Official Basketball Rules 2010
Referees’ Manual
Two-Person Officiating
As approved by
FIBA Central Board
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 17th April 2010
Valid as of 1st October 2010
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TWO-PERSON OFFICIATING
TWO-PERSON OFFICIATING
Table of contents
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1 Introduction ......................................................................................................5
2 Preparation before the game ..........................................................................6
2.1 Arrival at venue ...............................................................................................................6
2.2 Meeting of officials .........................................................................................................7
2.3 Physical preparation.......................................................................................................8
2.4 Pre-game duties ..............................................................................................................9
3 Beginning of a period..................................................................................... 13
3.1 Administration before the beginning of a period.....................................................13
3.2 Opening toss ..................................................................................................................14
3.3 Movement of officials...................................................................................................15
4 Positioning and responsibilities of officials ................................................. 16
4.1 Officiating techniques ..................................................................................................16
4.2 Division of responsibilities on the playing court......................................................17
4.3 Trail official - positioning and responsibilities.........................................................18
4.4 Trail official - practical advice....................................................................................23
4.5 Lead official - positioning and responsibilities ........................................................24
4.6 Lead official - practical advice ...................................................................................29
4.7 Trail and Lead official - Further practical advice ....................................................32
4.8 Pressing defences ........................................................................................................33
4.9 Throw-in with pressing defence ................................................................................34
4.10 Trapping defences ........................................................................................................35
5 Out-of-bounds and throw-in situations ........................................................ 37
5.1 Responsibility for the lines ..........................................................................................37
5.2 Throw-ins........................................................................................................................38
5.3 Twenty-four second clock...........................................................................................45
5.4 Ball returned to the backcourt....................................................................................46
6 Shooting situations ........................................................................................ 47
6.1 Flight of the ball .............................................................................................................47
6.2 Goaltending and Interference.....................................................................................48
6.3 Three-point field goal attempts ..................................................................................49
6.4 End of playing time for a period or extra period ......................................................52
7 Signals and Procedures ................................................................................ 53
7.1 Signals.............................................................................................................................53
7.2 Violations ........................................................................................................................54
7.3 Fouls.................................................................................................................................55
7.4 Switching after fouls.....................................................................................................56
7.5 Team control foul ..........................................................................................................56
7.6 Foul and successful field goal ....................................................................................58
7.7 Double foul .....................................................................................................................60
7.8 Positioning of officials after a foul .............................................................................62
7.9 Both officials calling .....................................................................................................65
8 Free-throw Situations .................................................................................... 67
8.1 Trail official.....................................................................................................................67
8.2 Lead official....................................................................................................................68
8.3 Free throws without line up of players......................................................................69
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TWO-PERSON OFFICIATING
Table of contents
9 Time-outs and Substitutions ......................................................................... 70
9.1 Administration of time-out...........................................................................................71
9.2 Time-out after successful field goal or last or only free throw ............................72
9.3 Administration of substitution.....................................................................................73
10 End of playing time......................................................................................... 74
10.1 Checking the scoresheet.............................................................................................74
11 Review comments .......................................................................................... 76
12 Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 77
TWO-PERSON OFFICIATING
Introduction
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Referees’ Manual
Two–person officiating
Throughout the Referees’ Manual – Two-person officiating, all references made to a
player, coach, official, etc., in the male gender also apply to the female gender. It must
be understood that this is done for practical reasons only.
1 Introduction
The mechanics of officiating is a system designed as a practical working method to
facilitate the task of the officials on the playing court. It is intended to help them obtain
the best possible position, enabling decisions concerning infractions of the rules to be
taken correctly.
Common sense is a vital pre-requisite in a good official. A clear and thorough
understanding of, not only the Official Basketball Rules, but also the spirit of the game,
is absolutely essential. By penalising every technical infraction that occurs, the official
will only succeed in producing dissatisfied spectators, players and coaches.
This manual is designed to standardise the mechanics and to prepare an official for the
modern game.
Our aim is to add uniformity and consistency to the already acquired wealth of
experience amongst the various officials.
All officials are required to follow these fundamental principles. The rest is up to
them.
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TWO-PERSON OFFICIATING
Preparation before the game
2 Preparation before the game
Diagram 1
Diagram 2
2.1 Arrival at venue
It is essential that all officials make their travel arrangements in order to arrive at their
destination in good time. When bad weather prevails, they should allow more time for
their journey in order to avoid being late for the game. It is strongly advised that
officials arrive at the venue of the game at least one (1) hour before the scheduled start
time of the game and, upon arrival, report to the organising body of the competition or
to the commissioner, if present.
They should be prepared properly for each game, i.e. in the best possible physical and
mental condition. All meals should be completed at least 4 hours before the scheduled
start time of the game and no alcohol consumed on the day of the game.
Personal appearance is very important. Officials should take pride in their presentation
and dress properly before a game. It is expected that a suit (or sports blazer) and tie be
worn by male officials arriving at the venue of the game. The official’s uniform should
be in good condition, clean and properly ironed. The officials should not wear a
wristwatch, wristband or any kind of jewellery during the game.
In summary, we want our officials to be professional in their appearance, on and off the
playing court.
TWO-PERSON OFFICIATING
Preparation before the game
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Diagram 3 Diagram 4
2.2 Meeting of officials
After arriving at the venue, the two (2) officials should meet each other and prepare for
the task that lies ahead of them. They are a team and should do everything they can to
strengthen that unity.
A pre-game conference is most important.
Items to be discussed include:
1. Special situations: jump ball situation and procedure, technical fouls, free throws,
TV time-outs etc.
2. Co-operation and