The center official on a three-person crew is the straw that stirs the drink. When “C” is active, things go more smoothly and games are apt to be better controlled and officiated; without that effort, more bad things can happen because coverage tends to lapse into a sort of hybrid, substandard two-person mechanic. Here’s a little history to illustrate what I mean. Probably half of Referee readers aren’t old enough to remember the days when college and professional basketball was worked with only two officials. Games were fas ..read more

How many officials does it take to rule a held ball? No, this isn’t some type of comedic riff on the well-worn “How many (insert insult here) does it take to change a lightbulb?” joke. It’s actually a serious question that basketball officials at all levels should know how to answer. Too often, in the interest of trying to make everyone in the gymnasium aware of exactly what’s going on when multiple players start tussling for a loose basketball, more than one official hits the whistle and enthusiastically thrusts two thumbs in the air. That is, again too ..read more

Basketball officials have been instructed time and again about the importance of pregame discussions as a crew. The 60 minutes prior to tip are a crucial window for an exchange of information between the two or three members of a crew to put everyone in the best position possible to work that night’s game and to make sure the crew is on the same page and communicating effectively with one another. We also know the best crews are the ones that realize their work isn’t done when the final horn sounds and they walk off the floo ..read more

Starting the game on the right track helps everyone get off to a smooth start. Starting on a bad note can set the tone for a long night. The jump-ball rules are fairly simple, but when something strange happens, it can take you by surprise, which leaves you open to making a mistake. One of the plays discussed during a recent meeting involved a team that has a play. To start the game, two players at halfcourt — one on each sideline — break toward the basket as the official tosses the ball. The team scored on the play the first six of eight games it played. The reason it didn’t on the other two ..read more

Editor’s note: This article specifically mentions high school examples. NCAA M/W require two scorers, unless one is acceptable to the referee (2-1.1.b). I have been telling the people who have worked for me for years that I do not pay them to solve problems; I pay them to prevent them. A problem is inevitably some combination of mess, loss and embarrassment — all things better done without, no matter how elegant the solution. The same thinking applies to officiating, where the wise official misses no opportunity to call upon whatever resources can make things run more smoothly. In a high schoo ..read more

Over the years, I’ve spoken to many officials approaching the end of their careers. They speak of being less keyed-up before games, grumpier during them and in considerably more pain after. These signs and others suggest to them the end is near. One of the last things to go, however, is their passion — that little furnace burning bright within that keeps us trying one more time to both contribute and enjoy the experience. Basketball officials need to commit to self-evaluation in order to make sure there’s more than just passion left in the tank.  Passion’s a fickle thing, however. For som ..read more

There is more to know than just foul or violation. Commonly astute officials might have heard once to have an awareness to what type of offense and defense each team is using. All of which is good, but officials can go deeper with more knowledge about the game and how it changes every few minutes. Two of those deeper understandings are picking up on the personality of each game and the substitution patterns. Knowing each separates the good from the great. Game Personality Awareness We know that individual games have their own personalities. There are conference rivalries, non-conference rivalr ..read more

The first thing most of us do in the morning is look at our alarm clock, watch or phone. When we look at our phone, we usually observe the time. When we get in our cars, we observe the car clock. When we are in a boring social situation, we tend to look at our watch or phone. Clock awareness as a basketball official can make us or burn us. Knowing clock scenarios is an intangible of proper officiating. It’s a sign of awareness and being detailed, which is a plus with players, fans, administrators and coaches. It shows that you care about the game. You have to know when the clock starts and sto ..read more

The ballhandler dribbles up the court and, as the lead official, you are working to find the best possible position along the endline to officiate the play. Some of the basic factors to keep in mind include: the ball location, post players’ locations and active or engaging match-up situations. Suddenly the post player sets an off-ball screen near the three-point line and the defense decides to switch. At this moment the lead official needs to recognize the unusual match-up. A post player is defending a guard and a guard is defending a ..read more

Whenever you work a basketball game, it’s always a good practice to be thinking — but not for too long. Yes, it’s important to keep yourself mentally ahead of the game; to be aware of the situation, alert to the nuances of play and the skill of the players — thinking with them and being prepared. Without this approach you lack presence in the game, stand to make less consistent decisions, and can lose the trust of players and coaches. Problems really start, though, when you go beyond getting into the heads of the contestants and start getting into your own, too. Because I am par ..read more