MONDAY, JUNE 25 ~ THURSDAY, JUNE 28

Allatoona High School ~ Acworth, Georgia

“Please note that this is a ONE-OF-A-KIND SUMMER CAMP SETTING, as we are offering this camp first to BEGINNERS AND JV OFFICIALS, who want a Varsity schedule.

Register Now!

“A Professional Improvement Experience You’ll Never Forget!”
~ Camp Director:  Ray McClure ~

May 31, 6:00 PM – June 2, 6:00 PM

“Our commitment is to TEACH Basketball Officiating the THE BASKETBALL WAY!  Not my way, but THE BASKETBALL WAY!  At this camp you will learn THE RULES (Head Knowledge), PROPER MECHANICS (Court Movement) and APPROVED SIGNALS (Non-Verbal Communications), along with the NCAA, ABA & NFHS RULES and MECHANICS CHANGES for next season.

“If you are new to this avocation or you are a seasoned veteran desiring to improve your officiating…THIS CAMP IS FOR YOU!
We not only TEACH you…we SHOW you the BASKETBALL WAY.

“Social Media has allowed the ‘word to get out’ across the United States about these TRAINING efforts.  This is our 17^th Summer of Camps and never has one single official expressed any dissatisfaction.  We far-exceed the expectations of those who attend.

“We are limited to 50 Officials who will be provided with Dorm Room and Meals.  The Classroom Sessions, combined with the on-court training from our Clinicians, are sure to accelerate you toward your officiating goals.  THIS IS NOT A TRY-OUT CAMP!  OFFICIALS ATTEND TO LEARN AND IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS.  WE MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
 
“Our time together at this Camp will provide you with unique, detailed and thorough instructions, pertaining to the RULES OF THE GAME, PROPER MECHANICS and APPROVED SIGNALS.  In addition…you will receive hands-on, court-side instruction from very knowledgeable Clinicians who are motivated by one thing…and one thing only:  YOUR PERSONAL IMPROVEMENT.
 
“This training could very well be the best learning experience of your officiating career.  JOIN US!  You’ll be glad you did!”

WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND!

TEAM CAMP…Team Camps Provide A Better Teaching And Learning Experience Because They Actually “Run Plays”

Register Now!

The Five Star Basketball Referee – Course

Date: TBA

 “For Your Annual Professional Improvement…Invest In Yourself By Attending This Course.”

You WILL Learn The Rules (Old & New), Proper Mechanics & Approved Signals Of Officiating The Game Of Basketball.”

FOUNDER & INSTRUCTOR:  Ray McClure…678-451-9357…ray@raytheref.com

Why Register?

This “Response-Driven Course” Is The Most Unique Instruction Offered To Officials Anywhere.

Your 12 Hours Of CLASSROOM & ON-COURT Experience Is Sure To Be… The BEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE Of Your Officiating Career.

As A Student In The FIVE STAR BASKETBALL REFEREE COURSE, You Will Also Receive Our 68 PAGE WORKBOOK, GROUP CLASS PHOTO & CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION.  You WILL Become More Knowledgeable In The RULES, PROPER MECHANICS & APPROVED SIGNALS.

This Year’s New Rules, New Mechanics & New Signals Will Be Taught, Along With Any Local Modifications.

Proper Two-Person & Three-Person Mechanics Will Be Taught, Along With Any Local Modifications.

Whether You Are A Veteran…Or This Is Your First Year…Or Some Where In Between…THIS COURSE IS FOR YOU!

Testimonials

“While resources for the development of basketball officials are numerous, there has been a need for a comprehensive packaging of those resources.  I believe Ray McClure’s concept of an officiating course for high school basketball officials meets that need.  It is THOROUGH, BOOK-BASED & FUN.  Ray’s enthusiasm and teaching skills bring this material to life for new officials and veterans alike.  I HEARTILY ENDORSE this program.”

Dr. Ralph Swearngin, Executive Director, GHSA

“The Five Star Basketball Referee Course is one that I would recommend for all basketball officials.  As a student and graduate of the course, I had the opportunity to witness, first hand, the fine job that Mr. McClure does in teaching the course.  Several officials from the South Carolina Basketball Officials Association have taken the course and in my opinion have further developed their officiating skills.  This course would be a benefit to any official looking for ways to improve his/her officiating skills.”

Jerome Singleton, South Carolina Executive Director

All officials of SCISA (SC Independent Schools Assoc.) have been REQUIRED to attend the Five Star BB Referee Course.

Mike Fanning, Athletic Secretary…South Carolina Independent Schools Association

“The Five Star Basketball Referee Course is very similar to the required IAABO School for Prospective Officials.  I know Ray personally and have seen him teach.  He is an excellent instructor and I’d recommend this course for ALL basketball officials anywhere.”

Peter Webb, IAABO, International Interpreter

“I strongly recommend this course to ALL officials at ANY level.”

Dick Williams, Past President IAABO Board #13

“I know good training and this is BETTER THAN GOOD!”

 Dean Ericson, Former IAABO Executive Committee

Register Now!

DEFINITIONS

GUARDING is defined as follows:  “Guarding is the act of legally placing the body in the path of an offensive opponent.”

CLOSELY GUARDING is also defined in NFHS Rule 4:23:1 & 4.35.2, where it states that the maximum distance which the guard can be from the offensive player is 6 feet to be Closely Guarding.  So…the guard can be as close as he/she wants, short of contact, to a maximum of 6 feet, to be Closely Guarding the offensive player.

WHO IS BEING GUARDED?

• A STATIONARY Opponent WITH The Ball
• A MOVING Opponent WITH The Ball
• A STATIONARY Opponent WITHOUT The Ball
• A MOVING Opponent WITHOUT The Ball

When guarding an opponent WITH the ball…whether the opponent is MOVING or STATIONARY…no time or distance is required to OBTAIN an initial legal guarding position.

However…if the opponent is AIRBORNE, the guard must have OBTAINED legal position BEFORE the opponent left the floor.

(You can only know this if you “REFEREE THE DEFENSE!”)

When guarding a STATIONARY opponent WITHOUT the ball…no time or distance is required to OBTAIN an initial legal guarding position.

(You can only know this if you “REFEREE THE DEFENSE!”)

When guarding a MOVING opponent WITHOUT the ball…time and distance ARE factors required to OBTAIN an initial legal position.

¨    The guard must give the opponent the time and/or distance needed to avoid contact.  This distance need not be more than two strides.

¨    If the opponent is AIRBORNE, the guard must have OBTAINED legal position BEFORE the opponent left the floor.

(You can only know this if you “REFEREE THE DEFENSE!”)

Officials are being taught to “trust your partners,” but they are also being instructed NOT to trust their fellow official(s) at the table.  We certainly agree that Game Awareness and Clock Awareness are important in officiating, but when officials are more concerned with the clock(s) than the pivot foot, that is cause for concern.  When officials are better at putting one second back on the clock than they are at correct Block/Charge Rulings…that needs to be addressed.

Officials have the desire to learn and that is demonstrated by their summer camp attendance, subscriptions to magazines and other clinics.  Yes, they are willing to learn, but the “training” they are receiving is the topic here.  Today’s “training” seems to have its emphasis on “style,” “techniques” and Mechanics, but hearing anyone ever discuss the RULES OF THE GAME is extremely too rare.  The purpose here is to point out the importance of rearranging this order.  The RULES OF THE GAME must be taught FIRST as the foundation upon which to build an officiating career.  Assignors and Supervisors should be held accountable for the “product” they assign to their games.  “Substance” must come before “style.”

TRAINING OFFICIALS

We are convinced that if all officials were required to demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the RULES, before they are even allowed to wear the officials’ shirt in public, the desired consistency of accurate RULINGS could be obtained.

Training officials has certainly seen a myriad of techniques during the last 20 years or so. On one extreme, we’ve seen the “instructor” throw the Rules Book in the trash can and say, “Now let me teach you how to referee.”  Shame on this person!

Then there is the “trainer” who reads the Rules Book “word-for-word” every fall and that is the “training” received for that season.  This is very thorough, but, even though the intentions are noble, simply reading the book is not very effective, for obvious reasons.

There seems to be “Referee Camps” on every college campus, every summer, all summer long.  Some camps are actually for training, while others are for the official to expose his/her skills, in an effort to be added to a college staff.  Actual training camps are an excellent venue for officials to be trained because of the game-like situations.  These camps serve the attendees quite well.  Camps that teach “style over substance” or “tricks of the trade” instead of the TRADE do not appear to have true value for the official who has not yet learned the RULES OF THE GAME.

We also have various organizations, magazines and websites that serve as additional resources for training officials.  Overall, these are good for officiating, and provide some value to our avocation.  However, every official owes it to THE GAME to always “inspect” the information and see if it is “in line” with the Rules Book, Case Book and the Officials Manual.  Officials should not simply accept the shared information as the “gospel,” just because it is in print.  An article could simply be the writer’s opinion, approach or…God forbid…a personal “philosophy.”  Again, everything must be supported by the RULES OF THE GAME.  So, whether the “training” is weekly in a local IAABO Board, a State High School Association or a summer camp, it must be thorough and far from some “trainers’” opinion.

QUESTIONS

• Are the officials across the United States receiving enough proper training?
• Do the veteran officials need to hear the presentations on Traveling, etc. every fall?
• Does the trainer need to be very detailed?
• Should the training material be very detailed or just “hit the highlights?”
• Should the officials in your organization be Rules Experts?
• Should officials be promoted to varsity games or added to college staffs without proof that they KNOW THE RULES OF THE GAME?

ANSWERS

The answers to these questions can best be found with other questions:

• “Can officials make accurate Rulings on Rules they don’t know?”
• “Do the coaches, fans and media have the right to assume that officials know the rules?”
• “Does Rules knowledge provide more confidence for the officials?”
• “If the instructor thoroughly knows the Rules, should he/she only teach part of that knowledge?”
• “Is it possible for officials to know too much about basket interference, continuous motion and traveling?

Basketball officials are to MONITOR the activities that take place during their time on the court.  As they are MONITORING, they are to make RULINGS, which are based on the RULES of the game.  Sometimes these RULINGS are accompanied by the sound of a whistle and sometimes they are not.

WHAT DID HE SAY?

Somewhere along the way, we’ve heard slogans, clichés, cute remarks, etc. that actually mean nothing; and many who use these terms can’t even explain what they mean.  Comments like these appear to be an effort to “hide” a lack of Rules Knowledge on the part of the “trainer” or the veteran who also lacks the necessary Rules knowledge.  Let’s discuss a few of these:

“DON’T BE OVER-OFFICIOUS!”

What does the “trainer” mean who barks, “Don’t be over-officious!”

• Is he/she instructing the official to ignore rules?
• Is he/she suggesting the official “look the other way?”
• Does this remark teach the official to do something outside the Rules of the game?
• Does this remark actually teach the official anything?

What is meant by, “Don’t be over-officious.”?

While the official monitors the activities of the players, either there was a violation or there was not; either the contact was illegal (Foul…NFHS Rule 10.6) or it was legal (Incidental Contact…NFHS Rule 4.27).  If the official is sounding the whistle when he/she should not be, it is not an indication of being “over-officious,” he/she is simply making inaccurate RULINGS.  In other words, officials should not be hearing statements like, “Well, it probably was a foul, but you didn’t need to call it.”  They need an instructor to teach them the RULES OF THE GAME that pertains to CONTACT.  Then the official will not be “accused” of being “over-officious” or even “under-officious.”

To further make the point, I ask, “Is there such a foul as a “ticky-tack foul?”  Not really.  If the contact was a foul, then the RULING was accurate…not “ticky-tack.”  If the contact was not a foul, this was an inaccurate RULING…a misapplication of the Rules.  Whether the contact was a foul or just incidental, is clearly detailed in the Rules Book.  Rule 10.6 “spells it out” in such terrific detail.  If the Camps, Training Sessions, Board/Association Meetings and Magazines would thoroughly teach RULE 10.6, Contact Rulings would be based on the RULES and not on someone’s personal “judgment.”  We MUST begin teaching this RULE instead of some “philosophical approach” to officiating.  It continues to appear that officials are being taught to make their RULINGS for violations by the RULES, while their RULINGS for contact are to be made using some other “approach.”

Officials who really DO know and enforce the RULES OF THE GAME, will know when to and when not to sound the whistle, due to the fact that their actions are Rule-Based.  Even the person who does NOT know the Rules should not be exposed to terminology such as “over-officious.”  Better yet, let’s teach them the RULES OF THE GAME and they will not be either “over-officious” or “under-officious.”

“I GET PAID TO REFEREE IN THE GRAY AREA.”

I actually heard an official remark once, from the front of the room at a clinic, “I get paid to referee in the gray area, not in the black and white like some other officials do.”

After much thought and research to that statement we cannot find any support for it anywhere.  In fact, what we have found is actually closer to the opposite of such a “cute” remark.

For example:

• If the official KNOWS the RULE for out-of-bounds, he’ll KNOW when the player or ball is and is not, out-of-bounds.  “Where is the gray area?”
• If the official KNOWS the RULES that pertain to Basket Interference, Goaltending, Block/Charge…he’ll recognize it when it occurs.  “Where is the gray area?”

This same inquiry can be made pertaining to each and EVERY RULE in the Rules Book.  Again we ask:  “Where is the gray area?”

Every time officials “call” or do not “call” a violation…every time officials “call” or do not “call” a foul when contact occurs…that official MUST be able to go to THE RULES BOOK and validate his/her RULINGS with RULES SUPPORT.  After extensive searching of the Rules Book and Casebook, the only place we were able to find some “gray area” was on my head.

Does “gray area” mean that:

• The official only calls violations “some of the time?”

• This official’s Rulings are influenced by the time on the clock, the score of the game, the player with the ball or the fans’ reaction?
• This official has his own “call selection.”

“CALL SELECTION”

Here is another term that teaches nothing and it needs to disappear.  It gives the impression to those being trained that it is OK to have your own “strike zone.”  There is only one thing that makes the “calls” right or wrong:  THE RULES OF THE GAME.  It was not a great “no call”…it wasn’t traveling.  It wasn’t a great “no call”…it wasn’t a foul…BY RULE.  To determine if the official has good “call selection,” we must observe the official’s RULINGS.  If they are Rule-Based, then they are accurate.  If not, they are inaccurate…BY RULE.  It is important to teach officials that their “call selection” must be in-line with the RULES OF THE GAME.

“JUDGMENT”

What is meant when we hear that someone has “good judgment?”  What is an evaluator looking for to determine whether an official has “good judgment?”  Aren’t we really asking whether the official gets the “calls” right?

Good “Call Selection” and Good “Judgment” are the SAME thing.  They both indicate that the official KNOWS THE RULES and also enforces them.  On the other hand, poor “Call Selection” and poor “Judgment” are also synonymous.

And have you ever heard someone say, “Either you have good judgment or you don’t.  There’s nothing we can do to improve that.”  That is simply not true.  If an official does not know that the boundary line is actually out-of-bounds, he/she will make incorrect Rulings (judgments) pertaining to this rule.  Once this same official learns the pertinent Rule, his/her “judgment” will be improved.

And the all-time favorite is, “Well, he doesn’t know the rules, but he has good judgment.”  This is the most perfect demonstration of ignorant statements in officiating history.

It is OK to use the word “Judgment,” because officials are “judging” as to whether a foul or violation has occurred, but this “judgment” is correct or incorrect based on THE RULES OF THE GAME.

“I’M NOT CALLING THAT.”

The first question we should ask anyone who says this is, “Why do you say that?”  We then should listen closely to their answer:

• Is this official saying that an inaccurate Ruling occurred?
• Is this official suggesting an approach which has no Rules support?
• Is this official indicating he/she would not “call that” because of the time on the clock or the score?

The clinician’s rationale for making such a statement must be due to the fact that he/she observed a “missed call.”  To say it for any other reason would certainly be a “sin.”

“SELL THAT CALL!”

The best way to “Sell That Call” is to get it right.  To teach officials to demonstrate a lack of composure and become emotionally involved in the game is contrary to our described responsibilities.  We certainly do want the official to appear confident, assertive and officiate with an “in-charge approach,” but they should not be taught to be a “salesman” in an effort to convince or appease the coach, because that is not in the “job description” of a basketball official.  Even though we all would like to have every “call” accepted as a “good one,” the coach’s acceptance should not be our concern.

“Selling calls” originated from some supervisor or instructor who was concerned with “what the coaches think.”  The coach is not concerned as to whether the officials are going to agree with his/her play-calling or strategic substitutions, so why is it that we officials find it necessary to “sell” them on our skills?  We are the officials.  They are the coaches.  We officiate and they coach.  By the way…the coaches have now “figured it out”:  Officials are only “selling” the calls they’re missing.  And besides, if you’re “selling”…you’d better hope they are buying.  It would be a shame to be one of their “cheerleaders” and they not like your performance.

OFFICIALS ARE GOOD PEOPLE

We know that basketball officials are a terrific group of individuals.  They represent honor, dignity and pride every time they put on that “beautiful” black and white shirt. (Gray In Maine & Other States)  We also are convinced they really do want to make correct RULINGS on every play throughout the game.  If an official feels otherwise, for whatever reason, it is now time for him/her to get out of this awesome avocation.

Interpreters, Instructors and Trainers need to become passionate about teaching again.  When this happens, the officials will also become passionate about learning this “Trade” and THE GAME will be better for it.

Assignors need to raise the level of accountability for officials to be promoted.  Set the Standards high, so that the quality of officiating reaches new heights.  THE GAME must come first and THE GAME deserves the best we have.

“SWEAT THE DETAILS”

Go ahead trainers and “take your training to an extreme.”  Be thorough in your approach.  Take this responsibility very seriously and “sweat the details.”  They only have to learn the Rules once.  Don’t allow them to take years to accomplish this.

“WE CAN DO IT!”

This is certainly a challenge, but worthy of all efforts and it begins with assignors and supervisors no longer allowing officials to officiate games “by the seat of their pants.”  They must KNOW the RULES OF THE GAME.  Does knowing the rules make one a great official.  Absolutely not.  There is much more to it than that.  But, NOT KNOWING THEM guarantees that the official cannot be good.  “YOU CAN’T MAKE CONSISTENT, ACCURATE RULINGS ON RULES YOU DON’T KNOW.”

The Game has 10 Rules, which are well-defined, well-organized and thoroughly detailed.  When officials become passionate about acquiring the necessary knowledge of THE GAME…this awesome sport will once again, receive the honor and respect it deserves.  Then, and only then, will it be time to put on that shirt that tells the world:  “I am a proud and thoroughly TRAINED basketball official and I will uphold the standards of THE GAME and will do everything within my power to accurately enforce the RULES OF THE GAME, which have sportsmanship and fair play at the center.”

The first part of this Lesson is…

ALL THREE A’s MUST BE PRESENT in order to have a backcourt violation.

Here are the THREE-A QUESTIONS:

1. Which Team has TEAM CONTROL in the frontcourt?  (If the answer is A…that is the FIRST A.)
2. Which Team was the LAST TO TOUCH…or be touched by…the ball BEFORE the ball went into the backcourt?  (If the answer is A…that is the SECOND A.)
3. Which Team is the FIRST TO TOUCH…or be touched by…the ball AFTER the ball has gone into the backcourt?  (If the answer is A…that is the THIRD A.)

Again…if ALL THREE ANSWERS ARE TEAM A…a backcourt violation will ALWAYS result.  If either one of the A’s is missing…there can NEVER be a backcourt violation.

Here is Case Play to clarify…

• A1 is dribbling the ball in the frontcourt, when B1 hits the ball.
• The ball deflects off A1’s foot and goes into the backcourt.
• A1 quickly recovers the ball.
• The official rules this to be a backcourt violation, as soon as A1 touches the ball.
• Is the official correct?

Apply the THREE A’s and the ACCURATE RULING becomes obvious.  The official is correct.  This is a backcourt violation.

Here is another Case Play for further clarification…

• A1 is holding the ball in the frontcourt near the Division Line.
• He spins the ball into the backcourt and has it to bounce back to him while he is still in the frontcourt.
• The official rules this to be a violation.
• Is the official correct?

Once again…when we apply the THREE A’s…the ACCURATE RULING becomes obvious.  The official is correct.  This is a backcourt violation.

Let’s now apply the THREE A’s to each of these situations to determine the ACCURACY OF THESE TWO RULINGS…

• Question #1:  Does TEAM A have TEAM Control in their frontcourt?

The Answer:  “YES”…in both Case Plays.  (That is the FIRST A.)

• Question #2:  Which TEAM was the LAST to touch…or be touched by…the ball BEFORE it went into the backcourt?

The Answer:  “TEAM A”…in both Case Plays.  (That is the SECOND A.)

• Question #3:  Which TEAM is the FIRST to touch…or be touched by…the ball AFTER it has gone into the backcourt?

The Answer:  “TEAM A”…in both Case Plays.  (That is the THIRD A.)

One more time…

If ALL THREE A’s are present…a backcourt violation will ALWAYS result.  If either one of the A’s is missing…there can NEVER be a backcourt violation.  So…not only do we basketball officials need to know our ABC’s, but it will certainly serve us well, to know our AAA’s.

Therefore…let’s consider using the term that better describes what basketball officials are charged with doing: CONSISTENT ACCURATE RULINGS. Basketball officials should not have their own personal “strike zone,” their own personal “tolerance levels,” their own personal “philosophy,” nor their own personal “call selection.” Basketball officials (all sports officials) are to ENFORCE THE RULES OF THE GAME. It only makes sense that everyone involved in THE GAME has the right to assume and expect paid officials to KNOW AND ENFORCE the RULES of THE GAME.

When observing basketball officials, we often hear Supervisors, Assigners and other leaders, justify an official’s rulings by stating, “Well…that’s his judgment.” Or…“She has a different ‘call selection’ than her partners.” No where in any support materials can we find that a basketball official’s accuracy is determined by their own “call selection.”

CONSISTENT ACCURACY is only achieved when an official is officiating THE GAME by the RULES of that sport. Basketball officials who KNOW Rule 4.27, Rule 4.23-24 and Rule 10.6 will KNOW the difference between legal and illegal CONTACT. This can be duplicated, which creates CONSISTENT ACCURATE RULINGS.

So…to all you leaders in our officiating “world”…please become an EXPERT of the RULES, so you will KNOW if your Staff Members are making ACCURATE or inaccurate RULINGS. My guess is, your officials are experts on the RULES that pertain to out-of-bounds. They can also become an expert on the RULES that pertain to Guarding/Block/Charge, Traveling, Continuous Motion, etc. Then, we all can say “good-bye” to inconsistent, inaccurate, meaningless terms, such as: “feel for the game”…“call selection”…“well, that’s his judgment”…, etc. Because…if his “feel”…his “selection”…or his “judgment” cannot be supported by THE RULES OF THE GAME…it is time to TRAIN that official until his “consistency” becomes ACCURATE CONSISTENCY.

The fear of this “infection” has been around for years, and often discussed at meetings, pre-game conferences, magazines and other printed materials.  Now, after all these years, this VIRUS has been officially identified and named by the authorities, as:  INCONSISTENITUS.

It was first spotted at the professional level of play, then…the college level and now…some high school contests’ officials have been infected.  The good news is…some officials appear to be immune, as they continue to go about their prescribed duties, with no symptoms, whatsoever.  When interviewed, many admitted that they have shared the same locker rooms, been on the same courts, drank from the same water fountains, and used the same restrooms, as the officials who are obviously infected with the VIRUS.  The only apparent explanation seems to be that the infected officials have not been as diligent in studying from the same materials, therefore being easily impressed and persuaded by “other infected, more experienced” officials.

There is good news, however, as the SOURCE has been identified and so has the CURE.

It has become very clear to those in authority, and to THE GAME, that the SOURCE has been embraced, while the CURE has seemingly taken a “back seat” during the performance of well-defined duties of the on-court officials.  In a national effort to stop the spreading of INCONSISTENITUS, the Rules Committees have now been forced to mandate, through their Points Of Emphasis, that all officials are to ENFORCE THE RULES OF THE GAME…AS WRITTEN.  Such a “mandate,” after 119 years, came as a shock to many, but that is what had to be done, in an effort to begin the “healing process.”

After interviewing hundreds of officials from all levels of competition, not one of them recognized that they were “infected” and some were in obvious denial, as they insisted that they were well-trained and performing their duties, as instructed.  Further investigation revealed Basketball Officials to be men and women of high character, integrity and above reproach.  These folks are “really very good people!”

Therefore, somewhere along the way, many game officials were getting “infected” with this VIRUS by “carriers” who were training and teaching officials to “Trust their partners,” but failing to instruct them to TRUST THE RULES OF THE GAME.  Therein, is the real SOURCE of this dreaded VIRUS.

As the probing continued, it was realized that within the SOURCE itself, there were numerous components that have “fed the VIRUS,” thereby deceiving the “infected official” into thinking and believing that his/her actions and choices were “the real right way” of officiating basketball games.  Some of those components are:

• On-Going Mechanics Training Without Rules Knowledge Training
• Individual Interpretations Regarding The Rules Of THE GAME
• Individual Officials Having Their Own Versions And Attitudes Of Rules Enforcement
• Organizations And Individuals Using A Philosophical Approach To Officiating
• Emphasis On Stated GUIDELINES, Rather Than On Learning And Enforcing The Rules Of THE GAME
• Officials Becoming An Expert At The Things They Are Not Asked To Do By Basketball
• Officials Better At Putting 1/10 Of A Second Back On The Clock Than They Are At Recognizing A Pivot Foot
• Officials Looking For Reasons Not To Enforce Certain Rules…At Certain Times
• Teaching That Game Management Is Something Acceptable That Officials Do “Outside” The Rules Of THE GAME.  Such As These Old Myths:
“If It’s A Block On This End…Let’s Make Sure It’s A Block On The Other End.”
“Let’s Make Sure The 5^th Foul Is A Good One.”
“Don’t Let The Foul Counts Get Out Of Balance.”
“The Fans Didn’t Come To See The Best Player Sit On The Bench.”
“Selling Calls” Has Replaced The Composed, Dignified And Prideful Method of Officiating
Officials With An, “It Doesn’t Matter” Attitude
• Teaching That The On-Court Officials Are To Also Perform The Duties Of The Game Managers, Scorers And Timers
• Officials Not Knowing The Rules
• Officials With Their Own Personal Tolerance Level, Regarding Participants’ Behavior
• Officials Applying Advantage/Disadvantage To Some Violations
• “Tricks Of The Trade”…Rather Than “Mastery Of The Trade”
• Officials Being Hired Based On The Latest “Look” Or Style
Too Much Style And Not Enough Substance

All of the above lead to a break-down in the “consistent” performance of officials; thus, the VIRUS continues to spread.

Fortunately…the GUARDIANS OF THE GAME have identified a CURE, which is being prescribed around the “basketball world,” for all who have been exposed to the SOURCE.

The prescription for the identified CURE is immediately available and can be obtained FREE OF CHARGE.  However…there are a few changes and modifications required.

Once the antidote has been applied, positive “health changes” will be noticed immediately, as the RULINGS on the court, will align themselves with the RULES, as they are written in the Rules Book.  Realizing that consistent INACCURATE rulings are not the desired results, many officials are already eliminating the term, “consistency” and have replaced it with:  “CONSISTENT ACCURATE RULINGS.”

To CURE this VIRUS and STOP this epidemic from continuing to spread, officials everywhere are to immediately apply the CURE.

C…CARE About Every Aspect Of The Assigned Task

U…UNDERSTAND That The Rules Committees Have Not Left Us Wondering, “What Did They Mean?”

R…RULES Knowledge Is The Foundation Upon Which Your Career Is To Be Built

E…EVERYTHING We Do Matters!

So…if you suspect that you have been exposed to INCONSISTENITUS, be sure to immediately re-read the Rules Book, the Case Book and the Officials Manual and FOLLOW DIRECTIONS AS WRITTEN.  Your condition will “clear up” almost instantly and you will be doing your part in stopping INCONSISTENT RULINGS and eliminating the VIRUS that has infected THE GAME.

“I wouldn’t have called that.”

“I would have passed on that.”

“The game didn’t need that call.”

“The game needed a foul called there.”

“If it’s a foul on this end, let’s make sure it’s a foul on the other end.”

“He’s not bothering me while he’s out of the coaching box.”

“Let’s make sure the fifth foul is a good one.”

“The coach is not going to like that.”

“Let’s keep an eye on the foul counts.”

And the justifying, rationalizing comments continue…

What is interesting is, upon further study, we find that there seems to be no philosophical approach to RULINGS pertaining to VIOLATIONS.  Officials have even received memos mandating that all officials are to call violations BY THE RULES.  In the midst of all this is obvious confusion and uncertainty, as officials work diligently to achieve accurate consistency, which can only be obtained…another way.

When leaders of organizations…or individuals…feel it necessary to create their own “version” by which to “call the game,” one would have to question either their RULES KNOWLEDGE or their willingness to abide by the RULES OF THE GAME.  Where are the instructions to simply “call the game” “BY THE RULES OF THE GAME?”  Where are the instructions to “CARE ABOUT THE GAME” and “HONOR THE CODES” by which the basketball official is to be measured?

All too often, Trainers, Interpreters and/or Supervisors teach that violations are to be called “By The Rules,” but RULINGS ON CONTACT are to be a “PERSONAL THING”…or an organization’s “Philosophical Approach.”  A philosophy is a “personal approach” or “personal opinion.”  The GAME OF BASKETBALL IS BIGGER than some unique PHILOSOPHY.  Is it any wonder coaches often ask officials, “How are you guys calling hand-checking tonight?”  “How are you going to call over-the-back?”  “How are you guys calling 3-Seconds tonight?”  For “some reason” they never ask, “How are you guys calling out-of-bounds?”

The purpose here is to make it clear, just as the Rules Committees have done:

“The RULES Pertaining To CONTACT Are Just As RULE-BASED…             As The Rules Pertaining To Violations.”

The RULES are very clear as to what CONTACT is ILLEGAL & what CONTACT is LEGAL.  Some may be surprised to learn that LEGAL CONTACT even has a name:  INCIDENTAL CONTACT.  By the way… sometimes the most severe CONTACT in the game is INCIDENTAL.  Other times, the slightest touch is a FOUL…by RULE.

THE RULES OF CONTACT (Let’s give the Rules Committees the “credit” they deserve.)

FOULS

A FOUL is defined in Federation RULE 4.19 & NCAA RULE 4.26 as…“An INFRACTION of the RULES, which is charged and penalized.”  Officials can easily recognize these INFRACTIONS, if they KNOW THE RULES, which pertain to CONTACT.

There are several types of fouls, but all fouls are categorized as either PERSONAL or TECHNICAL.

Personal Fouls are CONTACT fouls, which occur while the ball is LIVE.

(There is a NFHS & NCAA Women Airborne Shooter Rule exception.)

 • Technical Fouls are NON-CONTACT fouls which may occur whether the ball is live or dead.  However…contact fouls that occur while the ball is dead are technical.

(There is a NFHS & NCAA Women Airborne Shooter Rule exception.)

INCIDENTAL (LEGAL) CONTACT IS PERMITTED BY RULE

Federation RULE 4.27 & NCAA RULE 4.38 define LEGAL CONTACT as simply INCIDENTAL CONTACT.  This type CONTACT with an opponent is PERMITTED and is NOT to be ruled as a foul.  Please don’t refer to it as “Common Sense Officiating”… it is INCIDENTAL CONTACT, which is a RULE.  The Rules Committees demonstrate their awareness of INCIDENTAL CONTACT, when they write, “When 10 players are moving rapidly in a limited area some contact is certain to occur.”  As previously stated…it is possible, according to Federation RULE 4.27.2 & NCAA RULE 4.38.2, that the most SEVERE CONTACT in the game could be ruled as INCIDENTAL CONTACT.

The RULES Specifically Instruct Officials To Rule The Following CONTACT As INCIDENTAL:

• Unintentional Contact To Reach A Loose Ball
• Contact That Occurs When Opponents Are In Equally Favorable Positions To Perform Normal Game Movements
• Contact Which Does Not Hinder The Opponent From Participating In Normal Game Movements
• Contact Which Is Created As A Result Of A “Blind Screen”…As Long As The Contact Doesn’t Cause Traveling

When studying and learning the RULES OF CONTACT… it becomes very clear that the RULES COMMITTEES had no intention that rulings pertaining to CONTACT be a “philosophical approach.”  The GAME and the RULES OF THE GAME are governed by these Committees and therefore no other organization should “anoint” itself as the authority and instruct officials to “call the game” by a “philosophy.”  The game is to be called by the RULES; those that pertain to violations AND those that pertain to CONTACT.  There seems to be no “philosophical approach” to calling the violations of the game, and there need not be a “philosophical approach” when RULINGS are made that pertain to CONTACT.

Additional Support that the RULES OF THE GAME are well-written as they define and describe what is LEGAL CONTACT and what is ILLEGAL CONTACT, is documented in RULE 10.  RULE 10 provides a very detailed description of CONTACT that is an INFRACTION of the rules…a FOUL.

FEDERATION RULE 10.6.1 & NCAA RULE 10.20.1 STATE THE FOLLOWING:

A Player Shall NOT…

Hold

• Push
• Charge
• Trip
• Use Rough Tactics
• Impede The Progress By Extending…
An Arm
A Shoulder
A Hip
A Knee
• Or…By Bending The Body
• Contact An Opponent With His/Her Hands
Use Of Hands In Any Way That Inhibits The Freedom Of Movement Is A Foul
• Extend Arms…Fully Or Partially (Other Than Vertically)…To Inhibit Freedom Of Movement Of An Opponent…Is A Foul
• Use The Forearm And/Or Hand To Prevent An Opponent From Getting To A Ball Being Dribbled… or During A Try For Goal
• Charge Into An Opponent During Or After A Try For Goal… Even If It Is Involuntary Momentum

CONTACT BY THE DRIBBLER…

WHAT THE DRIBBLER CANNOT DO IS DOCUMENTED BY RULE

Federation RULE 10.6.2 & NCAA RULE 10.21…Dribbler…States Very Clearly That:

A Dribbler Shall Not…

• Charge Into An Opponent
• Contact An Opponent In His/Her Path
• Attempt To Dribble Between An Opponent And A Boundary Line, Unless There Is Enough Space To Avoid Contact
• Attempt To Dribble Between Two Opponents, Unless There Is Enough Space To Avoid Contact.

CONTACT BY THE SCREENER…

WHAT THE SCREENER CANNOT DO IS DOCUMENTED BY RULE

Federation RULE 10.6.3 & NCAA RULE 10.22 describe CONTACT Pertaining To SCREENS, and is Very Precise, Where It States:

A Player Who Screens Shall Not…

• Set A “Blind Screen” Closer Than One Normal Step
• Make Contact With The Opponent When Setting A “Visual Screen”
• Set A Screen So Close To A Moving Opponent That The Moving Opponent Cannot Stop Or Change Directions
• Move To Maintain A Screen

If a screener violates any of these provisions and CONTACT occurs…(which is not INCIDENTAL) he/she has committed a PERSONAL FOUL.

CONTACT BY THE SCREENED PLAYER…

WHAT THE SCREENED OPPONENT CANNOT DO IS DOCUMENTED BY RULE

Federation RULE 10.6.3 Continues Describing…

What The Player Who Is Being Screened Can And Cannot Do:

• A Player Who Is Screened With A “Visual Screen” Is Expected To Avoid Contact.
• A Player Who Is Screened With A “Blind Screen” Is Allowed To Make Inadvertent Contact With The Screener.  This CONTACT Is LEGAL And Is To Be Ruled  As INCIDENTAL.  However…The Screened Player, Upon Contact, Is To Stop Or Attempt To Stop.
(Also NCAA RULE 10.22.6) The Screened Player Is Not Allowed To Force His/Her Way Through A Screen By Using:

The Arm(s)
The Hand(s)
The Hip(s)
The Shoulder(s)
Or…Hold The Screener And Then Push The Screener Aside In Order To Maintain A Guarding Position.

Again…the RULES COMMITTEES, over the years, have created a well-written document known as:  THE RULES OF THE GAME.  These well-defined RULES are not only for violations.  The leaders of officials, at all levels, should FIRST insure that their staff is very knowledgeable of all the RULES OF THE GAME.

GUARDING IS WELL-DOCUMENTED BY RULE

In learning the RULES pertaining to CONTACT… officials are required to also know the RULES, which describe in detail, what the defender and the offensive player are allowed to do during a GUARDING situation.  When officials learn the basic terms pertaining to GUARDING, the RULINGS are not only consistent… but CONSISTENTLY CORRECT.

Federation RULE 4.23.1 & NCAA RULE 4.33…GUARDING…Begin By Making Four Basic Statements:

1. “Guarding is the act of LEGALLY placing the body in the path of an offensive opponent.”
2. “There is no minimum distance required between the guard and opponent.”
3.  “Every player is entitled to a spot on the playing court, providing such player gets there first, without illegally contacting an opponent.”  (Exception:  NCAA Women’s Rule of Restricted Area In Front of Basket)
4. “A player who extends an arm, shoulder, hip or leg into the path of an opponent, is NOT considered to have a legal position if contact occurs.”

OBTAIN (NFHS) & ESTABLISH (NCAA) ARE DOCUMENTED BY RULE

Federation RULE 4.23.2 & NCAA RULE 4.33.4 Define The Words:  OBTAIN & ESTABLISH…

“To OBTAIN (NFHS)…ESTABLISH (NCAA) a legal GUARDING position, the GUARD must have BOTH feet on the playing court and be FACING the opponent.”  The instant the defender has met these requirements…he/she has OBTAINED (NFHS) / ESTABLISHED (NCAA) an initial legal guarding position.  The offensive player could be on one free throw line and the defensive player on the other free throw line.  Or…it could be “at the last split second,” before CONTACT occurs.  The assumption here is that the guard got to that “spot” on the court without fouling anyone to get there.

MAINTAIN IS DOCUMENTED BY RULE

Federation RULE 4.23.3 & NCAA RULE 4.33.6 is very clear as to what the GUARD is allowed to do and not do…AFTER OBTAINING (NFHS) / ESTABLISHING (NCAA) the legal guarding position.  The guard…

• May Have One Or Both Feet On The Court (or in the air)
• May Be Airborne
• Is Not Required To Continue Facing The Opponent
• May Move In Any Direction, With One Exception:  Can’t Be Moving Toward The Opponent When Contact Occurs
• May Turn Or Duck To Absorb The Shock Of Imminent Contact

So… officials must know that AFTER OBTAINING (NFHS) / ESTABLISHING (NCAA)… the guard, while in the MAINTAINING mode, can do ANYTHING AND BE LEGAL…except one thing:  CAUSE THE CONTACT.  In each Block/Charge CONTACT situation, the covering official must ask, “Did the guard do anything wrong?”  If not…the foul should not be charged to the defender.  BY RULE.

UNOFFICIAL TERM:  “BEATEN”

The defender remains in the MAINTAINING MODE until he/she is “BEATEN.”  Federation Rule 10.6.2 clarifies this term where it states, “If the dribbler, without contact, sufficiently passes an opponent to have HEAD and SHOULDERS in advance of that opponent, the greater responsibility for subsequent contact is on the opponent.”  In other words…the offensive player must get head and both shoulders past the front of the torso to have “BEATEN” the opponent.  If the offensive player does not “BEAT” the defender…the foul can NOT be on the defender.

Also…once “BEATEN,” the defensive player must once again OBTAIN (NFHS) / ESTABLISH (NCAA) a legal guarding position.  In other words…the defender cannot MAINTAIN until he/she has once again OBTAINED/ESTABLISHED.

“TIME & DISTANCE” IS DOCUMENTED BY RULE

Federation RULE 4.23.4a & NCAA RULE 4.33.4.c states:  “NO TIME OR DISTANCE is required to OBTAIN (NFHS) / ESTABLISH (NCAA) an initial legal position.”

Federation RULES 4.23.4b & 4.23.5b and NCAA RULE 4.33.4.d states…

“If the opponent is airborne (with or without the ball)… the guard must have obtained legal position before the opponent left the floor.”

Federation RULE 4.23.5 & NCAA RULE 4.33.5 refer to guarding a MOVING opponent who does NOT have the ball.  Here we find that this opponent gets to be treated differently.  The player with the ball always knows he/she is going to be guarded.  Not so for the MOVING opponent who does NOT have the ball.  Therefore, the defender must allow this player some “TIME & DISTANCE” to avoid contact.

So… once again, THE RULES COMMITTEES deserve much credit for the clarity used.  The ONLY opponent who gets this “special treatment” of “TIME & DISTANCE” is the MOVING OPPONENT who does NOT have the ball.

CONCLUSION

Officials MONITOR the activities of everyone involved in the game and make RULINGS based on these activities.  The question is:  “How can officials consistently make accurate rulings on rules they don’t know?”  Answer:  They can’t.  Officials can’t get RULINGS correct regarding violations without RULES KNOWLEDGE and neither can they get RULINGS correct regarding CONTACT without RULES KNOWLEDGE.

Every time CONTACT occurs…the covering official makes a “call.”  Sometimes the “call” is accompanied by a whistle (foul) and sometimes the “call” has no whistle.  This “call” is INCIDENTAL CONTACT.  Either way…with or without a whistle…the official has made a RULING.

This RULING can be…and MUST BE…based on THE RULES OF THE GAME.  The official is not there to just “simply pass judgment,” but to RULE ACCURATELY.  When officials KNOW THE RULES… ACCURATE RULINGS will more often be the CONSISTENT end result.

So…officials must KNOW THE RULES and ENFORCE THE RULES…and leave the PHILOSOPHIES to the PHILOSOPHERS.  By the way…the “Tower Philosophy” was, and is, well-intended.  The only word that creates problems is:  PHILOSOPHY.  The entire effort by Mr. Bunn, was to get officials to understand that there is LEGAL (INCIDENTAL) CONTACT in the game of basketball.

Everyone involved in the game must know that VIOLATIONS AND CONTACT RULINGS are all RULE-BASED.  The Rules Committees have not left us wondering:  “What did they really mean?”  Nor did they intend for each organization to create its own unique approach, version or Philosophy.  When it comes to VIOLATIONS and CONTACT RULINGS…“LET’S ALL CALL THE GAMES BY THE RULES.”

Schools sponsor sports & other extracurricular activities, because of the ADDITIONAL EDUCATION received by the students when participating.  This ADDITIONAL EDUCATION is in the form of “FAVORABLE MESSAGES,” the participants can receive as a result of their experiences.

Some, But Not All, Of These Very Valuable and “Favorable Messages” Are:

Good Sportsmanship

Fair Play Competition

Learning to Follow Instructions

Striving to Accomplish…& Succeeding

Learning To Lose Graciously & With Dignity

Goal Setting

Adhering to Standards

Dress Codes

Abiding By Rules

Working with Others (Teamwork, Group Conduct, Public Conduct, etc.)

Respect for Authority

Controlling Emotions

Discipline

Everyone involved In The Game Of Basketball Should Be Working As A Cohesive Unit, And Accept Responsibility For Assisting The Student Athletes, In Achieving These “Favorable Messages!”

These “Favorable Messages” Must TAKE PRIORITY Over Learning The Individual Skills Of Basketball And Also TAKE PRIORITY Over The Attitudes Of “Winning The Game At All Cost.”

EVERYONE INVOLVED is responsible for maintaining certain STANDARDS and for maintaining the INTEGRITY of the game.

EVERYONE INVOLVED must realize and accept the fact that coaches and officials are a VITAL PART of the EDUCATIONAL PROCESS.

It is crucial that EVERYONE INVOLVED, understand that the coaches and officials are SERVING the high schools in their respective roles.

When there is a breakdown in cooperation or negative criticism of one group by another…EVERYONE LOSES…including the game of basketball.

It is very much the DUTY and ROLE of the Coach and Official to CARE ABOUT, MONITOR and ENFORCE RULES pertaining to Appearance, Verbal & Physical Conduct and Sportsmanship in general.  Sportsmanship is a priority.

The Coaches Code of Ethics, the Officials Code of Ethics and the Rules Book & Manual make this very clear to the coaches and officials.

Again…there is a “BIG PICTURE,” which is the purpose of this non-classroom activity, and that is to have the student athlete receive and “take away” “FAVORABLE MESSAGES” from the experience of participating.

Coaches and Officials are REPRESENTATIVES and GUARDIANS of the game.  The major charge to these “GUARDIANS” is the maintenance of STANDARDS, DIGNITY and INTEGRITY of the game and its purpose.

Coaches and Officials should aid the schools in blending competitiveness, hard work and the desire to win, with favorable, positive attitudes and behavior.

COACHES AND OFFICIALS owe it to our young athletes to give them the PROPER GUIDANCE to help them learn LIFETIME VALUES.

Coaches and Officials must assume the responsibilities of being in a “ROLE MODEL” position.

“As Basketball Officials, It Is Our Obligation To Assist The Schools In Carrying Out Their Mission Statement.”