How to The Proper Mechanics of Reffing Basketball

Refereeing basketball is not for everyone. It takes some work, a good understanding of the game of basketball and a tough, thick head. You see all those players and fans yelling at the refs on TV? That will be you--to a lesser extent. It's not easy, but it is fun. So if you want to learn, read on.

Things You'll Need

• Whistle
• Referee clothing, eventually

Instructions

1. Learn about referee positioning. Most games are refereed by three refs at a time. When this is the case, there is a lead, a center (or "C") and a trail. Let's say the ball is inbounded at half court. The lead official will be positioned on one side under the basket, the C will be on the sideline at the free-throw line extended and the trail will always stay right behind the ball and sink down to the 3-point line as the ball moves toward the basket. The lead and trail officials are on the same side and the C will be on the other side of the court from them.

2. Say the ball is shot and missed and the defense gets the ball. The players are all running to the other side of the court. Here's what the refs do: The trail official (who was behind the ball) now becomes the lead official, and runs straight down the court under the basket on the same side. The C official (who was at the free-throw line extended) runs to the other free-throw line extended (this official basically goes from free throw line to free throw line). The lead official (who was under the basket on the side) now becomes the trail official and follows the ball up the court as the point guard brings it up (keeping up).

3. Remember one catch to the positioning: nothing ever stays the same. This means that once you get into position, you don't just stand there. You are constantly in motion. For example:1) When you are the lead official and are under the basket, you want to have the best angle possible. So if the ball goes down low on the other side of the basket, you should cheat in a bit to get the best view you can. 2) The trail official should always stay right behind the ball to give himself the best angle. So if the point guard walks it up the court, you should walk with them. If they sprint up, get moving! And as the ball gets worked toward the basket, the lead should move in closer and closer to help get a better view of where the players are. This means that if the ball is down low, there is no point in standing at half court--you are worthless. Never go below the free-throw line, and stay around the top of the arc. Though it should go without saying, stay out of the way of the players. If the ball is stolen and they go the other way, you don't want to be there.3) The C official doesn't have to move too much. He should just take a few steps one way or another based on where the ball might be so he can see a little better. But for the most part, he should stay right around the free throw line.

4. Know the responsibilities of each official. Since there are three of you, the court is divided up equally. Here are your assignments:Lead: You are under the basket on one side. Draw a line from the edge of both free throw lines on a diagonal to the corner of the out of bounds on both sides, and that is your area. Sort of like a trapezoid all below the free throw line. Most common calls: lots of reaching down low, charging/blocking, fouls on lay-ups, traveling calls, over the back, and other rebounding violations.C: You are standing at the free throw line, on the sideline of course. Draw a line from under the basket all the way to half court (splitting the court in half) and that is your territory. Most common calls: violations with the ball (traveling, double dribble), reaching, and moving screens.Trail: You are near the sideline right behind the ball, usually about the top of the key. If the free throw line extended all the way to the sidelines, you would cover everything above that, like the top of the key and open areas. Most common calls: reaching, traveling, blocking fouls and pushing.

5. Note that if there are just two officials, the lead goes under the basket and the trail stays behind the ball. The refs should be on different sides of the court at all times and just run back and forth like windshield wipers.

Tips & Warnings

• A foul is only a foul if the referee calls it--and the opposite is true. It is imperative that whenever you make a call you do it firmly and with a conviction that omits the aura of positivity, as in you are positive you made the right call. If you back off, or make the call softly, you will get hammered. This means that when you make a call, you know exactly what you are calling and who it is on. It sounds easy (and obvious) but can be difficult at the last seconds of a championship game.

• Never admit that you made a mistake. Never. If you want to make a marginal call as a make-up, then do it. But never admit to it and never say you made a mistake. As far as everyone on the court should be concerned, whenever a person in the striped shirt makes a call, that's it. Act the part, whether you know the script or not.