1. 2011-13 Basketball Officials Manual Three Officials’ Mechanics
Please thoroughly review the notes section of the presentation. Many slides have additional information that will assist in presenting the material.

2. 2011-13 NFHS Basketball Officials Manual
Mechanics Changes
Major Editorial Changes
Mechanics Points of Emphasis

3. TRAIL MIRRORS CHOP SIGNAL (2.2.2.C.6 New)
In Crew of Two Only: The Trail will mirror the Lead’s stop- and start-clock (chop) signal to ensure proper court coverage.
It is often difficult for the timer to see the Lead start the clock on end line throw-ins.
The change will promote accuracy in starting the clock and is the same mechanic used for a crew of three.

5. START-CLOCK SIGNAL (2.4.4.B.4 ; 3.4.4.B.4)
A visible signal (point to the table) was added to indicate when the timer should start the clock on a time-out.
The addition of this signal will help promote consistent administration of time-out situations.

7. Major Editorial Changes
2.4.5.A & A: Clarified that the officials shall return to the court when there is 3 minutes remaining in the halftime intermission.
2.4.7.B & B: Text changed to the current concussion guidelines.

8. Reporting Area & Signaling Substitutions Game Awareness
Point of Emphasis
Reporting Area & Signaling
Substitutions
Game Awareness
Fighting Situations
MECHANICS POINTS OF EMPHASIS
Reporting Area & Signaling. Just like your signaling sequence at the spot of the foul, your signals and sequence at the table speak a language. Using signals to report to the scorer is just like talking to the scorer, only you’re using signals instead of words.
Delay momentarily after signaling the foul at the spot to ensure there is no continuing action or unsporting behaviors among players. There is no need to go all the way over to the scorer’s table. Go to the spot within the foul-reporting area that will allow you to properly report the foul and then get the resulting throw-in or free throws started as soon as possible. One of your duties while reporting is watching both benches for bench decorum and substitutes. If you’re too close to the table, you lose that perspective.
After moving to the reporting area, stop and square up to the scorer. Stopping is critical. If you’re moving while reporting, you increase chances of the scorer missing something. Use one hand to signal the number of the player that fouled. Verbalize the numbers at the same time. When verbalizing a two-digit number, say the full number, not the two parts. For example, a foul on No. 24 should be said, “Blue, twenty-four,” not “blue, two-four.” When giving a number combination like 22, give a distinct pause between the numbers so the scorer doesn’t get confused. Do not spin your hand when giving the second number. That turn can cause confusion.
Slow down when reporting. The game can’t restart without you. And when giving the nature or signal of the foul, make sure it’s the same preliminary signal you used at the spot of the foul.
Substitutions. The referee should review substitutions prior to the game in a pregame conference with the scorer. Alert the scorer to hold substitutes at the table until those entering players have been properly beckoned into the game. Report any foul before beckoning substitutes.
The official beckoning the substitutes into the game will sound his/her whistle along with a motion allowing that substitute to enter. The whistle, along with the stop sign lets your partner(s) know you’ve got a substitute and not to resume play until all players have been counted. Keep the stop sign high and visible for your partner(s) to see. If you anticipate that your partner may resume play too quickly, sound your whistle again to make sure the game is not started until all exiting players have gotten off the court.
Game Awareness. Much of adequately managing a game has to do with the prevention techniques that minimize the likelihood of “bad stuff” happening later on in the game. For example, getting teams out of huddles, being approachable, answering the coaches’ questions, recognizing a rise in player emotions and stepping in so players know you are aware and watching for any signs of escalation are situations that can be hard to identify unless you make a concerted effort to look for them. It’s an area where more experienced officials can mentor and teach younger officials the cues to look for and some strategies to use to defuse those situations.        Officials must be aware of game escalators such as hard fouls, chest bumps, trash talking, bench decorum and behaviors of coaches and players. Prevent those types of situations from becoming more serious by using good communication skills and preventive officiating. Know when they happen and deal with them accordingly. A classic example occurs when you take a proactive role in getting into the fray and talking with players after an aggressive held-ball “scrum.” Being aggressive in making your vocal and physical presence known to the players involved prevents a potentially volatile situation from occurring.         “Managing” the game is less defined in the rules books and affords officials some latitude to handle those dead-ball situations. That permission and ability to use more discretion to manage those scenarios will improve the game and overall experience for all those involved. Rather than intuitively reacting to live-ball calls, you can take more time to think about how to take care of the situation during dead-ball periods because time does not have to be an issue. Managing those dead-ball situations can be handled in many different ways by each official and is largely based on experience. Veteran officials usually have learned how to manage the game very well when the clock is stopped. Although you can take the time necessary to make sure you handle dead-ball periods, taking too much time can draw undue attention to your crew and may actually counteract what you are trying to accomplish. There is a fine line that you need to be aware of — address the issue appropriately but do not belabor the point so it detracts from your efforts.
Fighting Situations. In recent years there has been an alarming rate of game incident reports citing “fighting” during basketball games. This document will serve as the protocol for game officials. The scenario shall be covered in every official’s pregame meeting prior to taking the court.
Knowledge of the rules in reference to a fight situation is critical for three reasons: identification of individuals participating, knowledge of subsequent penalties and knowledge of how play is ultimately resumed.
Fighting can be categorized into two groups: One, the ten players legally on the court who participate in a fight situation. Two, all bench personnel leaving the team bench area during a fight or when a fight may break out.
Penalties: Flagrant fouls (technical or personal) and disqualification to each offender, plus one or more indirect technical fouls to the coach when bench personnel are involved. Each foul counts toward the team-foul count, with the exception of the indirect technical foul(s) assessed to the head coach.
Preventive officiating — Maintain a high degree of focus so you are not surprised when a fight may break out on the court.
Be a peacemaker — Step in between opposing players prior to a confrontation escalating into a fight.
Find a friend — Solicit the captains of each respective team to assist in addressing unacceptable behavior of teammates.
Let’s Get It On – When all else fails to prevent a fight from occurring, use the following procedures:
The official nearest the fight should attempt to keep all other players from participating.
The official(s) away from the area on the court where the fight is occurring should focus their attention to the bench areas.
Head Coaches may be beckoned onto the court to assist in ending the fight and keeping his/her players from participating in the fight.
Officials should not attempt to physically separate the combatants. That is a liability matter. It is the responsibility of host game management to administer crowd control.
When the fracas has ended, direct all players and coaches to their respective bench area.
Meet as a crew to exchange information, address penalties and discuss resuming play procedure.
The referee will then meet with both head coaches at the division line to explain the action to be taken.
The referee will then go to the scorer’s table to report and ensure that all penalties are accurately documented in the official scorebook.
After the conclusion of the game, file a game report with your appropriate state or local jurisdiction and contact your supervisor immediately.

9. Three Officials’ Mechanics
Please thoroughly review the notes section of the presentation. Many slides have additional information that will assist in presenting the material.

10. Presentation Topics Terminology Pregame Jump Ball
Primary Coverage Areas
Rotations
Throw-ins
Fouls & Switching
Free Throws
Time-outs & Intermission
Last-Second Shot

11. Terminology
Ball Side: The location of the ball in the normal frontcourt offensive alignment of a team. In dividing the court down the middle, (using the basket as a center point), end line to end line. The side of the court where the ball is located is ball side.
Bump and Run: A technique when one official “bumps” another official out of his/her current position and the vacating official “runs” down into a new position.
Center Official: The outside official who is in the off-ball position, midway between a step below the free-throw line extended and the top of the circle. The Center official may be table side or opposite side.

12. Terminology
Close Down: Movement of an official (a step or two) related to movement of the ball. The Trail and Center close down toward the end line; the Lead closes down toward the nearest lane line extended.
Lead Official: The official positioned along and off the end line. The Lead official may be table side or opposite the table, but will be on the same side of the court as the Trail.
Move to Improve: A technique that means to “move your feet” in order to “improve your angle” on the play. Helps to eliminate being “straight-lined.”

13. Terminology Opposite Side: The side of court opposite the table side.
Primary Coverage Area (PCA): Area of responsibility for each official. PCA is determined by ball location.
Rotation: A live-ball situation, whereby the location of the ball keys a change in coverage for the officials. This is implemented when the Lead official moves to ball side dictating a change of position by the Center and Trail officials. The Lead should not rotate until all three officials are in the frontcourt.

14. Terminology
Straight-Line: Refers to a situation that occurs when an official allows their vision to be obstructed by a player or players; having to look through a player instead of in between players. When a straight-line occurs, the official is not able to accurately see playing action. The situation is also known as getting “stacked.”
Strong Side: Side of the court determined by the location of Lead official.

15. Terminology
Switch: A dead-ball situation created by an official who calls a violation or foul. After a violation is called or a foul is reported to the table, there may be a change in position of the officials. The switch will normally involve the calling official moving to a new position on the court.
Table Side: The side of the court where the scorer’s and timer’s table is located.
Trail Official: The outside official positioned nearest the division line, approximately 28 feet from the end line (near the top of the three-point arc). The Trail official may be table side or opposite side, but will be on the same side of the court as the Lead.

16. Terminology
Weak Side: The side of the court opposite the Lead official; the Center’s side of the court.
Wide Triangle: All three officials forming the geometric shape of a wide triangle; keeping all players and activity within the triangle.

17. Pregame Positions U1 observes home team warm-up
U2 observes visiting team warm-up

18. Jump Ball U1 chops clock – watches jumpers
U2 watches eight non-jumpers
U1 & U2 mindful of quick 3-pt attempt and over/back
Referee may designate best tosser for opening and overtime jump balls.

19. R (tossing official) always goes into T position
Jump Ball
Ball goes left
Ball goes right
R (tossing official) always goes into T position

20. Primary Coverage Areas
Both C and T should close down on shots
A. The Trail official has primary responsibility for the area above the free-throw line extended to the far lane line extended and outside the three-point arc to the end line.
B. The Center official has primary responsibility for the area from the near lane line extended to the near sideline and the near half of the key area.
C. The Lead official has primary responsibility for the near half of the key area and inside the arc below the free-throw line extended.
D. Both C and T should close down on shots.

21. Line Coverage L has entire end line C has closest sideline
T has closest sideline, division line, and far end line
Call only your line

22. Inbounds Coverage

23. Coverage on Transition
A. Trail becomes new Lead.
B. Center remains Center.
C. Lead becomes new Trail.

24. Press Coverage C stays in backcourt
L should have deepest player in front and boxed-in

25. Shot & Rebound Coverage
L should not be positioned within lane lines
Both C and T should close down on shots
C is primarily responsible for weak side rebounding
If shooter is in your area, you must referee the defense and bring the shooter to back to the floor.

26. Shot & Rebound Coverage

27. Three-Point Shot Coverage
If both C and T indicate the 3-pt attempt, T referees defense on shooter and stays with shot; C releases and covers rebounding
C/T should mirror the other official’s “good” signal
L does not have 3-pt attempt responsibilities in a front court offense, but may need to offer assistance on fast break.

28. Rotations
Rotations should be thoroughly discussed at the pregame conference
Ball location keys the need for a rotation
The T or C can facilitate a rotation, but ONLY the L initiates a rotation
A rotation should only take place when all three officials are in the frontcourt
A rotation begins when L moves laterally and penetrates the key area

29. Rotations
Rotation is not complete until L passes beyond far lane-line extended
L must officiate play in the post – even while moving across the lane
If the L begins to rotate and ball is quickly reversed or a quick shot taken – L does not have to complete rotation
There should rarely be two T’s – there may be two C’s for brief periods of time

30. Rotations
If a trap occurs near the division line on C’s side of court, C moves higher to officiate that play and L should initiate a rotation
If L does not rotate – C should go back to a normal C position when play permits
Remember, only the L initiates a rotation! The C only facilitates the rotation in this case.

31. Rotation Sequence
L goes to ball-side, T closes down, C completes rotation (last to rotate)
NOTE: This slide has animation with the diagram and will start on your mouse click; it will proceed automatically. When it stops, just click your mouse again to start up the movement again.

32. Transition After Rotation
All officials must recognize rotation has occurred
If L rotated late and a transition occurs – it is old L’s (new T’s) responsibility to look up court making sure partners picked up rotation
If not, the new T should be prepared to adjust his/her location on the floor

33. Transition Coverage After Rotation

34. Throw-In Cues
L may administer throw-ins on either side of player when staying in frontcourt; T mirrors clock-chop signal
T handles all throw-ins in the backcourt – regardless of location – “bump and run” if necessary
T may bounce any sideline or end line throw-in (depends on defensive pressure)

35. End Line Throw-Ins in the Frontcourt
The Lead administers all throw-ins on the end line in the frontcourt.
The Lead may administer throw-ins on either side of player when staying in frontcourt. The position chosen should give the Lead the best possible angle to officiate the play.
Trail mirrors the Lead’s chop clock signal.
L may administer throw-ins on either side of player when staying in frontcourt; T mirrors chop-clock signal

36. Sideline Throw-Ins in the Backcourt
A. Trail handles all throw-ins in the backcourt, regardless of location (“bump and run,” if necessary).
B. Trail may bounce any sideline or end line throw-in (may depend on defensive pressure).
C. If no pressure, Center and Lead may go to “home” positions.
T handles all throw-ins in the backcourt – regardless of location – “bump and run” if necessary

37. End Line Throw-Ins in the Backcourt
A. Trail handles all throw-ins in the backcourt, regardless of location (“bump and run,” if necessary).
B. Trail may bounce any sideline or end line throw-in (may depend on defensive pressure).
C. If no pressure, Center and Lead may go to “home” positions.
If no pressure, C and L may go to home locations

38. Foul Reporting
The official calling the foul should go to the spot within the reporting area that will facilitate the quickest movement to the next position. For instance, when the L calls an offensive foul and play is “going long” without a switch and the throw-in will be on the end line, the official should go to the closest edge of the reporting area to report and then go back to the end line to administer the throw-in. This saves steps and time!

39. Fouls & Basic Switching
Non-calling officials should observe all players
Calling official goes table side after reporting
Official originally table side fills the vacancy left by the calling official

40. Fouls & Basic Switching
Third official remains in same position occupied at time of foul
If calling official was table side, no switch occurs
No long switch on fouls called in the backcourt without free throws

41. Foul Reporting & Switching
Staying in the Frontcourt
Lead calls tableside foul – goes to reporting area. Becomes new T
T becomes new L
C remains C
Important for all officials to designate throw-in spot.

42. Foul Reporting & Switching
Staying in the Frontcourt
Lead calls foul opposite table goes to reporting area. Then becomes new C.
C becomes new L
T remains T

43. Foul Reporting & Switching
Backcourt to Frontcourt - No Free Throws
L calls foul opposite, reports and returns to administer throw-in as new T
Old T becomes new L
C remains C
The L should go to the closest edge of the reporting area to report and then go back to the end line to administer the throw-in. This saves steps and time!

44. Foul Reporting & Switching
Backcourt to Frontcourt - No Free Throws
C calls foul, reports and slides down to become new L
Old T becomes new C
L goes to sideline to administer throw-in and becomes new T

45. Disqualification Procedure
New table side (C or T) official:
Notifies coach
Requests timer to begin 20-second replacement interval
Notifies disqualified player
Officials not administering disqualification position for subsequent throw-in or free throw

46. Disqualification Procedure
Administering official takes a position on division line half way between center circle and sideline nearest table to administer substitution

47. Free Throws
Calling official becomes T – observes all action and assists with violations, rebounding action and fouls
L administers all free throws – has responsibility for bottom lane space and three spaces on the opposite line
C has responsibility for shooter, flight of ball, and top two lane spaces on opposite line
C and T close down on last shot attempt

48. Free Throws
T is at approximately the 28-foot mark and just inside the tableside boundary line – NOT at the division line
L is approximately 4 feet from near lane line for ALL free throws
C is halfway between the near lane line and the sideline; just above the free-throw line extended

49. Free Throws Calling official becomes T L administers all throws
C and T close down on last shot attempt

50. Time-Outs & Intermissions
Administering official stays with ball at resumption of play location – puts ball on floor if movement is necessary
Positioning of two free officials:
60-second time-out/intermission – nearest block
30-second time-out – top of three-point arc
Officials should observe bench and table activity

51. Time-outs & Intermissions

52. Last-Second Shot C or T – Opposite table official is responsible
L may offer assistance or be responsible on fast break
Responsible official communicates with partners that he/she has the last-second shot
Discussed during pregame

53. National Federation of State
High School Associations
Questions?