OFFICIALS PRE-GAME CONFERENCE SUGGESTED ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

2006 - 2007 KEY CHANGES Headbands and sweatbands must be unadorned (except for permissible logo) and be the predominant color of the jersey or white. Added that a school logo/mascot is also permitted on the pants, compression shorts, sweatbands and headbands. There may be one visible manufacturer’s logo/trademark or a school logo/mascot on the wristband or headband.

LAG TIME The exact time observed by the official may be placed on the clock when a timer’s mistake has occurred. This change eliminates the need for lag time or reaction time on the part of the clock operator. Previously, reaction time was one second.

ADDITIONAL DELAY WARNING A fourth warning for delay was added for failure to have the court ready to play following a time-out. Previously, there were three delay situations. Changed the procedure for delay warnings to only one warning per game for any of the four delay situations. After that, it is a technical foul.

NEW SIGNAL Established a new signal for a team- control foul. The arm is extended forward and the fist is punched. The proper procedure is fist extended overhead, same arm brought down and punched forward, followed by birddog (optional) and then the proper signal for the foul at the site.

2005-06 KEY CHANGES Removing jersey, etc. visual confines of court, technical foul. Shirts in, pants up. Team control foul in all cases is a throw-in penalty. Applies only to team in control. Double personal, double technical and simultaneous fouls, throw-in at the point of interruption (POI). If these occur during a try, shot or tap, and it is unsuccessful, go to the alternating possession arrow (AP).

2005-06 KEY CHANGES (con’t.) Leaving the court is a violation. Clarification of a double foul. Clarification of when a three point goal shall count. New article when bench personnel may stand. Head coach only in box, once box is removed, all related rules restrictions apply. Time-out, bench personnel nor teammates on the floor may not interfere or harass opponents as they move toward their bench (technical foul).

2005-06 KEY CHANGES (con’t.) Game Administration must have security and handle crowd situations. Lane spaces are 3’ wide and 3’ deep. Players must wait until ball hits rim. Disconcertion must be monitored, especially out on the arc area. Intentional fouls can occur anywhere, anytime. Hard fouls are intentional fouls. Sporting behavior.

GENERAL ITEMS Check correct time and starting time. Check whistles (carry spare), check shoes (shined) and uniform (cleaned & pressed). Discuss any particular ground rules pertaining to game site or any unusual plays. Use only authorized NFHS signals to avoid confusion.

PRE-GAME FLOOR DUTIES Positions on court during warm-ups. Observe players and give number of players to referee. (dunking and grasping rim) Look for illegal equipment, illegal uniforms and make sure taped or wrapped areas do not have hard substance under wrappings. Approximately 11 minute mark, (R) goes to the table and (U) takes over observation duties. Approximately (4) minute mark, get captains and head coaches. (make it brief and address sportsmanship)

TABLE DUTIES - REFEREE Appoints official scorer and timer. Informs table personnel of pertinent rule changes and timing concerns. Reminds official scorer about setting the arrow for first alternating possession. Instructs the official scorer to record who requested the time-out and when it was requested. Instructs official scorer to record all official warnings and to keep track of alternating possessions.

TABLE DUTIES – REFEREE (con’t.) Reminds scorers to check books at the end of each quarter, especially the last two minutes of the game. Reminds scorer and timer to notify officials on 7th team foul and also 10th. Reminds timer to hold subs until foul report is complete and no subs after warning buzzer. Reminds timer no subs until last free throw in multiple throw situations. Reminds official scorer to signal for approval of final score with a nod of the head.

JUMP BALL – HELD BALL (R), (U1) and (U2) discuss mechanics (movement) and responsibilities. (U1) will call back poor toss. (U2) has all non-jumpers. (R) will check to see that arrow is properly set when control is established. For held ball, the off-official will pick up arrow while on-official stays with the pile.

COURT COVERAGE Lead has strong side movement when ball penetrates free throw line extended. Trail gives backside help. Lead (Trail in Three-Person Crew), responsible for 3-point line in corner by baseline. Lead will give preliminary signal and touchdown signal if 3-point try is in his/her area. (Trail mirrors) Trail gives preliminary signal and touchdown signal in his/her area. (Lead does not mirror)

COURT COVERAGE (con’t.) Know line responsibilities; use box-in method, blow your own line - no double whistles. Work hard to get good off ball coverage, trust partner and work primary area. Help each other out on full court press, work diagonally. Talk about special defense coverage such as half-court traps, especially on lead’s sideline near the division line.

COURT COVERAGE (con’t.) Discuss fast break coverage. Discuss delay or spread coverage. Post area coverage, lead’s responsibilities and trail’s responsibilities. Lead has to widen out (move out toward his/her sideline) when ball is near the sideline in the front court. Trail has to move toward center of court when the ball is on the opposite side above the free throw line extended. Trail and Lead have to work hard for proper angles to avoid being straight lined.

FOUL CALLS - CONSISTENCY Single sharp blast of whistle and good preliminary signal at site of foul. (birddog, optional) Calling official designates throw-in spot for common foul. Calling official notifies fouler, shooter and partner(s). Non calling official(s) freeze to observe players and help with free thrower. (If during a try, let partner know if shot went in)

FOUL CALLS – (con’t.) Double whistle, make good eye contact with partner first, then take the call if it is coming toward you. (Do not be in a hurry to give preliminary signal) Use good reporting mechanics. Move to reporting area, stop completely, make eye contact with scorer, give color of offender, then with one hand give number slowly as you verbalize it and then give foul signal. Jog around players and back to new position

FOUL CALLS – (con’t.) No substitutions or time-outs until report is complete. After report, switch by circling players. (Three-person crew, go table side) Double fouls, no free throws, point of interruption (POI). If you cannot determine (POI), then go to alternating possession (AP).

FREE THROWS Lead responsible for opposite lane spaces and first lane space on his/her side. Lead helps to position players properly, good bounce to shooter. Lead takes a position approximately 3’ feet back from the lane and at an angle to see all the spaces he/she is responsible for. Lead is responsible for rebounding. (Do not look up at the ball)

FREE THROWS (con’t). Trail or Center should position self approximately halfway between circle and sideline. (Proper angle) Trail is responsible for players in lanes spaces opposite him/her and players outside the arc. Trail checks table for subs, indicate number of free throws and begin count away from shooter. No lane violations until shooter has possession and control.

FREE THROWS (con’t). If faker causes a lane violation, penalize faker only. On delay after time-out, lead places ball on the floor for shooter. (Violation, unless shooter’s team calls time-out) If shooter is not in the lane area and there is no time-out, technical foul. (No delay warning) Free throws are always administered in the order of occurrence. Be sure to get the correct free thrower on the line.

THROW-INS Discuss line responsibilities; official responsible for that line administers throw-in. (Use box-in principle) Trail always administers throw-ins in the backcourt. Don’t chase ball or turn back on players. If not sure of call, blow whistle if it is your line, then look for help to your partner. (Partner states color and gives proper direction signal)

THROW-INS (con’t). Check the table for subs before administering throw-in. Make good eye contact with partner(s) before administering throw-in. Step away from thrower. Bounce the ball for sideline and backcourt end line throw-ins if there is no pressure. End line throw-in from the front court, 2-person crew, outside thrower and hand the ball. (3-person crew, either in or out, most advantageous)

TIMING COUNTS Three seconds, ball in frontcourt. Five seconds, closely guarded (frontcourt), and throw-in onto the court. 10 seconds, backcourt violation and time to release the free throw. 20 seconds, coach’s warning to sub or 30-second time-out warning. 45 seconds, warning for 60-second time-out. Four minutes, length of each overtime. 10 minutes, halftime intermission.

TIME - OUTS Request for time-out must come from a player on the floor or the head coach while that team is in player control or the ball is dead. Official reporting time-out confirms with the coach whether it is a 30 or 60-second time-out. Official who receives the time-out request goes to the reporting area, gives the color and number of the player making request (or coach), length of time-out, starts the clock and returns to his/her proper position.

TIME – OUTS (con’t.) Do not grant a time-out until injured or disqualified player is replaced by sub. Watch players as they cross paths on way to their respective benches. Positions are top of the key for 30-second time-out and blocks for 60-second time-out. (3-person crew, third official at spot where ball will be put in play) Official who will administer throw-in or become lead if a foul follows the time-out, should be holding the ball. (Remember the spot) Review resumption of play procedure.

SUBSTITUTIONS Hold up all subs until calling official report is complete. Official nearest table beckons subs, puts up stop sign to hold play and counts players. Knowing who left game is more important than knowing who entered. Injured or bleeding player must be replaced unless coach requests a time-out in an attempt to keep player in the game. (Opponents, both coaches must request a time-out) Discuss procedures for unconscious player, ejected player or disqualified player.

Block - Charge Difference with or without the ball. (With, no distance, without time & distance) Defensive player must be completely in-bounds. Defensive player initially has to have both feet on the floor and facing opponent. (after that, one or both feet can be off the floor-principle of verticality) Referee the defensive player.

REBOUNDING Displacement of opponent, offense or defense is a foul. Extending shoulders, hips, hands and arms, etc. out of vertical plane is a foul. (Contact) Over the top, invading opponent’s plane is a foul if contact occurs. Jumping back from inside position into an opponent’s plane is a foul if there is contact. Discern rough play and incidental contact.

SCREENING Screener must be stationary at the moment of contact. (One exception, moving in the same line and direction) Extending elbows and/or hips, foul on the screener. (Contact) Within visual field, close as possible without touching. (Behind, one normal step) Player being screened cannot run through screen, must stop direct route and go around.

BASKET INTERFERENCE Cannot touch basket (rim or net) while ball is on the rim or in the basket. Cannot touch ball while on, in or above the cylinder. Cannot put hand up through bottom of net and block the ball. Basket interference by defense on free throw results in point being awarded.

GOALTENDING Shot or tap at one’s own basket. Downward flight. Chance to go. Outside of cylinder. If any of the above are missing, it is not goaltending. On a free throw, if defense touches ball outside the cylinder before the try ends, it is also goaltending and a technical foul.

CLOSELY GUARDED Guarding position established and distance maintained in front court only. Separate counts for hold, dribble, hold. (Change hands & arms for separate counts) Official who starts count stays with count until player gives up possession. Immediate switch, count continues.

FIGHTING Identify and disqualify participants. Identify and disqualify non-participants or participants leaving the bench. All are charged with flagrant technicals. All are disqualified for the next contest at that level. All technicals count toward bonus. Coaches are assessed indirect technicals. Disproportionate number, shoot free throw(s).

CONDUCT – BEHAVIOR Taunting and Baiting. Pulling jersey partially or completely up and shoving toward opponent’s face. Circling around opponents to begin warm-ups. Harassing opponent’s on way to bench. Using profanity. Throwing ball intentionally at opponent with the intention of causing harm.

CORRECTABLE ERROR Five correctable errors. Four occur while clock is stopped. One can occur while clock is running. Clock stopped, error must be recognized during the first dead ball after clock has started. Clock running, error must be corrected before second live ball.

Last Second Shot Trail in two person crew. Center in three person crew. Discuss in pre-game - two person crew, fast break, lead may take the call. Can’t decide, then count the foul and/or goal. Have eye contact with partner(s) before leaving floor, eye contact and nod with scorer and then leave quickly together.

OVERTIME Put four minutes on the clock. Each team gets one additional time-out. Begin (OT) with a jump ball. Teams have same basket as second half. Reset the arrow on control. Teams cannot use that extra time out until overtime period begins. (one tick of clock)

BENCH DECORUM PA has 14’ coaching box. Head coach only may be standing in the box. Box is for coaching and communicating with players. Communicate with coach if question is asked properly. Do not allow coach to officiate, intimidate or use improper gestures. If box is lost, head coach may stand to request a time-out.

GAME EXPECTATIONS Give 100 percent every time you are on the floor. Work with and trust your partner(s). Discuss team’s tendencies, like they are a fast break team or they shoot a lot of three pointers. Anticipate the play but don’t anticipate the call.

GAME REPORTS Complete and submit all necessary game reports. All disqualified players and/or coaches. Must be in the PIAA office by next day. Fax if possible. More detailed, the better. (Specificity)

MISCELLANEOUS Treat coaches, players and table personnel with respect. Talk to one coach, invite the other. Maintain composure while others are losing theirs. Be aware of team fouls, possession arrow and time-out situations. Referee the dead ball periods.

MERCY RULE Running clock at all levels of competition. One team gains a 40-point differential over its opponent in the second half. The clock shall be stopped only for a charged time-out, an injury/blood or disqualification, and administering free throws. After reporting a shooting foul, the official will signal the timer to stop the clock. (The timer shall not stop the clock on all whistles for fouls since some will not be shooting fouls) Once the official signals the timer to stop the clock, it will be started on the last missed free throw or on the throw-in when its touched.

Material Compiled By Barry Abbott Chapter Interpreter District IX Produced & Edited By Joe Catanzaro and Dr. Robert Lombardi