OFFICIATING A BASKETBALL GAME

INTRODUCTION
Basketball is the most popular sport not only in the Philippines but throughout the world.
It is a team sports so the cooperating effort of all the members is necessary to achieve the goal
of winning. It is also a game that follows certain rules and regulations. Because it is played at high
speed, injuries happen. We cannot avoid violations on the part on the parts of the players,
coaches, and managers. This is the reason why officials are very much needed to ensure the
safety of the players and the validity of game results. It is, therefore, the duty of the officials to
impose to the fullest such rules and regulations.
Officials in a Basketball Game and their Duties and responsibilities
A. Basketball officials should be committed to fulfill the following responsibilities:
 See that the game proceeds within the context of the rules of the game. Rules are
directions laid down for the players and officials to follow.
 Interfere as seldom as possible, never seeking to become the focus of attention.
 Set and maintain a peasant atmosphere for the enjoyment of the game.
 Show concern for the players.
How to become a Basketball Official?
Basketball officiating is great if you are interested in being constantly active and closely involved
with the game action. This are the things to consider:
 Physical Demands
Basketball officials are moving constantly. There are no opportunities for rest while play
is ongoing because basketball officials need to adjust their positions constantly to see the
action as player positions shift. You will run between 1 and 4 miles during a competitive
basketball game. Most basketball games take place indoors, but because of the activity
level, hydration is something basketball officials take seriously.
 Mental Demands
Basketball officials are also closer to players, coaches and the fans than in other sports
and must be able to focus and ignore distractions. You will also need to be able to handle
hearing verbal criticism from the stands and sometimes communicate with coaches.
 Training
Basketball requires officials to move different positions around the court, be responsible
for watching different parts of the action depending on where they are. To maximize your
success, you’ll have to learn all these positions well. You can train yourself with rulebooks
and manuals. You should also join a local officials association where you can expect
lectures, demonstrations and exercises that will prepare you for what you’ll face.
 Certification
Here’s the path for starting and continuing your officiating career:
Youth Level - Many officials start at the youth level where you can potentially work
multiple games per day on the weekends for schools and independent organization,
enhancing your earning potential.
High School Level – After working youth games, you may feel you have the skills and
confidence to work higher levels of competition. You may also start at this level if you
have a good grasp of the rules and/or experience as a player.
College Level – College basketball officiating is highly competitive. Attending officiating
camps is an important tool to improve your officiating. Not only can you learn from
experienced veterans, you can be seen by those who assign games at this level, most
often conference commissioners or officiating supervisors.
Professional – The NBA and WNBA are the two of the world’s premier sports and
entertainment enterprises. They recruit referees from around the globe to become part
of the team. Candidates are evaluated by the NBA scouting group.
B. Who are the officials in a basketball game? What are their duties and responsibilities?
 REFEREE
- Inspects and approves all equipment to be used during the game.
- Designates the game clock officials, 24 second device operator, stop watch
operator, and recognizes the table officials.
- Administers a jump ball at the center circle to start the game.
- Has the power to stop a game when conditions warrant it.
- Carefully examines the scoresheet at the end of playing time for the second and
third period or at any time he feels necessary.
- Makes the final decision whenever necessary or when the officials disagree.
- Has the power to make decisions on any point especially if covered by the rule.
 UMPIRE
- Assist the referee
- Make decisions on violations committed by the players, coaches, assistant coaches,
or team followers.
 SCORER AND ASSISTANT SCORER
The scorer and assistant scorer uses the official scoresheet to:
- Keep a record of the names and numbers of every player of the competing teams.
When there is a violation of the rules pertaining to a submission of a line – up
substitution or numbers of players, he shall notify the nearest official as soon as
possible.
 - Keep a chronological running summary of points scored and to record the field goals
and free throws made. Chronological running summary means score recorded in
sequential order.
- Record the personal and technical fouls called on each player. He must also notify
the referee immediately when the 5th foul or the 6th foul is called on any player.
- Record the technical fouls called on each coach and shall notify the referee when a
coach must leave the game.
- Record the time outs and notify the coach through the official
- Approve substitutions.
 TIMEKEEPER
- Keeps a record of playing time and stoppage time.
- Starts the stopwatch and sounds the signals to start the play.
- Starts and stops game clock in accordance with the rules.
 24 SECOND OPERATOR
- Starts, restarts, stops, and resets the 24-second device.
 COMMISSIONER
- Assists the officials but does not interfere with their decisions.
- Serves as the consultant during the game.

What are the basic positions of Referee/Officials?

All officials should maintain the semblance of a wide triangle to
cover the court.
 TRAIL – Same side as the Lead and closest to half-court.
 LEAD – Ball side and on the end line.
 CENTER – Foul line extended and opposite Lead and Trail.

C. Hand Signals https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_(basketball)

It is advised that officials, coaches, and team followers be familiar with hand signals.
These serves as a means of communication by officials and coaches during the game.
 Number of players
 No. 00
and 0 No. 24

First reverse hand shows number 2

Both hands show Right hand shows
for the decade digit - then open hand
number 0 number 0
shows number 4 for the units digit

No. 1 - 5
No. 40

First reverse hand shows number 4

for the decade digit - then open hand
Right hand shows number 1 to 5 shows 0 for the units digit

No. 6 -
No. 62
10

First reverse hands show number 6

Right hand shows number 5,left hand for the decade digit - then open hand
shows number 1 to 5 shows 2 for the units digit
No. 11 -
No. 78
15

First reverse hands show number 7

for the decade digit - then open hands
Right hand shows clenched fist,
show number 8 for the units digit
left hand shows number 1 to 5

No. 16
No. 99

First reverse hand shows number 1 for First reverse hands show number 9
the decade digit - then open hands for the decade digit - then open hands
show number 6 for the units digit show number 9 for the units digit
http://www.fiba.basketball/documents/official-basketball-rules/2020.pdf
 Types of fouls

https://www.basketballwiki.net/index.php?title=Official%27s_Signals
 Types of Violations

https://www.basketballwiki.net/index.php?title=Official%27s_Signals
 Administrative

https://www.basketballwiki.net/index.php?title=Official%27s_Signals

 Scoring and clock related

https://www.basketballwiki.net/index.php?title=Official%27s_Signals
 FOULS AND VIOLATIONS IN BASKETBALL
Before diving into the specifics of each call, you need to understand the difference
between a foul and a violation.
Fouls can be against players, teams or coaches and can result in free throws or change of
possession. Most fouls occur on defense, but some offensive fouls can also be called. The total
number of defensive fouls a team, player or coach commits during the course of a game is
recorded and, depending on how many are committed, can result in more free throws for the
opposing team. When a team has committed a number of fouls, they are said to be in the “bonus”
or “double bonus.” A bonus is usually awarded after seven team fouls, while a double is normally
after 10. This results in automatic free throws awarded to the opponent with either “1 or 1” or
“2 shot” formats. 1 and 1 means players must make the first attempt to have a chance at making
a second. 2-shot means the player gets both attempts, regardless.
Violations do not count toward a total, and instead result in just a change of possession.
Violations are typically offense-related, but some defensive violations do occur.

DIFFERENT FOULS:
 Personal fouls - Personal fouls include any type of illegal physical contact.
 Charging Foul - An offensive foul that is committed when a player pushes or runs over a
defensive player. The ball is given to the team that the foul was committed upon.
 Blocking Foul - Blocking is illegal personal contact resulting from a defender not
establishing position in time to prevent an opponent's drive to the basket.
 Flagrant foul - Violent contact with an opponent. This includes hitting, kicking, and
punching. This type of foul results in free throws plus the offense retaining possession of
the ball after the free throws.
 Intentional foul - When a player makes physical contact with another player with no
reasonable effort to steal the ball. It is a judgment call for the officials.
 Technical foul - A player or a coach can commit this type of foul. It does not involve player
contact or the ball but is instead about the 'manners' of the game. Foul language,
obscenity, obscene gestures, and even arguing can be considered a technical foul, as can
technical details regarding filling in the scorebook improperly or dunking during warm-
ups.
 Double Foul - a situation in which two opponents commit personal fouls against each
other at approximately the same time. Fouls are recorded, no free throws are
awarded, and play shall resume at the point of interruption. This means the team in
possession of the ball at the time of the fouls will get the ball out of bounds.
DIFFERENT VIOLATIONS:
 Walking/Traveling Violation - Taking more than 'a step and a half' without dribbling the
ball is traveling. Moving your pivot foot once you've stopped dribbling is traveling.
 Carrying/palming Violation - When a player dribbles the ball with his hand too far to the
side of or, sometimes, even under the ball.
  Double Dribble Violation - Dribbling the ball with both hands on the ball at the same time
or picking up the dribble and then dribbling again.
 Held ball Violation - Occasionally, two or more opposing players will gain possession of
the ball at the same time. In order to avoid a prolonged and/or violent tussle, the referee
stops the action and awards the ball to one team or the other on a rotating basis.
 Goaltending Violation - If a defensive player interferes with a shot while it's on the way
down toward the basket, while it's on the way up toward the basket after having touched
the backboard, or while it's in the cylinder above the rim, it's goaltending and the shot
counts. If committed by an offensive player, it's a violation and the ball is awarded to the
opposing team for a throw-in.
 Backcourt violation - Once the offense has brought the ball across the mid-court line,
they cannot go back across the line during possession. If they do, the ball is awarded to
the other team to pass inbounds.
 Time restrictions - A player passing the ball inbounds has five seconds to pass the ball. If
he does not, then the ball is awarded to the other team. Other time restrictions include
the rule that a player cannot have the ball for more than five seconds when being closely
guarded and, in some states and levels, shot-clock restrictions requiring a team to
attempt a shot within a given time frame.
GENERALIZATION:
 Officials are very much needed to ensure the safety of the players and the validity of game
results and the duty of the officials to impose to the fullest such rules and regulations.
 The different officials in Basketball are: Referee, Umpire, Scorer and Assistant Scorer,
Time Keeper, 24 Second Operator, and Commissioner.
 The three basic positions of Referee/Officials are: Trail, Lead and Center.
 Hand signals serves as a means of communication by officials and coaches during the
game.

P.E. TRIVIA....
Did you know that the average salary for an NBA referee is between
100,000$ to 550,000$ per year. The highest paid NBA Referee is Joseph
Crawford with a salary of 166,000$. He is recently a retired professional
basketball referee who worked in NBA from 1977 till 2016.