1. PIAA District 2 Basketball Officials Pre-Season Guide
James P. Gross
PIAA District 2 Basketball Rules Interpreter
November 24, 2013

2. One Rule…One Interpretation
CONSISTENCY is achieved when ALL Officials are on the same page.
CONFUSION is achieved when ANY Official is not.
Be a CONSISTENT Official, with an Expert Knowledge of the Rules, Flawless Mechanics and Approved Signals. Your stock will RISE.
Veteran Officials OWE the Non-Veterans GOOD Advice and Guidance.

3. Professionalism
You are compensated, and therefore a Professional Referee
Act Like It – before, during and after the contest
Look Like It – Shirt, Pants, Shoes
Talk Like It – Get rid of the Slang, use your Officials Language
Move Like It – Get to the proper spots on the floor, and don’t lean
Know the Pitfalls and Excuses that make the Criers Cry
Learn from Everyone – what to do, and what not to do

4. Team and Player Control
THREE Things that cause Team Control to END:
A. An Attempt for Goal, including a Tap
B. When the ball becomes DEAD
C. If the Opponent gains control of the ball
Player Control exists when a Player is holding or dribbling a LIVE ball
NOTE: While the Ball remains LIVE, a Loose Ball always remains in Control of the Team whose Player last had Control – UNLESS it is a try or tap for a goal

5. ALL Contact is NOT a Foul, BUT…
1. INCIDENTAL Contact – Don’t Call this a foul
2. ILLEGAL Contact – MUST be called a foul, night in and night out
3. JUDGMENTAL Contact – Earn the Check
Excessive Contact should ALWAYS be Ruled as INTENTIONAL, and if the Contact is Savage in Nature, it should be called FLAGRANT.
SENDING THE MESSAGE THAT YOU ARE IN CHARGE EQUALS RESPECT

6. The BALL is Either Live or Dead -- The CLOCK is Either Running or Stopped
1. Live Ball with the Clock Running A.
2. Live Ball with the Clock Stopped
3. Dead Ball with the Clock Running
4. Dead Ball with the Clock Stopped

7. Correctable Errors – KNOW THEM
1. Awarding an Unmerited Free Throw
2. Failure to Award a Merited Free Throw
3. Wrong Player attempting the Free Throw
4. Player attempting the Free Throw at the Wrong Basket
5. Erroneously Counting or Canceling a Score
Correction must happen before the end of the first Dead Ball AFTER the Clock has started.
Know the Rules of RE-Engagement
PREVENT them from happening by being engaged in the game

8. Miscellaneous Discussion Points
1. Get to the gym on time – recommendation is 75 minutes prior
2. Have a THOROUGH Pre-Game Conference with ALL Involved
3. Talk about the New Rules and the Points of Emphasis
4. Communicate with Partners DURING the game
5. Don’t put your Assignor in an uncomfortable position
6. Be prepared to make the TOUGH Call in the game
7. Work like you’re fighting for post-season assignments
8. Don’t ever think you know it all; attend all Chapter Meetings