I officiate recreation league games for different age groups. 8, 10, 12 and 14-under co ed basketball. I try to watch as many high school games in my area as possible so i can see the mechanics of referees and also listen to how they report to the table, call fouls, etc. Even the way the whistle is used, i try to take note of that in my mind.

As a recreation league official (who has no training whatsoever because it is not provided nor is it required)want to learn some of the basic "no-no's" of officiating games.

In previous posts, i learned that there is no such thing as an "over the back call" and that you dont point your finger up and swirl it around when the ball doesnt make contact with the rin on a free throw (someone called it the toilet bowl)

Can i get input of commonly used mechanisms or terms that are incorrect? Im not really looking for anything very specific. Just common things that people like me at the recreation level normally do. It would help me out so I dont look like an idiot

Thanks

[Edited by South Bay HHVBC on Feb 21st, 2003 at 01:51 PM]

A big one is a backcourt violation. A player must make contact with the frontcourt with both feet and the ball before he is considered in the frontcourt. Many officials call a backcourt violation if a player touches the line and then goes back again into the backcourt.

My latest Pet Peeve
 

A partner who "Foul tips" all, (allegedly clean) shot blocks; especially when they are in my primary.

Please remember that this only applies to a player who is dribbling the ball.

Chuck

Only true during a dribble.

A few phrases that you should definitely leave out of your vocab: reach, with the body, walking, hack. And the famous, "givin' 'im the business!" :D

Chuck

Others to avoid: "quit reachin'," "that's a force-out," "blocking foul because the defender wasn't perfectly set," and "yell at my partner instead..he's the one that called it." :-)

Z

Traveling during a spot throw in.

"Coach, that's not my call"

Hey Chuck
 

What's wrong with the terminology, "with the body?" I find it useful if the coach sees a clean block on the ball and screams that it was clean, when I'm calling the hip check or whatever. Just call the push, or what?

Years ago, when Jack Ramsay was coaching the Trailblazers, he asked referee Dick Bavetta to explain a non-call. Bavetta told Ramsay that it "wasn't his call".

Ramsay replied, "You're a referee. If it's not your call, whose is it - the popcorn guy?"

Re: Hey Chuck
 

Probably nothing wrong in using it as a description to the coach. I was thinking about officials who use it in reporting the foul to the table. "Blue 23, with the body! Two shots." Blech.

Chuck

One of my favorite NBA stories of all time. That's why I included that as a line to avoid :)

I was working a rec game with a partner that would give his ten second count with BOTH ARMS. What I mean is that he would begin with the right arm from chest to about shoulder high. But when his count reached six up would come the left arm and both arms are now flailing away! Talk about looking ridiculous. :(

signals: foul tip signal

phrases:

1) "over the back" instead of pushing

2) "on the floor" instead of out-of-bounds or one-and-one

3) "offensive foul" instead of player control