After almost four decades, and after participating in literally thousands of pregame conferences, some very good, and some very bad, as the referee, the umpire, or as an observer, with hundreds of officials, I've made of list of the common concepts that run through almost all of these conferences. Here's the list that I use for my Connecticut, two person, IAABO mechanics, high school NFHS, games.
PREGAME CONFERENCE
Stay in your primary. Something must be very obvious to come out of your primary. If something is there
that really needs to be called, call it. Be late. Be right. Be needed.
Out of Bounds Responsibilities: Lead had frontcourt endline, and nearer sideline to the free throw line extended.
Trail has nearer sideline, farther sideline above free throw line extended, division line, and all three backcourt
boundaries. During transition, press, and press break, situations, the lead, hanging back to help, will have out
of bounds responsibilities on the entire nearer sideline.
For out-of-bounds help, let's get it right. If I have no idea and I look to you for help, just give a directional
signal. No need to come to me, just point. If you don't know, give me a jump ball signal. If I signal, but
I get it wrong, then blow the whistle, and come to me. Tell me what you saw, and let me decide if I’m
going to change it.
Put the ball in play where it goes out of bounds, or where the foul, or the violation, occurs.
On throwins, count five players each team, check the table for substitutes, check the clock, good eye contact
before putting ball in play. A hand up in the air by the off official means not ready.
On double whistles, let’s both hold our preliminary signal and not give a block or player control signal.
Make eye contact with each other. Give the call to whoever has the primary coverage, most often the
lead official, unless you definitely have something different that happened first, in which case we’ll
talk about it.
Be aware of sixth and ninth fouls. If we know that the next foul will result in bonus free throws, then we’ll
be more likely to identify the shooter, and avoid correctable errors. Noncalling official should help identify
free throw shooter.
Be consistent with each other, and with what has already happened in the game. Let’s try to remember what
we’ve called earlier in the game, and what we haven’t called.
Be aware of the time remaining in the period. Let’s help each other out by putting up one finger when
we’re under one minute. We’ll also use the hand on the chest signal for last second try responsibility.
Game management: If I call a fifth foul on a player, I’ll tell the coach, unless I think it’s going to be a problem.
If either of us warns a coach, or the bench, let’s let each other know about it. If one of us calls a technical foul
on a coach, the noncalling official will remind the coach that he must sit down.
Near the end of the game, be aware of coaches requesting timeouts and be sure to inform them after they have
used all their time outs.
Near the end of the game, if the winning team is just holding the ball and is willing to take the free throws
after strategic fouls, then let’s call the foul immediately so the ballhandler doesn't get hit harder to draw
a whistle. Let’s make sure there is a play on the ball by the defense. If there’s no play on the ball, if the
defense grabs the jersey, pushes from behind, or bear hugs the offensive player, we should consider an
intentional foul. These are not basketball plays and should be penalized as intentional.
On court at 15:00. Scorebook at 12:00. Coaches and captains meeting at 5:00: Players legally equipped?
Players wearing uniforms properly? Practice good sportsmanship?
This game is the most important game being played anywhere tonight for these kids, fans, and coaches.
Let’s make sure we officiate the game keeping that in mind, through our effort, and attitude.
2018-19 Basketball Rule Changes
Backcourt Exception: Any player located in the backcourt may recover a ball deflected
from the frontcourt by the defense.
2018-19 Basketball Points of Emphasis
Responsibility For Proper Uniform And Apparel
Establishing Pivot Foot And Traveling
Legal Guarding Position, Block/Charge, Screening, Verticality
Loose Ball Recovery
Officiating Professionalism And Use Of Proper Terminology
Connecticut Only
Point to floor for two point field goal try when shooter has foot touching three point line.
Team members are not allowed to congregate at division line, or on school logo, during introductions.
Captains, Head Coaches, Officials pregame meeting should occur prior to start of game. If the head coach
refuses to attend the meeting, notify Commissioner.
A few weeks into the season, I leave out the Rule Changes, and the Points of Emphasis.