Umpire* There are either one or two umpires in a game of basketball. It is the umpires' job to make the game more fair by enforcing the rules of the game. The umpires take into consideration the spirit and intent of the player before making any call. In the NBA and WNBA, the term "umpire" is not used; the person who has this role is called the referee
.
* *Referee* The use of this term varies between rule sets.
* Under the rules of FIBA (the worldwide governing body for the sport), the NCAA (U.S. college basketball), and NFHS (U.S. high schools), there is one referee in a game of basketball. He is the "head" umpire. The referee has all the jobs of the umpires along with a couple more responsibilities. He is also the one that makes the final decision for most problems and is the one who throws the ball up for the tip off the start of the match.
* *Time Keeper* There is one timekeeper whose job is to keep track of the time and to tell the umpires when time for each quarter has run out. He is also in control of adding the scores onto the scoreboard.
* *Scorekeeper* There is one scorekeeper whose job is to keep track of and record all points scored, shots attempted, fouls made and timeouts called.
* *Assistant Scorekeeper* There is one assistant scorekeeper in a game of basketball. his job is to assist the scorekeeper, by telling him the players who score points, and to hold up a number for each foul called, showing everyone the number of fouls the specified player has for the game.
* *Shot Clock Operator* There is one shot clock operator and his job in to keep resetting and holding the device when needed or told to by an umpire. This person needs to have good reflexes and quickness, as he has to quickly reset the timer when the game resumes.
It should also be noted that fans and media in North America will often use "referee" to describe all on-court officials, whether their formal titles are "referee", "umpire", or "crew chief".
*
* missed field goal and a drawn foul will result in 2 free throws
* made field goal and a drawn foul will result in 1 free throw
* missed 3-point attempt and a drawn foul will result in 3 free throws
* made 3-point attempt and a drawn foul will result in 1 free throw
* unsportsmanlike foul will result in 2 free throws and the same team's possession. (In all North American rule sets, this foul is called a "flagrant foul", with the same penalty.)
* technical foul will result in 2 free throws and the same team's possession. (In the NBA and WNBA, technical fouls result in 1 free throw instead of 2.)
* *Field goal* is any made shot in normal play. Field goals are worth 2 points, unless the shooter was outside the three-point line, in which case it is worth 3 points.
* *Personal foul* is any contact, committed by a player of the other team, thought, by the umpires, to have caused a disadvantage.
* *Technical foul* is a violation of certain basketball rules. They include:
* fighting or threatening to fight with another person
* entering the basketball court when it is not a substitution time
* a player being out of bounds (away from the court) to gain an advantage
* having too many players play on the court
* refusing to sit on the bench
* returning to play when a player is disqualified (loses his privileges to play)
* yelling and/or swearing at another player or an official
* *Rebound* is the act of catching the basketball after a shot has been attempted, but missed.
* *Assist* is to pass a teammate the ball, which then the teammate immediately shoots into the basketball ring successfully. 2-3 dribbles are allowed after catching the ball for assist to be counted.
* *Steal* is to take the ball away from a person who is dribbling, shooting or passing without physically touching the person (committing a foul).
* *Turnover* is when the team that controls the ball loses control and the other team gains control.
* *Walkover* is the automatic victory of a team if the opposing team withdraws, is disqualified or there is not any competition at all.
* *Substitution* is the act of replacing a player from the court to an another player sitting on the bench.
* *Double dribble* is when a player dribbles the ball and picks it up and then dribbles it again without having shot or passed it. Dribbling the ball with two hands is also a double dribble. If a player double dribbles, the ball is automatically given to the other team.
* *Carry* is when a player physically turns the ball over with their hands whilst dribbling it.
* *Travel* is when a player in possession of the ball moves both feet without dribbling the ball. If a player travels, the ball is automatically given to the opposing team.
* *Shot clock* is a clock designed to limit the time a team has to shoot a basketball. The shot clock is different in different leagues, but it is usually between 24 seconds and 35 seconds. After time runs out, the ball is automatically given to the opposing team unless they shot, before the clock runs out, and hit the rim or the ball enters the basket.
* *Substitute (subs)* is when a player on the bench swaps for a player on the court. The player on the bench is allowed to play and the player sits on the bench.
* *Jump ball* happens at the start of every game. This is where the ball gets thrown up from the centre circle and one person from each team jumps for it, aiming to hit it to one of his team mates.
* *Alternating possession* At the start of the game there is a jump ball. Whichever team "wins" the jump ball gets the arrow pointed towards their goal. Each time the rules mention it the ball gets given to the team who is trying to score in the direction of the arrow and the arrow gets turned.
* *Clutch* is a shot made at a difficult moment in the game, usually when the shot clock is about to run out or the team, losing by 1 or 2 points, suddenly wins the game, because of the clutch shot.
* *Backcourt violation* is when a player crosses the half-court line and walks backwards over the line while in possession of the ball, or passes to another player who is behind the half-court line. Note that this rule does not apply if a defensive player taps the ball, and it goes beyond the half-court line, and the offensive player retrieves it in the "backcourt".
* *3 second violation* is when a player stands in the lane (an area marked by the big square in front of the basket) for more than 3 seconds. The offensive team that commits a 3 second violation will lose the possession of the ball. The defensive team that commits a 3 second violation will receive a technical foul.
* *8 or 10 second violation* is when the team with the ball fails to advance the ball past the center line within the allowed time. The offensive team will lose possession. The allowed time is 8 seconds in international play, the NBA, and WNBA, and 10 seconds in college and high school play for both males and femal