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

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

651 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on September 20, 2019

Best Rated

If one referee who makes the call is overuled by two who gets the call?

Asked by Brandon Downs over 9 years ago

In NFHS rules there is no provision for overruling one another. In practice the referee decides disputes between umpires.

If the game is a point away and a player makes a buzzer beater that wins the game but the referee says it does not. Can he review the play on video which was provided to him on the spot?

Asked by Amalia over 9 years ago

In Illinois, video replay is limited to the state playoff series. Each state makes its own video rules.

A offense of foul so many Officials get this one wrong when do you think a offense of foul should be called

Asked by Jacob The official over 9 years ago

The ref on the endline should "referee the defense". It is hard to do because you naturally want to watch the ball, but if the endline referee focuses on the tracking the defenders hr will most often get the block/charge decision correct.

What are the rules relative to Asst Coaches standing during a game? Live Ball/Dead Ball to address his own Team.

Asked by Brent Stewart over 9 years ago

Only the head coach can stand in the coach's box during a live ball. The asst coach should only stand during extended dead balls (injuries) or time outs.

On an inbounds play after a made basket, can the inbounding player dribble the ball while still out of bounds?

Asked by Oldhoopster over 9 years ago

Yes. But if he bounces the ball inbounds it would be a violation.

is it legal in a "step through" move to pivot and then step with non pivot foot while lifting your pivot foot to then jump off your non pivot foot towards the goal to shoot?? Ive heard people say you have to jump off both feet or its travel.

Asked by maxstarr over 9 years ago

Yes legal.

When driving to the basket, how much can you use your off hand to swat away the defender's reaching hand and how much can you legally push the defender?

Asked by Jay almost 11 years ago

In theory, you cannot use your hand to swat away the defender. In practice, I think it is a judgement call by the official. If I were working games my judgement would be based on whether the hand swat created any kind of advantage for the offense.