Take Part. Get Set For Life.™ National Federation of State High School Associations Basketball Controlling the Game Bench Decorum Sportsmanship

| 2| Presentation Topics  Pregame Duties  Areas of Responsibility  Rough Play  Verbal/Non Verbal Cues  Addressing Players  Coaches/ Box  Tableside Procedures  Communication  Timeouts/Intermission  Post Game Discussion

| 3| Pregame Duties  Pregame Conference (Match Ups): Officials should discuss potential individual match ups, team rivalries, coaching strategy (e.g. up tempo, flex, aggressive) and previous game situations.  Pregame Conference (Surroundings): During any pregame, officials should discuss playing areas. Discuss any potential hazards, court configurations, coaching box and scoreboard/shot clock locations.  Pregame Conference (Scorer’s Table): Crews should discuss the scorer’s table personnel, review clock procedures and identify alternative time measuring procedures.

| 4| Areas of Responsibility  Live Ball: Officials need to work to identify the “key” match ups during game situations. Generally, the match ups include isolation for guard play and post up for forwards and centers. Officials need to identify the match ups to provide the most efficient coverage of the court. Knowing and working in your primary area and picking up secondary responsibility will give your crew a wide range of coverage during live ball situations. Officials should officiate the match ups when the situation dictates, but officials should be aware of the key components of strategy during play.

| 5| Areas of Responsibility  Dead Ball: Officials must be aware of situations that may occur during dead balls and be prepared to adjudicate accordingly. Many officials use dead balls as a time to recoup or relax. Don’t catch yourself taking a moment off from the action. “Step In” to monitor chatter between players and work to stay engaged in your environment. Officials must view the entire court and be prepared to step out of primary responsibilities to thwart off potential situations or conflicts.

| 6 | Primary Coverage Areas Officials must work their primary area!

[7] Rough Play  Rough Play: Every season, the NFHS addresses “Rough Play” as a point of emphasis and ask officials to make calls to eliminate this aspect from the game. Rough Play can lead to many other potential problems if not called! Rough Play may not be intentional or flagrant in nature, but could lead to aggressive retaliation between players engaged in match ups. Officials should work to continue the natural flow of the game, but must work to keep the game clean of Rough Play.

| 8 | Shot & Rebound Coverage Controlling rebound situations are vital to maintaining a smooth game. All officials should close down and work to get proper angles to see the play. T & C must call the pushing from behind.

| 9 | Cues (Verbal/Non-Verbal)  Cues: Officials must develop the ability to communicate with partners, players and coaches with and without verbal commands. Good officials ensure that all involve in the game are aware of situations that have or may occur without speaking as a way to heighten awareness of problems and situations during match ups.  Addressing Players: When communicating with players; officials must be aware of what they say and the context they use to say it. Officials should be direct and forceful, but understand that players are involved in emotional spirits during the game. Communicate your desires, but be professional!

| 10 | Coaching Box  Dimensions: The NFHS has designated an area permissible for coaches to use as a way to communicate with their players either in their frontcourt or backcourt. This area should be used for teaching the game or making game time adjustments, Not To Berate Officials! The coaching box must be enforced from start to finish. Enforcing the coaching box will go along way to ensuring that the officials have complete control of the game.

| 11 | Communication Communication: Is one of the “C” words associated with officiating. Officials who can master the ability to talk with coaches, players and his/her fellow officials are the ones who become assets for their organization and are assigned those tougher assignments. Communication isn’t always done with words, but can be expressed through visuals, eye contact and body language. Officials should work hard to master the ability to communicate!

| 12 | Tableside Procedures Calling official becomes “T” and is positioned near the coaches during the free throws. Officials should be willing to talk with coaches but not provide a rules clinic. Use the time to effectively communicate with the head coach.

| 13 | Time-outs & Intermissions

| 14 | Time-Outs & Intermissions  Officials should observe coaches and players.  Officials should observe table activity.  Officials may conference to discuss game time situations (e.g. last section shot, key match ups and strategy).  Don’t relax! Dead balls are a good time to heighten awareness of your game situation.

Sportsmanship  Sportsmanship: Has become a buzz word in sports for many years and has improved the quality of play and the game in general. Officials, coaches, players and spectators are responsible for ensuring that all involved display good sportsmanship. Officials have an important role in promoting good sportsmanship and by calling fouls and controlling the game, officials can eliminate the potential for “rough play” and ultimately ensure that good sportsmanship can prevail. Sportsmanship should not be just a buzz word, but a philosophy that is shared by everyone involved in the game of basketball. [15]

| 16 | Post Game Discussion  Officials should review to circumstances of all completed games. Discuss situations, calls and/or game management matters that can improve the crew for future assignments.  Be sure to communicate any issues with your assignor/commissioner. Communication is key to ensure all officials within an organization are on the same page.  Avoid personal comments or criticism involving coaches, players or fellow officials of a negative nature.

Questions ? National Federation of State High School Associations