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

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.

Can you set a screen on both sides of a player at the top of the key? (Pin them from both sides so the guard can pick whichever way they want to go) they looked at me crazy when i told them it seemed wrong in 3rd grade.

Asked by Brad Yarnall over 9 years ago

Yes you can. The same blocking and picking rules apply.

Hello, if a high school player dribbles the ball above his head is that called a violation? I am told no... But what if the player maintains control of that said ball by having his forearm also pressed against the ball?

Asked by Jason Konopisos almost 9 years ago

There is no specification of the height for dribbling. If your hand is above the ball play on, unless the dribbler cups the hand to pull the ball back.

Is it illegal for a defensive player to purposely start blowing in the offensive players face? I assume this would fall under an unsportsmanlike conduct foul, but not sure.

Asked by Alan over 8 years ago

This is a new one for me! Yes, I would call it unsportsmanlike.

is it legal for a Referee per fiba ball rules to ask the scorer to rewrite a scoresheet game of a couple of players numbers are ineligible to read on the scoresheet?

Asked by is it legal for a Referee to ask the scorer to rewrite a scoresheet if there was aerror on the scoresheet where the nos looked messy an a bit ineligabke to read about 9 years ago

Sorry, I am no expert on Fiba rules.

If a player was shooting a 3, and another defender flies by and touches the ball but ball goes in the basket then is it counted or not ?

Asked by HS over 9 years ago

It would count as a three point shot. It does not matter where the defender is standing.

If I am in the Triple Threat position and have not dribbled when faking my shot can I go up on the balls of my feet? I read that you cannot fake a shot going up on the balls of your feet even though I have not jumped for the shot.

Asked by Doug about 9 years ago

Yes, as long as you keep your pivot foot in place, or if you have no pivot foot, you keep both feet down. Not sure why you would do this, even if it is legal.