MODULE 1:

LESSON 3: OFFICIATING OFFICIALS/RULES

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the lesson, you must have:

▪ Understand the Officiating Staff/Rules and Regulation of

Basketball;
▪ Discuss the rules and duties of the officiating officials of
Basketball.
▪ Enumerate the Officiating Staff of game Basketball.
▪ Differentiate umpire and referee.

Acquire New Knowledge:

THE OFFICIATING STAFF

The makeup of the officiating corps is strictly a matter of choice. The minimum number
is five: a referee, an umpire, a scorer, a timer and a shot-clock operator. In some cases,
eight officials are used in a lineup comprising a referee, two umpires, a shot-clock
operator, two scorer and two timers.

REFEREE IS OFFICIAL IN CHARGE

The referee is the official that controls the game. He is the one who tosses the ball up for
the center jump at the start of the game and each overtime period. His duties range from
inspecting and approving all equipment before the game is starting time to approving
the final score. In between, the referee is responsible for the notification of each team
three minutes before each half is to begin and deciding matters of disagreement among
the officials. The referee has the power to make decisions on any point not specifically
covered in the rules and even to forfeit the game if necessary.

OFFICIALS CONDUCT GAME

During actual play, there is no practical difference between the referee and umpire(s).
They are equally responsible for the conduct of the game; and because of the speed of
play, their duties are dictated essentially by their respective positions on the court from
the moment to moment. For this reason, the rules specify that no official have the
authority to question decisions made by another officials. The official’s control, which
begin 30 minutes before starting time for men and 15 minutes for women and
concludes with the referee’s approval of the final score, includes the power to eject from

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Mission: SLSU will a) develop Science, Technology, and Innovation leaders and professionals; b) produce high-impact technologies from
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the court any player, coach or team follower who is guilty of flagrant unsporting
conduct. When the referee leaves the confines of the playing area at the end of the game,
the score is final and may not be changed.

As we pointed out earlier, jump balls occur only at the start of the game and all
overtimes; but officials still must concentrate upon throwing the ball up straight. At
other times, play resumes with a throw-in. The team that fails to get the ball after the
first center jump will begin the alternating process.

OFFICIATING’S SIGNALS

When a foul occurs, the official is required by the rules to (a) signal timer to stop
the clock, (b) designate the offender to the scorer and (c) use his or her fingers to
indicate the number of free throws. When a team is entitled to a throw-in, an official
must (a signal what caused the ball to become dead, (b) indicate the throw-in spot
(except after a goal) and (c) designate the team entitled to the throw-in.

DUTIES OF SCORER AND TIMERS

Scorer must (a) record, numerical order, names and numbers of all players, (b) record
field goals made and free throws made and missed, (c) keep a running summary of
points scored, (d) record fouls called on each player and notify officials when a player-
disqualification or bonus- free throw situation arises, (e) record timeouts and report
when a team’s allotted number has been used, and (f) record when a squad member has
been ejected for fighting. It is the game-clock and shot clock operators’ responsibility to
keep everyone abreast of key factors while carrying out the timing regulations.

There were only thirteen rules of "basketball".

1. The ball may be thrown in any direction with one or both hands.
2. The ball may be batted in any direction with one or both hands.
3. A player cannot run with the ball, the player must throw it from the spot on which
he catches it, allowance to be made for a man who catches the ball when running at
good speed.
4. The ball must be held in or between the hands, the arms or body must not be used
for holding it.
5. No shouldering, holding, pushing, tripping or striking in any way the person of an
opponent shall be allowed. The first infringement of this rule by any person shall
count as a foul, the second shall disqualify him until the next goal is made, or if there
was evident intent to injure the person, for the whole of the game, no substitute.
6. A foul is striking the ball with the fist, violation of rules 3 and 4, and such as
described in rule 5.
7. If either side makes three consecutive fouls it shall count a goal for opponents.

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Mission: SLSU will a) develop Science, Technology, and Innovation leaders and professionals; b) produce high-impact technologies from
research and innovations; c) contribute to sustainable development through responsive community engagement programs; and d) generate
revenues to be self-sufficient and financially-viable
8. A goal shall be made when the ball is thrown or batted from grounds into the basket
and stays there If the ball rests on the edge and the opponent moves the basket it
shall count as a goal.
9. When the ball goes out of bounds it shall be thrown into the field and played by the
person first touching it. In case of a dispute, the umpire shall throw it straight into
the field. The "thrower-in" is allowed five seconds. If he holds it longer it shall go to
the opponent. If any side persists in delaying the game, the umpire shall call a foul on
them.
10. The umpire shall be the judge of the men and shall note the fouls, and notify the
referee when three consecutive fouls have been made.
11. The referee shall be the judge of the ball and shall decide when the ball is in play,
inbounds, and to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He shall decide when
a goal has been made and keep account of the goals with any other duties that are
usually performed by a referee.
12. The time shall be fifteen-minute halves, with five-minute rests between.
13. The side making the most goals in that time shall be declared the winner. In the case
of a draw, the game may, by agreement of the captains, be continued until another
goal is made.

A Few Misunderstood Rules:

a) Players can “recover” a fumbled ball, traveling does not occur during the time it
takes the player to recover. A player must have control of the ball in order to
travel, and a “fumbled” ball is not considered having control of the ball.
b) Players cannot travel while dribbling the ball, traveling is considered taking one
or more steps without dribbling.
c) If a player attempts to set screen and is moving, it is not considered a foul unless
contact is made.
d) The ball is not “out of bounds” if it rolls along the top edge of the backboard
without touching the supports.

Some Myths Regarding Common Basketball Rules:

1.”Reaching In” Foul- There is no foul called “reaching in” found in the rulebook.
The act of simply “reaching in” is allowed unless contact is made. The referee can
call a pushing or holding foul, but there is no “reaching in “violation.
2. A player dribbles the ball above their head- Dribbling the ball above a
player headline is not a violation as long as dribblers hand stays on top of the
ball.
3.”Over the Back”- Players are allowed to reach over the back of another player
as long as no contact is made. A taller player simply reaching over the back of
another player for the rebound (without making contact) has not committed a

Vision: A high quality corporate university of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Mission: SLSU will a) develop Science, Technology, and Innovation leaders and professionals; b) produce high-impact technologies from
research and innovations; c) contribute to sustainable development through responsive community engagement programs; and d) generate
revenues to be self-sufficient and financially-viable
 foul. Again, the referee can call pushing, holding, or illegal contact fouls, but there
is no violation called “Over the Back” in the rulebook.

Vision: A high quality corporate university of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Mission: SLSU will a) develop Science, Technology, and Innovation leaders and professionals; b) produce high-impact technologies from
research and innovations; c) contribute to sustainable development through responsive community engagement programs; and d) generate
revenues to be self-sufficient and financially-viable