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Old Fri Jul 17, 2020, 10:00am
BillyMac BillyMac is offline
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One Is The Loneliest Number That You'll Ever Do ...

I'm preparing a article on one-person mechanics for a magazine. I would appreciate comments, constructive criticism, suggestions, grammar errors, etc., from Forum members. Thank you.

One Is The Loneliest Number That You'll Ever Do

What does the opening line, “One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do”, from the 1969 hit song “One” by the great American rock band Three Dog Night have to do with officiating a basketball game?

If you officiate basketball long enough the inevitable will occur, you will have to officiate a game by yourself. Partner gets stuck in traffic, or a gets a flat tire on the way to the game. There's a schedule or a communication mix up. Partner twists an ankle in the first minute. All of these, and more, can leave you as a one-person crew. This unfortunate circumstance is never an easy way to officiate a basketball game. With hundreds of ticket buying fans in the stands, a paid table crew, cheerleaders, and two teams of players and coaches (one team that may have traveled many miles by bus), you can’t just simply wave goodbye and turn off the lights as you leave the gymnasium. When you are put in this situation what do you do? The following are some one-person officiating guidelines that you may want to try.

First of all, try to contact your partner and your assignment commissioner. Also, know your state association and your local board policy regarding one-person games. Some state associations will not allow a game to begin with only one official, especially a high school varsity game, leaving you without the choice to officiate the game alone. Some of these states, while not allowing a game to begin with only one official, may allow the game to proceed with only one official if the other official gets injured, or becomes ill, during the game. It is important to note that if no state certified official is available do not accept an offer from a non-state certified coach, fan, or parent, to assist. If you do accept such an offer, liability, insurance, competency, and fairness could be compromised. If your state association and your local board policy allow it officiate the game alone.

Once the decision is made to officiate the game alone bring both head coaches and the game administrator together to explain the situation. Tell them that your partner has not shown, or is injured, or is ill, and that you will be officiating the game alone. Be sure that everyone is in agreement that the game will be played under these circumstances. Set the parameters for the game giving them an idea of what to expect once they agree to play the game with only one official. Be sure to mention that you are going to miss some calls because there will be things that you won’t be able to see. Request the cooperation of the coaches and express appreciation to them for assisting you in keeping themselves, and their players, under control. Tell them that you may even ask them for help on out of bounds calls in front of them. This is a great time to remind them of the importance of good sportsmanship and the example that they should set for their players. Advise the game administrator that the cooperation of spectators will also be expected. Make sure that all your pertinent pay information is submitted to the game administrator. In many areas a game fee for a one-person game may differ from that of a normal game.

In the pregame meeting with the captains and head coaches explain that you will appreciate the cooperation from all players and coaches. Again mention that you are going to miss some calls because there will be things that you won’t be able to see and remind them of the importance of good sportsmanship. Tell them that you may ask players and coaches for help on out of bounds calls. Explain that if you do not know who caused the ball to go out of bounds, and both sides argue that it was off of the other team, then play will be resumed by the team entitled to the alternating possession throwin. Let them know that you expect the players to retrieve all loose balls, including out of bounds balls, and to get the ball to you as soon as possible after the whistle has sounded.

The best floor coverage position from which to work is from free throw line extended to free throw line extended on the side of the court opposite the table. This will always give you a good view of the table, substitutes, coaches, and bench personnel. If you go any deeper than the free throw line extended you will not have any chance to make a call if there is a long pass to the other end of the floor. Avoid getting caught on the endline. As the ball goes toward the opposite sideline you will have to move off the sideline toward the center of the floor. Do not guess on three point shot attempts. If you need help on three point shot attempts get help from the table, or from the coaches. If there’s no agreement on the shot attempt count it as two points.

On out of bounds calls, if you’re not sure who touched the ball last, observe the reaction of the players as their reaction may offer you a clue. If you’re still not sure have players assist you by asking them who touched the ball last. If needed coaches can offer assistance on out of bounds calls on the table side sideline. Any disagreement will result in play being resumed by the team entitled to the alternating possession throwin. After designating the throwin spot move a distance away and bounce the ball to the player for the throwin.

Move toward the mid-court area to report a foul. You don’t have to fully move into the foul reporting area, just be sure to clear the crowd of players to get a good line of sight between you and the table. On free throws get the players set and then administer every free throw from the trail position. Notice the initial placement of the free throw shooter’s feet but then focus attention on the nonshooters, especially when misses, and rebounds, occur.

During timeouts stand on the division line in the jump ball circle with ball on your hip toward the team’s basket which will have control of the ball. After the first horn move to the area on the playing court where play will resume.

In a game you are working by yourself you may need to sound your whistle more often than you might in a game with a normal crew because once the players realize that there is only one official on the court they may try to take advantage of the situation. If you take charge early in the game it will help you to maintain control during the rest of the game.

While the coaches will understand the difficult situation that you have been placed in, they may sometimes forget in the heat of game. Expect that, maintain your composure, remind them of your difficult position, and that you‘re working hard for them, and their players. Coaches must control their emotions. Don’t argue with them, or let them put you in a position where you feel guilty about not being able to see everything. Do the best you can, it’s not your fault that this unfortunate situation exists. Remember that you are the best official on the court.

The famous seventeenth century English poet John Donne once stated, "No man is an island". This means that humans function best when they are not isolated from others. It reflects our dependency on each other in order to thrive. Officiating a basketball game alone will make you appreciate your partner a lot more the next game that you work.

Note: Guidelines from the Connecticut State Board of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO Board 5), the Greater Sudbury (Ontario, Canada) Board of Basketball Officials (IAABO Board 106), and the Topeka (Kansas) Officials Association were used in researching this article.
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Last edited by BillyMac; Thu Jul 23, 2020 at 05:14pm.
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