1. Upward Basketball
Referee Training

2. Communicating with Coaches
Pre-game time is your opportunity to set the tone for the game and communicate with coaches. Here are a few tips as you interact with coaches:
Introduce yourself to coaches.
Ask them about their season and seek input about their concerns or suggestions.

3. Communicating with Players
As an Upward Basketball Referee you serve as an on-the-floor coach, teacher and encourager. It is your job to talk to players throughout the game.
Vocal commands during game action can keep the game moving and make it more enjoyable.
Be sure to encourage players. This will go a long way toward building players’ self-esteem.
Words of praise, high-fives, and clapping are all effective ways to build children’s confidence.

4. Pre-game Duties
Right before the game begins, gather both teams and their coaches for a brief word of encouragement and prayer. Then discuss the following with both teams:
Be sure all players have their jerseys tucked in their shorts.
Check to see that each player has his/her shoes tied.
Have players remove all jewelry
Give reminders of game play (no defense in backcourt, man-to-man defense, etc.)

5. Controlling the Game
The referee must keep the game under control. The best way to do this is to blow the whistle sharply to stop play, calling fouls and violations when they occur. Anytime play should be stopped, both referees should blow their whistles.
Any rough play should be stopped immediately. If rough play is not stopped quickly, it will escalate and undermine the purpose of this league. Keeping the game under control will create a safe environment for which both coaches and parents will be grateful.

6. Rules Unique to Upward Basketball
The rules unique to Upward Basketball exist to provide a fun and positive sports experience for every child.

7. Game Format
Referees lead both teams in prayer at center court before every game. This sets the tone and focus for the game.
Games in all divisions will consist of six 6-minute segments with an 8-minute halftime.
A coin toss or other impartial method determines which team receives possession first. In jump-ball situations, possessions will alternate. This promotes fairness for both teams.
The clock stops every six minutes for predetermined substitutions. This time should not be treated as a timeout. This allows coaches to match up players without wasting valuable game time.
No timeouts are used in Upward Basketball. This allows more playing time and keeps games on time.

8. Game Format
At the end of each segment, the team that receives the ball next is based upon the direction of the possession arrow.
Teams switch goals at halftime. This evens any advantage that may occur due to the layout of the court.
No scores are kept in the kindergarten or through fourth-grade divisions. The focus for this age is to learn fundamentals, not winning and losing.
Any games ending in a tie should remain a tie. This will help keep games on schedule.
No league standings are maintained in any league. Such standings add unnecessary pressure and intensity.

9. Game Format
Coaches are allowed to walk the sidelines and encourage their players without stepping in the playing area. K5 coaches are allowed on the court with the players. The focus here is to instruct and encourage players at all times.
All coaches will adhere to the substitution system as documented in their coach playbook. The substitution system allows for equal playing time for all players throughout the season.

10. Rules for Game Play
Except where the rules unique to Upward Basketball apply, play is governed by the National Federation of State High School Associations’ (NFHS) Rules Book.
Man-to-man defense will be played at all times. Zone defenses are not allowed. In most cases, players are guarding the opponent that closely matches ability and height, creating a more competitive system for all on the court.
Defensive players must stay within arm’s reach of the player they’re guarding. (Isolation plays are not part of Upward Basketball because they take away the opportunity for all players to improve. This would contradict the spirit of the Upward rules.)

11. Rules for Game Play
Double teaming is not allowed. However, help defense is strongly encouraged in the following instances:
In the Lane Area – If a defender is in the lane and the player he or she is guarding is within arm’s reach, the defender is allowed to provide help defense.

12. Rules for Game Play
Double teaming is not allowed. However, help defense is strongly encouraged in the following instances:
In the Lane Area – If a defender is in the lane and the player he or she is guarding is within arm’s reach, the defender is allowed to provide help defense.
Offensive Picks and Screens – Defensive switching is allowed on offensive picks and screens. The non-screened defender can help his or her teammate by temporarily switching until the teammate recovers to defend his or her offensive player. This is commonly referred to as “help and recover”.

13. Rules for Game Play
Double teaming is not allowed. However, help defense is strongly encouraged in the following instances:
In the Lane Area – If a defender is in the lane and the player he or she is guarding is within arm’s reach, the defender is allowed to provide help defense.
Offensive Picks and Screens – Defensive switching is allowed on offensive picks and screens. The non-screened defender can help his or her teammate by temporarily switching until the teammate recovers to defend his or her offensive player. This is commonly referred to as “help and recover”.
During Fast Breaks – During any fast break (when the team that gains possession pushes quickly into the opponent’s end of the court), another defensive player not assigned to the ball handler may help in order to slow or stop the fast break. Upon stopping the fast break, defenders should return to guarding their assigned players.

14. Rules for Game Play
At the beginning of each segment, both coaches should line up the players at mid-court and match them up by ability without giving verbal cues. This act is performed to promote equal player match-ups. If both coaches and referees foresee a match-up problem due to position and height, players can be shuffled around to create a better game situation.
Full-court presses are not allowed. Defensive players may not guard their opponents in the backcourt. This creates an equal opportunity for each child to participate both on offense and defense.
Due to the shortness of the court in cross court play, backcourt violations will not be called. However, backcourt violations will be called when playing on a regulation-size. The offense must purposefully attack the defense in every situation – no stalling. After a warning from the referee, a violation will be called resulting in a turnover.

15. Rules for Game Play
Referees will call and explain all violations. This is done because referees serve as “on the floor coaches” teaching players what is and is not acceptable on the court. The detail of explanations will vary according to the age group and understanding of the players and should decrease as the season progresses.
When possible, referees will advise players of potential violations before the violation occurs. Doing this often prevents a violation from occurring.
No technical fouls or protest of games. These go against the spirit of Upward Basketball. Coaches and referees should instead follow the example in the Circle of Affirmation.
No score will be given for a basket in the wrong goal. The offensive team will retain possession via an inbounds play.

16. Rules for Game Play
A player committing two fouls in one six-minute segment must sit out the remainder of that segment. The next player in the rotation comes in as the substitute. This does not change the normal rotation, because the fouled-out player does not come back into the game until scheduled to do so. The player who comes in as a substitute gains extra playing time. This extra time does not affect the predetermined substitution system.
Note: In a second foul situation, when a team only has five players at a game, replace the substitution rule with a two-point penalty by awarding the fouled team two additional points. The opposing team then takes possession.
The game clock runs continuously.

17. K5 Rules Modifications
Players participating in your K5 age division are new to the basic concepts of basketball and are also developing motor skills needed to play the game.
With this in mind, Upward Sports has developed some rule modifications specifically for this age division. These modifications are found in the areas of game format as well as some common basketball adjustments.
The following chart details different areas of basketball to show what is allowed for each age division:

18. No (called but not a turnover)
K5 Rules Modifications K5
1st-2nd Grade
3rd-4th Grade
5th-6th Grade
Stealing of the ball from dribbler allowed
Yes
Stealing of the pass allowed
Two hands on ball a dribbling violation No
Double dribble (stopping and restarting) resulting in a turnover
No (called but not a turnover)
Traveling called and resulting in a turnover
Feet shuffling during shot set-up called a travel

19. K5 Rules Modifications (cont.)
1st-2nd Grade
3rd-4th Grade
5th-6th Grade
Fast breaks allowed off loose balls, muffed passes or muffed dribbles
Yes
Fast breaks allowed off made baskets and/or rebounds
3-second violation called resulting in a turnover No
Goal Height
8 ft.
8 ft. 10 in.
10 ft.
Ball Size
27.5”
28.5”

20. Substitutions
Substitutions take place between each segment. Before the start of each six- minute segment, player matchups occur at mid-court. The coaches will match players up against someone of equal ability. While this process is the coaches’ job, you will serve as a monitor.
If both you and foresee a match-up problem due to position and height, players can be shuffled around to create a better game situation. This should be done only when all parties agree to the change.
Remember to keep the substitution time moving. The whole process should take only about a minute. Remind coaches that substitution time is not a time when they should be talking to players about strategy.

21. Responsibilities Responsibilities of both referees:
Watch for fouls and violation (traveling, double dribble, etc.)
Watch down the sideline and baseline for out-of- bounds violations.
Administer dead-ball throw ins (baseline or sideline)
Blow the whistle to end play. When one referee blows the whistle, the other should blow their whistle as well.

22. After play has ended, address what occurred by:
Responsibilities
After play has ended, address what occurred by:
Quickly explaining the violation/foul to the players by telling them how it can be avoided and the result of the infraction. The extent of the explanation will vary according to the age and understanding of the players and should decrease as the season progresses.
To promote proper basketball skills and understanding of the game, referees should call all fouls and violations. Failing to call these infractions creates confusion among players and hinders their understanding of the game.

23. MyUpward.org & MustangUpward.com
Online Resource
MyUpward.org & MustangUpward.com
The referee resources on MyUpward.org will enable you to carry out your role as a successful Upward Basketball Referee. Here you will find specific information on:
What it means to be an Upward Basketball Referee
Communication
Controlling the Game
How to make a call
What to watch for
Positioning /Hand Signals/Responsibilities
Training Videos

24. Closing Seconds
Remember, the 2 Corinthians 4:18 mindset. It says, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
As an Upward Basketball Referee, your focus should be on teaching values that will last beyond the season. The ball is in your court. Strive to be a difference maker and a winning referee!

25. Upward Basketball
Referee Training