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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Last Answer on September 20, 2019

Best Rated

3. My Question: If I maintain my dribble can I jump up and then down again while maintaing my dribble. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSyko1Zq738 (Jason Williams -NBA - "Bunny Hop" at the 1 minute mark). (Legal or Illegal?)

Asked by Doug about 8 years ago

Yes. As i have stated a million times you cannot travel in the middle of a legit dribbling sequence. You can jump, spin around, rub your belly etc., as long as you are able to contunue dribbling after your nonsense without double dribbling.

Zero tolerance for self defense is an awful rule. What if that kid is a goon with a black belt? It could take the whole team to stop him. Ejecting everyone who could defend against or discourage a goon only encourages teams to have and use goons.

Asked by rodk over 8 years ago

Yes, in the extreme you are right. Most bench players enter the court to fight so the rule is constructed to contain any fisticuffs. But you sight a legit situation where they may save someone, so maybe it should be a judgement call.

5. My Question: Is the pivot foot the 1st step or 2nd step
I read somewhere that player who lands with one foot first may only pivot using that foot.
Is it the 1st foot or 2nd foot that becomes the pivot foot when you land.

Asked by Doug about 8 years ago

If you catch the ball in the air, land on one foot and hop to both feet, then neither os the pivot foot. However, generally, yes. Your first foot down is your pivot foot.

Is there a time frame that a Coach has to sit down after getting an unsportsmanlike technical foul? This is in a Varsity Boys Basketball game.
Coach gets a 'T' the official walks away and his partner tries to get him to sit down. How long do we wait

Asked by Mole the Ref almost 8 years ago

It should never get to this but, after a minute or two the coach should be advised that he is risking a second direct technical foul and if he refuses to sit down, he will be ejected from the gym along with that foul.

There is no time specified, but give him a moment to calm down and comply, and if necessary then t him up.

If the player with the ball is running super fast down the court to make a lay up, how do i stop them? I can't just step in front of them and block them because they'll trip and go flying

Asked by Alaysha about 8 years ago

You have to establish legal guarding position down court, then you can move obliquely and take a charge. Alternatively you can chase from behind and hope when you swat at the layup you get all ball.

Is it a violation or alternating possession if the ball lodges between rim and backboard on the last free throw

Asked by Mindy over 8 years ago

Alternating possession.

Hello I was wondering about centrifugal force. If you apply this to baskwtball, is it illegal. Technically, your in act of dribbling and your not palming the ball or having your hand be underneath the ball. So I using centrifugal force legal?

Asked by Joe almost 8 years ago

If you use centrifical force to move and control the ball you are carrying the ball in violation of the dribbling rules if you have given up your pivot foot.