Before stepping into the centre circle to administer the jump ball at the beginning of the
first period and before administering the throw-in at the beginning of all other periods,
the referee shall check with his partner, and through him check that all the table
officials are ready. This shall be done with the ’Thumbs up’ signal (Diagram 18).
The referee should delay making the opening toss or administering the throw-in until he
is absolutely assured that everything is in order.
At the beginning of the first period, the umpire takes a position close to the centre line,
at the sideline adjacent to the scorer’s table. He is the free official. That means he is not
involved in the administration of the jump ball, but ready to move ahead of the play
when the ball is tapped (Diagram 19 through Diagram 21).
The referee stands on the opposite side, facing the scorer’s table, ready to step into the
centre circle to make the opening toss for the beginning of the first period.
To administer the throw-in at the beginning of all other periods, the referee shall take a
position at the centre line extended, opposite the scorers table, on the backcourt side
of the player taking the throw-in. The player taking the throw-in shall be positioned
straddling the centre line extended. The umpire shall take a position on the opposite
sideline, in the throw-in teams frontcourt so as to box-in all players.
For the movement of the referee and umpire following the throw-in that begins all other
periods other then the first period see Art. 5.2.