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

can the player with the ball use his elbow to fend off the defender when he's dribble driving to the basket?

Asked by Ron almost 9 years ago

The offensive player can extend his forearm within his vertical space. But the instance he pushes the defender outside the vertical.space he is entitled to, it is a player control foul

When does the 5 seconds for inbounding commence after a made basket under HS rules? We had a steal and a breakaway layup while the opposition was giving each other stinkeyes in front court. Thx.

Asked by Rodk over 9 years ago

The rulebook says that the count starts when the ball is at the throw in team's disposal.

On inbound is it a violation if ball touches net before touching player

Asked by Ref almost 9 years ago

No violation.

If a player is fouled during a shot attempt and misses does it count as a miss in his stats. What if he makes it??

Asked by erniedrew over 9 years ago

It does not count as a try in the book unless he makes the basket.

Called time out after inbounding ball. Ref didmt grant until ball was close to top of key. Where do you inbound the ball? Spot of where called or granted ?

Asked by Coach V over 8 years ago

It is based on where the ball was when timeout was granted. Then draw a diagonal from the edge of the free throw line to the baseline sideline intersection. If the ball was toward the backcourt side of this area (trapezoid) then sideline throwin. If inside the trapezoid but not 3 seconds, draw a perpendicular to the endlibe.

Is it a legitimate play when a player grabs a rebound and then bounces the ball with two(2) hands simultaneously?

Asked by billy g over 9 years ago

No. It is double dribble.

What would cause you to call fouls for 5-7 year olds. My son was fouled out tonight . He was only trying to go after the ball. The ref never explained to him what he was doing wrong. It caused a big argument and the ref tried to fight our coach.

Asked by Brittany over 8 years ago

5-7 year olds should not be playing traditional full court basketball (in my opinion). They would learn the game better in half court, 3 on 3, with supervision stopping plays on fouls but not shooting free throws. Just my opinion.

By the way, I have always maintained that lower level high school, and grade school games are harder to officiate than Varsity games. The reason is that in Varsity games, a ref calls what they see - in lower level games you have to decide what NOT to call, otherwise you ruin the game.