MEMBERS ONLY/ DEVELOPMENT
BASKETBALL REFEREEING – DEVELOPMENT LEVELS 1 TO 3
What are levels 1 and 2?
LEVEL 1 would be when you signed up with an association like CMBA (Calgary Minor Basketball Association), or equivalent. They introduced you to the basic principles and rules of refereeing basketball, using FIBA rules (Federation International Basketball Association).
They also helped you get equipped with the referee uniform that you would use – white & black striped jersey with black pants, black running shoes and a whistle. You learned how to use your whistle, hand signals and voice to control the flow of the basketball game. Most of all, you developed your confidence on the court to make the right call, to help your partner and to control the game by the set of rules for the game of basketball.
You also had to pass an exam that indicated you had done your homework and had what it takes to move on to level 2.
LEVEL 2 is where you get to put your training from level 1 to work.
This is referee positions at the community league level where you and your partner will manage your own games with the under 12 year old age group.
Don’t be fooled by their age, some of these kids are very talented and competitive. They will have you working hard to keep up. The court size is smaller but the game intensity can be fierce.
On many occasions there will be a senior referee or representative from the basketball association helping out and evaluating your skill development. They are there to help, so ask questions and learn.
As referees gain experience at this level they will progress to older age groups, right through to U18.
All the skills and confidence that you acquire at this level will help prepare you for the next phase in your referee development.
LEVEL 3 is where you need to pick up the pace of both your feet and brain.
Junior High School level of basketball is considerably faster, requires more endurance, and quicker responses to events happening on the court.
As a referee you will be required to take control of the court and keep the game play within the rules governing the sport. These are some of the facts that you will need to address and deal with:
SIGN-UP FORM
For referees who want to participate in our Development Program.The fast track way of getting you up to our full potential in as short a period of time as possible.
DEVELOPMENT TOURNAMENT
Dec.6 & 7, Heritage Christian Academy, 7/8 boys & girls
Sign-up using form on this page if you want a refresher
We need this information in order to team you with the appropriate senior referees, in the best games for your abilities.
We will do our very best to mentor you through this learning period. We are here to help you realize your full potential not only on the court, but off as well. You will find as you gain confidence on the court that your confidence off the court grows as well.
We will contact you with instructions on what will happen next.
USE THE FOLLOWING ILLUSTRATIONS TO REVIEW RULES, CHALLENGE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE GAME, AND BETTER EQUIP YOURSELF FOR THE ON-COURT EXPERIENCE
*click on images to enlarge
2022 FIBA INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL RULES CHANGES
2022 FIBA INTERNATIONAL BASKETBALL RULES
Use the detailed FIBA rule book to refine your knowledge of all the regulations governing the game of basketball. Many of the rules are not used frequently but you may be asked about them from time to time.
The FIBA rule changes are a definite read for all referees. This is what coaches and minor officials will ask you about.
A TYPICAL BASKETBALL GAME A to Z
BEFORE YOU START THE GAME:
Do a quick walk around the court to check for wet spots, debris and anything else that might hinder the game or create unsafe conditions. Also make note of the court boundary lines and key markings.
Check that the game clock is working, game sheets are filled out and the minor officials are ready.
Check the game ball for correct pressure, size and overall condition.
Visually check the players for jewelry, wristbands, player numbers, uniform accessories that are not permitted, and jerseys all tucked in. It’s not a bad idea to remind players to tie shoelaces if any appear undone.
Review game rules – length of quarters, stop time vs. run time, time-outs, permitted defence, full court or half court, shot clock or no shot clock, and bonus situation.
A quick pre-game meeting with your partner to establish understood procedures for game.
Once everything seems ready for game, either have scorekeeper hit buzzer or blow your whistle.
GAME TIME:
One referee (#1) walks to centre court with ball, and players line-up. Only 2 players are permitted in centre circle, 1 from each team for jump ball. 2nd referee (#2) takes up support position on court side near to the scorekeepers table.
Refereeing administering the ball indicates team colours and direction of play for each team. Remember the new FIBA rule – teams are shooting in the direction of their bench and warmup basket.
Referee #1 blows whistle and tosses ball for jump ball. Team that gains possession is the 1st possession of the game.
Referee#2 runs to baseline of the defensive team zone. This referee is now the lead referee. Referee#1 takes up a trail position on opposite side of court from other referee.
Referees will now officiate the game by looking for moving infractions and fouls. If there is a shot clock, referees will rely on this for the countdown. If not, referees will countdown the clock and once 10 seconds are left, they will warn the offensive team that they have 10 seconds in which to get a shot up to the rim of the basket.
If the offensive teams fails to get a shot on the basket that touches rim, officials will call a time infraction with the appropriate hand signal. They will then indicate the direction of play, and the defensive team will now become the offensive team. Game play will continue with a throw-in from the baseline.
The offensive team will have 5 seconds in which to inbound the ball from the baseline, and a total of 8 seconds in which to get the ball over half (centre line). Failing to do this will incur a time violation and loss of the ball to the apposing team.
This back and forth process will continue throughout the game, and will be the main component of the basketball game.
If the score at the end of regulation time is a draw, overtime may or may not be required depending on the tournament or play-off rules. If required, referees will need to review these and make the appropriate call to either continue with overtime or end the game.
TIME CLOCK INFRACTIONS:
As mentioned earlier, the shot clock starts when the offensive team throws the ball inbound at the baseline. They have 5 seconds in which to accomplish this. Doesn’t sound like a problem unless the defensive team is using a full court press. If the offensive team accomplishes this, they have a total of 8 seconds in which to get the ball over half court (centre line), and a total of 24 seconds in which to get a shot up on the basket. If the ball is shot and hits the rim, the shot clock is reset to 24 seconds regardless of which team gets the rebound.
If a dead ball situation occurs and the offensive team still has possession, there are several factors that will influence the shot clock:
If the shot clock is greater than 9 seconds the clock starts as soon as the ball is inbounded to the offensive team from where it left off. If the shot clock is less than 9 seconds, it is reset to 14 seconds once the throw-in process starts for the offensive team.
If the ball is inbounded but the defensive team gets possession, the shot clock is reset to 24 seconds and the roles of the teams is reversed. As well, if the possession of the ball changes by some action on the court, the roles of the teams is reversed and the shot clock is reset to 24 seconds.
MOVEMENT INFRACTIONS:
Referees, review your hand indications for movement infractions – travel call, double dribble call, carrying, and kicking the ball are common movement infractions. When this occurs possession of the ball is given to the other team and inbounded from the sideline/baseline near to where the infraction occurred.
FOUL CALLS:
Two types of foul calls – non-shooting fouls and shooting fouls.
Non-shooting fouls: A foul that is committed from one player to another that does not involve an attempt to score on the basket. These calls could be an illegal block/screen, holding, tripping, or push. The player initiating the foul is given the foul and a dead ball situation occurs with the ball then being inbounded by the team that the foul was committed on. (Review your hand signals and procedures for theses calls)
Shooting fouls: These occur when an offensive player attempting to score a basket is fouled in the process. The foul is recorded against the defensive player committing the foul and the offensive player is given an appropriate number of shots at the foul line relative to where the offence was committed. Beyond the 3 point line, the player is rewarded with 3 attempts at the foul line. Within the 3 point line, the player is awarded 2 attempts from the foul line. If the player happens to score when the foul is committed, they will get an additional single foul shot at the foul line, regardless of whether it was a 3 point attempt or 2 point attempt.
Players are to line-up in the key as indicated on the diagram – defensive players are blue, offensive players are red. The 2 officials are indicated by the small black circles, with the lead official administering the ball, and the trail referee signalling the minor officials. (Review the 2 referees responsibilities during a foul shot situation)
TECHNICAL & UNSPORTSMAN LIKE CALLS:
If a player, coach or somebody in the audience is harassing the referees, coaches, players or somebody in the audience, they can be given a Technical. This is recorded on the game sheet against the team that the person is associated with. If this person receives 2 technical calls during the game they will be required to leave the gym.
When a technical is called the other team is given 1 foul shot and possession of the ball at the 3-point extended line in the front court.
If an unsportsman like call is given to a player, the foul is recorded against them, and the other team is given 2 foul shots, with a possession change and subsequent inbounding of the ball from the baseline.
50 QUESTIONS THAT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO ANSWER
What is the late arrival policy for teams?
What should you check for before game starts?
Do players need numbers on front & back of jersey?
How many coaches/team can be standing at team bench during play?
With the new FIBA rules, can players from the same team be wearing different colour leg & arm accessories?
What is the 2 1/2 step travel rule?
What is a pivot foot?
How many seconds does a player have to throw ball into play from sideline or baseline?
How long can an offensive player stand in the other teams key?
Where do the quarters start from?
Can grade 7/8 teams use a full court press?
What kind of defence is allowed in Junior High games?
If a player is dribbling the ball, can 2 players from other team guard him/her?
At jump ball, 1 player touches ball twice consecutively, what is the call?
What is the extended 3 point line used for?
During 2 foul shots, the shooter scores the 1st shot but on the 2nd shot misses the rim and doesn’t score . What is your call?
What is the default line-up on foul shots if there is both wide and regular line-up markings?
By default, how many team fouls are allowed before you are in a bonus situation?
How many team fouls before bonus per half?
How many personal fouls before player is removed from game?
How many technical fouls against player or coach before they are required to leave gym?
When can teams substitute players into the game?
How long is a time-out period by default?
When possession change occurs after a player scores, where does the resulting throw-in occur from?
During a 3 point attempt, the shooter jumps up, releases the ball and lands inside the 3 point line. He or she scores, how many points?
During a dead ball situation (clock is stopped), when is the clock started on a throw-in?
How long is half-time by default for Junior High games?
Can girls 7/8 use full court press defence?
A player has earrings on with tape covering them, is that OK?
What is the hand signal for traveling?
What is the call when 2 players from opposing teams are wrestling for the ball with neither having an advantage?
A player is fouled during an attempt to shoot outside of the 3-point line, how many foul shots are they permitted?
A player scores on a lay-up, but is fouled in the act. How many foul shots do they get?
What is the sequence when calling a shot foul?
Can a team call time-out during play when they are not in possession of ball?
How many seconds does offensive team have to get ball over half court?
How many seconds on a shot clock?
A player is dribbling ball and stops, grabs ball and looks to make a pass. How long can they hold ball?
A player falls to ground with ball in hand, then she/he stands up with ball. Is that legal, and if not, what is the call?
On a baseline throw-in, can the player move the full length of the baseline in their attempt to throw ball in?
How do you indicate with hands a personal foul resulting in 2 shots?
If an offensive team player commits a foul during a bonus situation, what is the call?
If the game clock is runtime only and a shooting foul is committed, does the timekeeper stop clock?
Does the timekeeper stop the clock during a time out in a runtime game?
How is an overtime period started?
What and how, do you call when a player dribbling the ball stops dribbling, grabs the ball and then dribbles again?
If there is a difference between the scoreboard and scoresheet, which overrules the other?
Once the offensive team crosses half court, can they go back over half court? If not, what is the call?
A good defence is to try to occupy as much space as possible on the court by spreading your legs and arms out. Is this allowed?
What size of ball do grade 7/8’s use?
ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ARE IN FIBA MANUAL
With our development program, our goal is to build your confidence on and off the court. We believe in the simple saying, ‘practice makes perfect’ and we will pair you with senior referees who you can work with on the court to perfect the skills and knowledge you have from your previous experience. Ideally we would have our new referees working at grade 7/8 level games, rather than 8/9 games. On occasion you may be called to work 8/9 games, and this will test your knowledge, confidence and fitness levels.
We will contact junior referees in the same manner as we do our working referees. You will receive an email with a date, school, level and time. You will be expected to be in your referee outfit and ready to work the court.
One of the 2 assigned referees will run through a few reminders, any game changes and a brief introduction to the coaches and score/time keepers. Once on the court the senior referee working with you will help you with your calls if needed, and positioning. In most cases you will not be on the court for the whole game, but will also spend time on the sideline watching the positioning of the referees, as well as their call procedures. This is invaluable training as well.
There is a possibility that the program may have several new referees at a game and court time will be divided amongst you.
Your progress will be discussed with the senior referees and our management team. Please remember to ask questions and reach out to us by text or email for answers.
In case you haven’t noticed, the interest in playing basketball is growing exponentially in the greater Calgary area. For that matter, it’s become a worldwide phenomenon with young people across the globe discovering the game.
We are very happy to support basketball by ensuring that the game is played safely, fairly and by the book. Most of our officials come from a background of playing, coaching and now refereeing the game. They love the game and want to do their part to ensure it’s played by the rules.
Contact us if you are interested in refereeing, or if you need officials.
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