[BktBallRef]

Originally posted by brettm
I officiate during the season and have spent the past few years coaching AAU summer ball (Keep your comments about AAU coaches to yourself!).

As an official, I can't help but be amazed at the number of guys wearing the stripes (note...I refuse to call them officials!) that do not comprehend the rules, understand mechanics, or bother with keeping in their areas.

A couple of things I have had happen...

1. After assessing a technical to the opposing bench, an official proceeded to give the other team the ball after the free throws. I calmly called him over and informed him that we should get the ball after the technical. He asked me where in the world did I get that from. I told him the NFHS rulebook. He told me that he follows the NCAA rules and had never heard of the NFHS. Hmm?

The official was correct. Most AAU leagues play by NCAA rules. If you were indeed playing by NCAA rules, and your opponent had the ball when the T was called, the official was right in giving the ball back to your opponent..

2. With my team down by 4 and about 3:00 to go in a running clock game, an opposing player fouled out of the game. He loudly tells the other coach that he has 1 minute to replace the player (the clock is still running). I inform him that he only has 30 seconds. The official tells me I should spend more time coaching and less time reffing and we wouldn't be losing. I immediately call a TO to stop the clock. He tells me I can't call it until the player has been replaced...all the while the clock is ticking.

You are correct that 30 seconds is allowable to replace a DQ'd player. However, the official is correct that a timeout cannot be granted until the player is replaced. Running clock rules are a local issue, so I can't address that.

3. After the 3rd time the T calls a shooting foul in the paint, I say something to him about calling his area. I was told that "there ain't no action out there". Really?

There's nothing forbidding a Trail official from calling a foul that occurs in the paint. Each official has a primary area of responisibility. But the Officials Manual also requires us to call a foul when we see a foul. Your remark was out of line.

4. My favorite...it has become commonplace that players are allowed to catch the ball with both feet planted and take a step, pick up their back foot and then shoot. I know of 3 officials, when questioned, refer to it as "continuation"? I have tried to find this explained in the NFHS books, but haven't had any luck.

There's absolutely, postively nothing illegal about this play. It is perfectly legal for a player to lift his/her pivot foot prior to releasing the ball on a pass or dribble. NF 4.43.3 SITUATION C

Any suggestions about what can be done here?

Yes, read and study the rule and case books so that you'll better understand the rules.

How do you tell an official that he really should read the rulebooks once in a while?

The same way that I just did it above.

When it comes to summer ball, I want my kids to learn how to play by the rules. It is really difficult to teach them when the people in charge of enforcing the rules don't know them.

It also very difficult when the coaches don't know the rules.

After reading your post, I would have to agree with one of the comments made by one of your game officials. That is you need to be more concernd about coaching and less concerned about officiating.