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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651 Questions

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Last Answer on September 20, 2019

Best Rated

Can an offensive player who is continuously dribbling be called for five seconds?

Asked by Frank over 9 years ago

The violation is that a player is "closely guarded" for 5 seconds. Note it includes a stationary player holding the ball, dribbling in place, and dribbling on the move. Being closely guarded by a defender for a continuous 5 seconds is a violation.

A ball is thrown from one endline down court. It hits the far rim player grabs ball and scores. What is the call

Asked by maz almost 10 years ago

The front of the backboard and ring are in bounds, so the basket is good.

I am dribbling right handed as I am driving to about the free throw line and I raise my right leg up and pause for a split second and crossover right hand to left hand and go for layup on leftside. Is it ok to raise my right leg up while dribbling?

Asked by Doug over 8 years ago

You cannot travel in yhe middle of legally dribbling. So yes you can!

A player dribbles the ball and picks it up with two hands. He then drops the ball, can he pick it up without impunity?

Asked by Arthur Puritz over 9 years ago

It is a judgement call. If the player did not intentionallyvdrop the ball it is a muff or fumble and he can pick it up ... but not dribble again.

What happens if it is found that the name of a player is listed incorrectly after the book has been signed by an official the referee (either during or after the game?

Asked by Brooks about 9 years ago

If during the game, it is technical foul if the team conveyed inaccurate information before the game to the official scorer.

After the game, when the refs leave the visual confines of the court there is nothing that can be done (unless the state allows) post game protests.

can i box out an opponent before their offensive player takes a shot ?

Asked by Kobe54 about 10 years ago

Yes, because boxing out is getting to a spot on the floor before your opponent is entitled to that space, and doing it in a way that "blocks" the direct path of your opponent.

Why do some refs say the wrong team color sometimes? In a recent rec league game, for example, the ref called a team in orange jerseys "red." The first time I saw this I figured it was colorblindness. Then it happened several other times.

Asked by Brian about 9 years ago

It is just easier to say red than orange, or even blue than turquoise.