to the scorer we are once more encouraged to use the proper reporting area on the floor.  It is no longer acceptable to merely move above the 3 point arc and away from the players.  We must now move to an area clear of the players and clear visual contact with the Table.  After making the call or receiving the request and following the necessary procedures at that point we will then move to the reporting area and establish eye contact with the table personnel.

At that point we report the necessary information to the scorer while standing still in that area.  When flashing numbers we use one hand in front of us while verbalizing the number.  Hesitate before leaving the reporting area to ensure that the information has been received.

Scorers and Timers Working On Our Team

Information sheets are available and copies have been handed directly to these personnel at several game sites now.  The referee is responsible for pre-gaming the Table Crew.  If he/she requests assistance from the Umpire, please do so.  However, if such a request is not forthcoming than the Umpire should take his/her position in the Center Circle to observe activity.

At quarter the Referee should check with the table crew that there are no problems with a simple request – Everything okay here? – If all is in order than he/she should join the Umpire across the floor at the Division Line intersect with the sideline. Do not linger at the table – do your business and get away - if you must hydrate do so quickly - let the table crew do their job.  If they require assistance they will ask.

When the first buzzer goes each official approaches the bench opposite them and indicates it is first buzzer and that the teams should move out to play.

At Half time the Referee shall verify that the score is in order, check for time outs and players with multiple fouls, while the Umpire stands back.  After directing the Scorer to set the arrow and depositing the ball in the care of the Table Crew exit the area – if only to review with the partner – what has occurred and what to anticipate in the second half.

Each quarter starts in the same way as described above.  There must be a verbal or buzzer indication 3 minutes prior to the start of play in each half.  After that there will only be the 15 second buzzer to indicate teams must leave the bench and proceed to play.  At the one minute mark the officials shall take their respective positions on the court and move to call the teams out on the 15 second buzzer.

One-Person Mechanics

By Lee Jones
September 10, 2001 - Rev Nov 1/10

One of the unfortunate aspects of working sub-varsity (below Senior) basketball is having to work games using one person mechanics. This is almost never a fun or easy way to work a game. Yet, when you are put in this situation, what do you do?

There are many ways to do it, and you may want to experiment with different options to see what works best for you. The following are some 1-person officiating mechanics which you may want to try.

A Quick Pre-Game Conference

The first thing that you should do is to bring both coaches and the game administrator together to make sure that everyone is in agreement that the game will be played under these circumstances. Set the parameters for the game at this time. This will give them an idea of what to expect if they agree to play the game with only one official. If they decide not to play the game, make sure that you contact your Supervisor or designate and inform them of the situation a

If the coaches and administrator ask whether or not you want to call the game alone, be honest with them. If you do not feel good about the situation, share that with them before they make their decision.

Be honest and upfront that you are going to miss calls because there will be things that you will not be able to see. Tell them that you may even ask them for help on out-of-bounds (OB) calls in front of them. This is a great time to stress and remind them of the importance of good sportsmanship and the example that they can and should set for their players.

The Captains Meeting

If the decision is for you to do the game solo, you will then need to talk to the captains and let them know. Ask them for help on OB calls. Tell them that if you do not know who caused the ball to go OB and both sides try to argue that it was off of the other team, then the possession arrow will be used.

If you tell them your expectations up front, they will work with you. Let them know that you expect the players to retrieve all loose balls OB, since you are observing the players on the court.

Front Court Floor Coverage

One method of floor coverage is to work from the top of the three-point arc from one end to the other on the same side as the coaches. This gives them an idea of what you may or may not see during the game.

For balls that go OB on the baseline and remain in front court, you have two options for handling the play. Pick one option and stay consistent with it for the entire game.

The first option is to let players know that there will be NO baseline front court throw-ins. If you select this method, bring all OB plays to the free throw line extended and put the ball in play at that spot.

The second option is to put the ball in play as normal. Bounce the ball to the thrower, but tell him/her to hold the ball until YOU are ready and blow the whistle. You then move out to your position on the floor and blow your whistle to start the play.

Free Throw Coverage

On free throws, you may need to get the players set and then administer every shot from the Trail position. If you had already decided to work table side for the entire game, then it is permissible to set up on that side of the court on free throws, also.

Presses

For pressing situations you will need to be no lower than the free throw line extended in the backcourt. If you go any deeper than this you will not have any chance to make a call if there is a long pass to the other end of the floor. This is the same reason that you do not want to work all the way to the baseline when you are in the front court or on baseline throw-ins.

Maintain Control Of The Game

In a game you are working solo you will need to blow your whistle more often than you might in a game using a normal two-person crew. You need to do this to maintain control, as the players will realize that there is only one of you and try to take advantage of the situation.

If you take charge early and call more fouls, it will help keep the crazy stuff in check. Accept the fact that there will be more free throws than in other games.

The coaches will understand the difficult situation that you have been placed in, but may sometimes forget in the heat of battle. Expect that, but keep your cool and remind them of your position and that you are working hard for them.

Here’s a quick story. I once had to work a high level varsity game by myself, and one of the coaches in the excitement of the moment yelled at me "You've got to get some help on that play!" I smiled, looked at him, and asked if he had any suggestions as to who should help me. He sheepishly ducked his head and apologized.

One-person officiating can be a no-win situation for an official, but it is not impossible to do if you work hard and smart. Remember: Call the Obvious! If you are put in the spot of working alone, adapt the ideas above to make your task just a little bit more manageable.

It will also make you appreciate your partner a lot more the next game you work.

ANTICIPATE THE PLAY NOT THE CALL.

To officiate effectively you must anticipate. Never anticipate fouls or violations but try to anticipate play situations. The following examples may give you some thoughts on a better understanding of what to anticipate in play situations.

Anticipate, particularly when the losing team applies a full court press. During transition from trail to lead, be conscious of helping your partner rather than sprinting to the end line. Also when coming up the backcourt as the trail official it may be necessary to remain behind the play if trapping defenses are applied to your right. It takes both officials to effectively cover pressing defenses; one official alone will have difficulty.

As the lead official, anticipate, if the offensive post player is being fronted by his defender. This popular coaching tactic opens up the possibility of a lob pass to the offensive postman cutting to the basket. Usually, responsibility for the lob pass remains with the defensive corner player who must switch to defend the play. As the lead official, if you see the offensive post man being fronted to prevent an entry pass, anticipate the lob pass. We know that if the lob pass is caught by the offensive post player, with even one foot on the floor, the switching defensive player does NOT need to give his opponent any time or distance. All he has to do is get there first with both feet on the floor facing his opponent. If contact takes place it cannot be the fault of the defensive player. However, most often on the lob pass, contact occurs BEFORE the offensive player has received the ball.

The lead official must determine whether or not the switching defensive player gave his opponent time and distance, before receipt of the ball, in order to stop or change direction. As the lead, when you see the post player being fronted, anticipate the lob pass but do NOT anticipate a foul.

From an outlet pass during a fast break, A-1 is running at top speed looking over the shoulder to receive the long pass near the mid-court line. Anticipate that defensive players could be moving in to create a potential charge / block situation just before or after reception of the pass. If A-1 catches the pass and has even one foot on the floor, B-1 does NOT have to give A-1 any time or distance only be initially facing with both feet on the floor. The fact that A-1 may have been looking back towards the passer and be unaware of B-1 standing in the pathway has nothing to do with the call. If contact occurs the foul cannot be on B-1. If however, as is often the case, A-1 has not received the ball and runs into B-1 , the case is more demanding. In this situation B-1 must give A-1 time and distance to stop or change direction. If B-1 did and contact occurs it is a charging foul by A-1. If B-1 did not it is a blocking foul. Anticipating on a long outlet pass should put the active official into the correct position to see the whole play and make a quality call.

In all collision situations referee the defense. Anticipate the play not a foul

  Return To Main