BASKETBAL
GENERAL
MECHANICS
GENERAL MECHANICS
Mechanics must be uniform
 They tell the story to coaches and
spectators
 They help officials communicate to each
other
 Use NFHS mechanics

1. General
A. Importance of proper mechanics and
positioning
 B. Watch and work with other officials
 C. Proper repetition builds good
mechanics
 D. Don’t draw attention to yourself
 E. Have others critique you
 F. Practice your mechanics

2. Pre-game duties

A.
 B.
 C.
 D.
Stretch and warm-up off the court
Inspect the facilities
Test the game ball
Check the players
• Match with scorebook
• Equipment
• Jewelry

E. Coaches and captains meeting
• Emphasize good sportsmanship
3. Review at Main Table
A.
 B.
 C.
 D.
 E.
 F.
 G.

Timing provisions
Scoring provisions
Possession arrow
Substitutions
Foul situations
Official warnings
Starters/Roster
4. Jump Ball
A. Mechanics
 B. Proper toss
 C. Possible re-toss
 D. Check possession arrow

5. Foul Calls
A. Non-calling official should freeze
 B. Double whistle situations
 C. Designate shooter or out-of-bounds
spot
 D. Reporting mechanics
 E. Switch positions(2 or 3-person)
 F. Hold on time-out requests

6. Free-Throw Administration
A.
 B.
 C.
 D.
 E.

Multiple throws
Lane responsibilities
Signaling
Communication
Technical/Intentional Foul
7. Throw-ins
A.
 B.
 C.
 D.
 E.

Partner eye-contact
Check for substitutes
Line responsibilities(2 or 3-person)
No unnecessary whistles
Hand or Bounce the ball
• Hand on baseline
• Bounce on sideline with pressure
8. Timing Counts
A. Three seconds
 B. Five seconds (throw-ins and closely
guarded)
 C. Ten seconds (backcourt and freethrow)

9. Time-outs
A. Positions
 B. Location of throw-in and possession
 C. First horn go to notify coach of first
horn and stay with them until they come
out of the huddle. *(IHSA modification)
 D. Resumption of play procedure

10. Substitutions
A. No whistle unless necessary
 B. Beckoning responsibility
 C. Disqualification (no time-out until
substitute is entered)
 D. Multiple free throws
 E. Injury/bleeding
 F. Technical foul

11. Block/Charge

A. Time-distance-airborne
• With ball
• Without ball

B. Establish legal guarding position
• Referee the defense

C. Consistency
12.Rebounding
A. Displacement of the opponent
 B. Advantage/disadvantage
 C. Get the angle and depth to call it

13. Screening
A.
 B.
 C.
 D.

Off-ball coverage
No moving screens
No impeding the cutters
Advantage/disadvantage
14. Basket
Interference/Goaltending

A. Have a clear understanding of the
rule when awarding or canceling points
• Slapping the backboard can not be interference
or goaltending

B. Get proper depth to call it
• Responsibility
15. Closely-Guarded
A. Guarding position(6 feet and facing)
 B. Separate counts(hold-dribble-hold)
 C. No count in backcourt

16. Fighting
A.
 B.
 C.
 D.

Identify offenders
Monitor bench personnel
Penalize properly
Follow-up with proper paperwork
17. Conduct/Behavior
A.
 B.
 C.
 D.
 E.
 F.

Pre-game warm ups
Taunting/Baiting
Profanity
Sportsmanship
Team members to be seated
Set the tone by being professional
18. Correctable Errors
A. Recognize the time frame
 B. 5 correctable errors (know them)
 C. Bookkeeping vs. correctable
 D. Resumption procedure after the
correction

19. Last-Second Shot
A.
 B.
 C.
 D.
 E.

Trail(2 person)
Opposite Table(3 person)
Communicate prior to final shot
Tip-in only(0.3 seconds)
Discuss thoroughly in pre-game
20. Overtime
A. Communicate with table
 B. Add a time-out and carry over
unused time-outs

21. Bench Decorum
A. Head Coach controls bench
personnel
 B. Communicate don’t converse
 C. Keep coach in the box
 D. Technical causes loss of coaching
box

22. End of Game
A. Take care of any controversy prior to
leaving the court
 B. In the locker room critique the game

IHSA GENERAL MECHANICS THAT
DIFFER FROM NFHS MECHANICS

End of time out on the first horn, go
notify coach and stay with the team until
they come out of the huddle.