Anybody got some useful phrases for me to use while refereeing this might sound like a stupid thread but i'd like to hear what other referees say,
Eg
In and out - Trying to get player to exit the key
Keep it clean - can be used for many situations such as screening, player on the floor.
Stay, walk away, kept out, back off - Stopping a fight
I'll call the fouls you worry about the game - When a players questioning about you calling fouls.

ETC ETC ETC

For the most part you should find language and sayings that fit your personality.

Ultimately, there will come a time when all you should be saying is "tweet!"

Good call, Tom.

Never used it , but here's one: "Shut Up, Play Ball, & Let The Ref's Make The Calls"

Thought I'd add a lil humor.

I thought that some supervisor's like for you to talk players out of fouls and violations. Nobody wants to interrupt the game with a 3-second violation.

Glad you're only kidding.

Saying "shut up" to <b>anybody</b> is just asking for trouble.

OK, substitute "ultimately" with "eventually." You can't talk all game.

To a coach who's not very happy about a call: "What did you see coach"? You can then respond with "I didn't see it that way" or "I'll work harder". (can't say that more than once)

To players wrestling on the floor for a loose ball and now you have a held ball: "easy up, let it go, I'm here"

To your partners when a player is complaining about calls: "#31 (#31 can also hear this) has been complaining about calls and I told him I'd watch, but he won't let it go so if he complains again, we gotta git-em".

To an assistant coach who wants a call: " "

To you partners just before tip: "Let's work hard and have some fun".

Comment: "That was a foul!"
Short reply: "That was not a bird." or "Why did the chicken cross the basketball court?" {answer: he/she heard the referees calling fowls}

Comment: "Did you see that?"
Short reply: "Sorry, I wasn't looking over there, I had off-ball."

Situation: Roughness in the post or rough play
Short reply: "keep your hands off" or "Captains, control your team." or "let's play without the rough contact."

Situation: In the key too long
Short reply: "Please get out of the key."

Most of all use respectful short replies that resemble who you are professionally.

Yep, you can choose to not reply and say nothing...

Or "assistant coach, please coach your players" or "coach, what is your number and I will call you"

Here's what works for me.

To the players:

"Hands!"
"Clear the key!"
"We'll watch for it"
"Tweet!!"

To the coaches:

"She didn't have legal guarding position"
"Thank you!"
"We're watching"
"Coach, your assistant needs to stay quiet and on the bench"
"Remember the box"


Absolutely dry. No sarcasm or irony at all. None. It always comes back to bite the butt later.

Personally, I'd keep away from that one. It's kinda intimating to the coach that you <b>haven't</b> been working "hard" so far in that game.

For guard play, I say "No hands" or "Hands off".
For post play, I say, "Straight up", "Get the arm off" or "Get the leg out".
To clear the lane, I say, "Clear!" or "Get out".

My response to an assistant coach is always made to the head coach. "Coach, your assistant is about to lose you the coaching box."

I hear what you're saying but I'm already working hard and the coach knows it. He's just fighting or begging for a call. For some guys, maybe it would be better to say "I'll watch".

"Stay legal."

For those lurking, notice that of all the suggestions, the official never centered out the player (s)he is talking to.

The official never says, "#32, get out of the key," or "#5, hands off the dribbler."

Having said that I have used a number specifically, but only in the rarest of times.

And when addressing during FTs, I also never use numbers. I address both teams and let them figure out who I am talking to. Usually the guilty party is aware of what he is doing. The smart players will come up to you in person and ask what is it that they're doing wrong.