Riverton CC Sports - Region
Basketball Officiating 101 for Church Ball Referees
1. Blow your whistle quickly and LOUDLY even if you are unsure. This conveys confidence and helps
you maintain game control.
2. Call fouls immediately and confidently. Failure to do so will cause anger and frustration from
players, coaches and fans.
3. Blow your whistle whenever the ball goes out of bounds, and for any violation.
4. For inexperienced players (for example, little Beehives) you can let little violations slide so they
can just have fun and a good experience. Always call fouls.
5. If you blow your whistle and then become uncertain what to do, or feel that you may be making a
mistake, don’t hesitate to motion to the other ref and go talk with him. If he is unable to help, you
can announce “no call – inadvertent whistle” and give the ball back to whoever had possession. Or
simply call a jump ball for alternating possession.
6. Talk to players to avoid future penalties. For example, it’s appropriate to say loudly to a player
“get your hands off” when he’s got hands too much on an opponent; or “get out of the key” when
someone is camping in the key. Minimize 3-in-key calls. This is called too much.
7. Do not tolerate repeated complaints or disrespect from players, coaches, or fans. Use warnings
and technical fouls to control players and coaches. Use the stake rep in a suit to help, and to
control fans when necessary.
8. If you begin having trouble with a player who has a coach present, try to get the coach to correct
the problem before you have to resort to warnings and technicals.
9. Do not hesitate to warn a coach, or issue a technical foul, if he gets too vocal with complaints, or
becomes disrespectful or out of control. If a coach receives a technical foul he is required to:
a. Remain seated for the rest of the game while the game is in progress. He can stand during
dead balls.
b. Say nothing to the officials except “time out”. Those are the only words he is allowed to say
to the officials after receiving a technical. He can talk to his players, etc.
10. When a player receives a technical foul he must sit for 3 minutes of game time, which carries over
to his next game when applicable. When a player or coach receives 2 technicals in the same game,
he is automatically ejected—no exceptions. He is disqualified for the rest of the season unless he
gets a letter from the stake president allowing him back.
11. You must put a stop to escalating physicality to avoid rising anger and fights. Call every foul.
12. Never allow players to change your mind on a call. Once you make the call, that’s it. One exception
may be ball out of bounds: if a player wants to make an honor call, you can change your call if you
wish. But NEVER change your call on fouls, or you may lose control of the game.
13. There are dozens of things that a ref must think about during a game. Don’t get overwhelmed; just
relax and call what you see. If all you can remember to do is call fouls and blow your whistle
loudly, that is enough for now. As you ref more you’ll get better.
14. If you are working with a more experienced ref, ask him to critique you and give you advice.
15. Learn and use correct hand signals. This is the best way to communicate violations to players,
coaches, the score table, and fans.
MOST IMPORTANT: Blow your whistle QUICKLY and LOUDLY.