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Off Season Work. What to Do. What NOT to Do.

working off season what to do what not to do

You and I, like many others, will have opportunities to “do off-season ball.”  Unofficial scrimmages, camps, or non-school (AAU) tournaments and leagues all offer chances to gear up for the season to come, to get/stay in shape, to work with other partners and to “see plays”.

Basketball Rules Fundamentals – NFHS

1.5 BASKETBALL RULES FUNDAMENTALS 1.5.1: Rules fundamentals are clearly outlined in descriptive material. When these are thoroughly understood, the chance of making an error in decision on some infrequent and uncommon situation is greatly reduced. All of the rules are based on these few fundamentals. Mastery of them enables the official to base the ruling […]

5 Play Fridays – S1 E4 – Hey Ref! What are you even looking at?

basketball referee learning points

5 Play Fridays – S1 E4 – Hey Ref! What are you even looking at? Today we’re going to look at plays going from Trail to Lead. Primary coverage. Primary defenders. secondary defenders. How we are going to officiate this game in two-person mechanics of course these principles also apply to three person mechanics Our emphasis […]

New Basketball Backcourt Rule for High School 2018! Not so fast!

new backcourt rules for high school

New Basketball Backcourt Rule for High School The National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) published new basketball backcourt rule exception. A shiny looking, ‘rules exception’ about backcourt violations, but in doing so they have confused many officials. Let’s get this ‘clarification’ about backcourt rules right. The language provided by NFHS: 9-9-1: A player shall not […]

Flagrant Foul Basketball Video Fitchburg State player ejected

Flagrant Foul Fitchburg player ejected

Flagrant Foul Basketball Video – Fitchburg State player ejected The viral video of the flagrant foul committed by a Fitchburg State player in the basketball game has been viewed by millions. From the cropped view there is an impression that the referees on the game were lacking. The full video shows clearly that that was […]

Basketball Terms and Rules

basketball terms and definitions

Basketball terms and rules of the game of basketball. Basketball terms and rules are critical to understanding the game of basketball. The terms and rules are the essential elements that keep the game fair. NFHS 4-1 WHAT IS THE DEFINITION OF AN AIRBORNE SHOOTER IN BASKETBALL? ART. 1 . . . An airborne shooter is a […]

Monty McCutchen: Basketball Signals and Mechanics are made in an aerobics room

signals and mechanics are made in an aerobics room

Basketball signals and mechanics are crucial to our success as basketball referees. The stakeholders in the game want the game officials to be confident and consistent. They want referees who will administer the game efficiently and with purpose.  This is what we are all about at abetterofficial.com. Monty McCutchen was considered to be at the […]

NFHS Basketball Officiating Principles – NFHS Officials Manual [2018]

NFHS basketball referees

NFHS Basketball Officiating Principles are an often overlooked by basketball referees. Having a quick review can only reinforce the positive messages therein! PART 1 – OFFICIATING PRINCIPLES (NFHS)   1.0 CODE OF CONDUCT 1.0.1: Officials shall master both the rules of the game and the mechanics necessary to enforce the rules, and shall exercise authority […]

NFHS Basketball Rules Interpretations – 2018-19

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The interps are out and we have some gripes! Not about the content, but of the language used to communicate them. This become ‘law’ in their nature. Why doesn’t NFHS take more care in the creation and communication? Too much to ask? Example #1 This is such sloppy language! Yes, the official shall start a […]

NFHS Basketball new rules and points of emphasis 2018-19.

NFHS Points of Emphasis 2018

NFHS Basketball new rules and points of emphasis 2018-19. When new points of emphasis are released we need to embrace what the NFHS is trying to accomplish. We also need to incorporate what’s appropriate into our game and improve our officiating along the way. when we’re looking at points of emphasis from the National Federation […]

Basketball referee get your game video via email. Proven Method!

a better official

  Basketball Referee get your game video! Basketball Referee get your game video! The number one tool for rapid improvement as a basketball official is breaking down and analyzing game video. The first step in that process is getting your game video. That’s what we’re going to cover today. It’s important to understand have a […]

NFHS Basketball Rules Interpretations – 2018-19

nfhs rules book 2018

NFHS Basketball Rules Interpretations – 2018-19 The NFHS Basketball Rules Interpretations 2018 have been released. SITUATION 1: A1 is dribbling the ball in frontcourt near the division line when B1 taps the ball away. The ball rolls into the backcourt where A2 is standing. A2 picks up the ball while in backcourt and starts a […]

How to Set Your Blocks in Arbiter – ArbiterOne [2018]

ABO Youtube 1802 Arbiter.001

How to Set Your Blocks in Arbiter 2018 – ArbiterOne How to set your blocks in Arbiter is essential to any basketball official’s professionalism and accountability. A key part of our responsibility as basketball officials is ensuring that our availability is fully up-to-date. Assignors need to be confident that they can assign games to officials […]

How to officiate restricted area plays. NCAA women’s basketball [2018]

how to officiate restricted area plays

The restricted area is in effect when the player with the ball starts or moved to the basket outside the LDB. The restricted area is not in effect when the player with the ball starts or moved to the basket inside the LDB. A secondary defender is considered to be in the restricted area when any part of either foot is in or above this area. In all fast-break situations all defensive players are initially secondary defenders until they establish legal guarding position outside the RA.

NCAA Camp Teaching Points 2018 (Collegiate Women’s Officials)

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I.  Proper Procedures After Calling Fouls/Violations
II. Monitor Review Reminders
III. Court Coverage/Positioning Reminders
IV. Coverage of 3-Point shots
V. Restricted Area, LDB & Help Coverage
VI. Rebounding Officiating – Get the first foul – Hooks, Holds, Hacks
VII. Free Throw Coverage and Responsibilities
VIII. Monitor Review Signal

You can’t get enough Monty

monty mccutcheon

He covers the daily routine of referees during the season (12:20),
his “Rebellious streak” (19:55),
how NBA broadcasts can affect public opinion (28:30),
the difficulties of officiating a jumping defender (36:25), and a
potential upcoming rules change for the 2018-19 season (50:00).

NFHS: Basketball Points of Emphasis 2017-18

NFHS Online Basketball Rules Book 2017

NFHS 2017-18 POINTS OF EMPHASIS Equipment worn on head for medical or religious reasons Specific procedures have been established for allowing a head covering to be worn for medical or religious reasons. A player who is required to wear a head covering for medical or religious reasons must provide a physician statement or appropriate documented […]

NFHS Rule 0

NFHS Online Basketball Rules Book 2017

THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE RULES The restrictions which the rules place upon the players are intended to create a balance of play; to provide equal opportunity between the offense and the defense; to provide equal opportunity between the small player and tall player; to provide reasonable risk minimization; to create an atmosphere of […]

NFHS Rule 1

NFHS Online Basketball Rules Book 2017

Rule 1 Court and Equipment NOTE: The NFHS does not perform scientific tests on any specific items of equipment to determine if the equipment poses undue risks to student-athletes, coaches, officials or spectators. Such determinations are the responsibility of equipment manufacturers. SECTION 1 PLAYING COURT DIMENSIONS The playing court shall be a rectangular surface free […]

NFHS Rule 2

NFHS Online Basketball Rules Book 2017

Rule 2 Officials and Their Duties SECTION 1 GAME AND TABLE OFFICIALS ART. 1 . . . The official’s uniform shall be a black-and-white striped shirt, black pants, primarily black shoes and socks. ART. 2 . . . The game officials shall be a referee and an umpire or a referee and two umpires who […]

NFHS Rule 3

NFHS Online Basketball Rules Book 2017

Rule 3 Players, Substitutes and Equipment SECTION 1 TEAM, CAPTAIN ART. 1 . . . Each team consists of five players, one of whom is the captain. NOTE: A team must begin the game with five players, but if it has no substitutes to replace disqualified or injured players, it must continue with fewer than […]

NFHS Rule 5

NFHS Online Basketball Rules Book 2017

Rule 5 Scoring and Timing Regulations SECTION 1 GOAL ART. 1 . . . A goal is made when a live ball enters the basket from above and remains in or passes through. No goal is scored if an untouched throw-in goes through the basket. ART. 2 . . . Whether the clock is running […]

NFHS Rule 6

NFHS Online Basketball Rules Book 2017

Rule 6 Live Ball and Dead Ball SECTION 1 LIVE BALL ART. 1 . . . The game and each extra period shall be started by a jump ball in the center restraining circle. After any subsequent dead ball, the only way to get the ball live is to resume play by a jump ball […]

NFHS Rule 7

NFHS Online Basketball Rules Book 2017

Rule 7 Out of Bounds and the Throw-in SECTION 1 OUT-OF-BOUNDS — PLAYER, BALL ART. 1 . . . A player is out of bounds when he/she touches the floor, or any object other than a player/person, on or outside a boundary. For location of a player in the air, see 4-35. ART. 2 . […]

NFHS Rule 8

NFHS Online Basketball Rules Book 2017

Rule 8 Free Throw SECTION 1 FREE-THROW ADMINISTRATION ART. 1 . . . When a free throw is awarded, the ball shall be placed at the disposal of the free thrower (bounced) by the administering official and the free throw count shall begin. Either or both teams may be charged with a violation. ART. 2 […]

NFHS Rule 10

NFHS Online Basketball Rules Book 2017

Rule 10 Fouls and Penalties SECTION 1 ADMINISTRATIVE TECHNICAL A team shall not: ART. 1 . . . Fail to supply the scorer with the name and number of each team member who may participate and designate the five starting players at least 10 minutes before the scheduled starting time. PENALTY: (Art. 1) One foul […]

NFHS Rule 9

NFHS Online Basketball Rules Book 2017

Rule 9 – Violations and Penalties Table of Contents NFHS 9-1 SECTION 1 FREE-THROW PROVISIONS ART. 1 . . . The try shall be attempted from within the free-throw semicircle and behind the free-throw line. ART. 2 . . . Teams shall properly occupy marked lane spaces according to number and space requirements. ART. 3 […]

NFHS Rules Book 2017-18

NFHS Online Basketball Rules Book 2017

NFHS Rules Book 2017-18 Online basketball rules book The purpose of the online basketball rules book is to enable quick and easy access to rules references for basketball officials. THE INTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE RULES The restrictions which the rules place upon the players are intended t0: create a balance of play; provide equal opportunity […]

Switching in 2-person basketball referee mechanics

Switching in 2 Person Mechanics

Today we’re continuing our series for new officials with the switch that occurs between the two officials when a non-shooting foul is called. We are going to learn directly from the National Federation of High School (NFHS) Officials Manual (the mechanics manual) and discuss exactly what the NFHS says about handling of switching on a foul. We will include switching all non-shooting foul & long switch. We’re teaching directly from the officials manual and going from there.

2017-18 Basketball Rules Changes

NFHS basketball referees

Basketball Rules Changes 2017 – 2018 Basketball rules changes 2017 for NFHS National Federation of High Schools 1-13-2: The coaching box shall be outlined outside the court on which the scorer’s and timer’s table and team benches are located. The area shall be bounded by a line drawn 28 feet from the end line toward […]

NFHS Rule 4

NFHS Online Basketball Rules Book 2017

Rule 4 – Definitions NFHS 4-1 SECTION 1 – AIRBORNE SHOOTER ART. 1 . . . An airborne shooter is a player who has released the ball on a try for a goal or has tapped the ball and has not returned to the floor. ART. 2 . . . The airborne shooter is considered […]

Basketball referee procedure at spot of foul

Screenshot 2018 08 20 08.04.05

Basketball referee procedure at spot of foul. Today we’ll be covering something that is absolutely essential for new officials: Basketball referee procedure at spot of foul. If you are a new(er) official I’m fairly confident that you have been told you need to slow down. A common problem an issue for new officials is being in […]

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