BASKETBALL OFFICIATING TERMS & CONCEPTS

• MARGINAL VS ILLEGAL CONTACT

Intent does not determine if contact

is legal or illegal. Severity of the contact and impact on the play will determine

if it is a foul. Marginal is contact that does not reroute, impede or dislodge

the movement of a player. A foul is contact that does reroute, impede or

dislodge (RID) an opponent.

• FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT The ability of players to move freely around

the court and to each position without experiencing any illegal contact. Such

as: rerouting, impeding, chucking, holding, R.S.B.Q. or any other Illegal contact

under the rules of the game.

• OPEN & CLOSED LOOKS Open looks are clear views between offensive

and defensive players. Closed looks are trying to see the play when looking

through players.

• POSITION ADJUSTMENT Movement made to get an open look, generally at

least two steps. If players shift to the right, make a PA to the left & visa versa.

• START - DEVELOP - FINISH These are the three phases of most basketball

plays. In order to officiate plays accurately it is critical to see the play from

beginning to end. When a player drives to the basket the concept is to allow

the play to start, develop then finish. If a whistle is warranted, it should be in

rhythm with the play allowing the player to finish rather than coming early

and wiping of shots or baskets.

• COMPETITIVE MATCH UPS A competitive match-up is when two

opponents are within three feet of each other. When a competitive match-up

occurs the covering official will referee this situation closely. When multiple

competitive match-ups occur in the official’s coverage area the official will

keep a closer eye on the match-up closest to the ball while checking the

other one(s).

• R.S.B.Q. If the illegal contact affects the player’s rhythm, speed, balance or

quickness according to the rules, this is a foul.

• PRIMARY & SECONDARY DEFENDERS A primary defender is the closest

defender that is facing an offensive player. A secondary defender is the player

that is guarding another player and then “helps” the primary defender guard

the offensive player with the ball.

• PRIMARY & SECONDARY AREA OF COVERAGE In 2 or 3 person you have

primary and secondary areas of coverage. Primary is the area where you are

primarily responsible. The secondary area of coverage could be construed as

“help” or calls of assistance. Making a call in your secondary area of coverage

or an extended court coverage call, is when your partner had a closed look

or you have “high certainty” that the call needs to be made.

Notes:

• GAME MANAGEMENT Here are 3 important tools to be sure you have in order to manage a game:

1. Redirect communication: Selective listening Diffuse emotions Communicate – “I hear you”

2. Run the Game: Confidence, not arrogance Command respect Reflect enthusiasm

3. Responses to Coaches: Does if Fit Can be defended by the administration Was it Effective Seek solutions NOT closure

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Rotation - Live ball movement whereby the official in the lead position moves to get ball side

2 Strong Side — The side of the floor that the "lead" and “trail” officials are on

Weak Side — The side of the floor that the "center' official is on

Ball Side - The side of the floor that the ball is on

Close Down — Movement of the lead official to the near lane line

Active Rotations — Looking for purposeful reasons to rotate to ensure that officials always have strong side and ball side in "harmony"

Accelerated Pace — Alternate speeds that are required by the lead official to rotate to the new strong-side to meet the needs of the play

Top Side — Moving high in the center position to the tip of the circle in refereeing in the position with a trail mentality

Trail Mentality — Officiating in the center position as if you were officiating in the trial position by moving higher towards the tip of the circle and on to the court

Purposeful movement — Moving a quick step down in the center position towards the endline to get an open angle in these 3 play actions:

a Quick jump shot.

b Quick drive to the basket.

c Quick drive to elbow of key (endline and free throw line juncture)

Switches — Changing positions during a dead ball after a foul is called; calling official reports and (typically) goes tableside, tableside official replaces the calling official

Primary Coverage — The area of responsibility for each official

Secondary Coverage — Help you can provide outside of your area of responsibility to assist one of your partners

Dual Coverage — The areas on the floor where areas of responsibility between officials overlap

Primary Whistle — First whistle that comes from the official that is responsible for the

Secondary Whistle — Second whistle in the one, two cadence that is blown after the official with primary responsibility is given a chance to blow