Have you ever been to a basketball game? If yes, you might notice a man wearing zebra stripes shirtmaking continuous hand gestures in the court. This man is the one we call a referee.
A referee plays a crucial part in a basketball game. No matter which level of basketball competition you are playing, a referee will always be a part of the game.
Nowadays, people are so obsessed with basketball players that nobody pays any attention to the referees.
But we are going to change that today!
In this post, we are going to discuss basketball referees and their roles and responsibilities.
Who is a Basketball Referee?
A referee is commonly known as “ref.” They are the authority who is responsible for running a basketball match from a neutral point of view.
They keep a close eye on the game and make sure that the players are following the rules. Moreover, they have thorough knowledge about basketball and are in charge of the game. They have to make essential decisions in the game.
Without a referee, we cannot enjoy a fair game. They help to maintain the dignity of the game by following proper rules.
Number of Referees in Basketball?
Like all the other sports that are more than one referee in basketball, referees have to manage multiple things in a basketball game.
They are a part of the official team that manages the game.
So, there are three referees in a basketball game.
Difference between Basketball Referee and Crew Chief:
The referee is the one who makes decisions in a basketball game. They decide if it is a foul, violation or fair play.
But when there is a dispute, the final decision is made by the crew chief. A crew chief is the head of the official in basketball. Their decision is final.
Basketball Referee Roles and Responsibilities
Now that we know the necessary details, it’s time to learn about basketball referee roles and responsibilities.
Equipment Checking
Referees have to check the basketball equipment before every game. All the equipment that will be used in the games goes through thorough checking to make sure nothing is rigged. They have to check the hoop, ball, floor as well as backboard.
Ball Pressure
They have to check the pressure of the ball that will be used in the game. Ball pressure can severely affect the game, so referees have to make sure the pressure is stable. The pressure should be between 7.5 to 8.5 pounds.
Uniform Check
The referee has to check each player’s uniform. If there is any illegal equipment in their uniform, it will be a violation. They have to remove all the illegal equipment.
Roster
They have to check the team roster size. They also have to check the active list. It helps them to know which players will be actively playing the game.
Toss the Ball
They have to toss the ball in jump balls. It signals the start of the match. Because the referee remains neutral, they have to throw the ball.
Ball Possession
They have to decide the possession of the ball during throw-ins. The referee makes the call that which team player should have the possession of the ball on throw-ins.
Free Throw
They are also responsible for giving the ball to the free-throw shooter. It is an important decision which only referees can make.
Calling Fouls
It is one of the essential roles of a referee. As we know, foul is a penalty and can easily change the game. There are many types of fouls in basketball.
- Flagrant Fouls
- Personal Fouls
- Technical Fouls
- Team Fouls
- Player Fouls
Referees have to decide fouls. They have to call fouls in a basketball game to make sure the game is fair.
Calling Violation
Along with fouls, they also have to call during the violation. It is less severe than fouls. Violation happens mostly during dribbling and time mistakes. Referees have to call a violation in the basketball court.
Dead Ball
Referees also have to signal a dead ball in the game. They do it by blowing the whistle.
Maintaining Order
Referees are also responsible for maintaining the order and dignity of the game by making quick decisions. They have to make sure there is no brawl or fights in the game.
Game Flow
They have to make sure the game flows smoothly. They call fouls and violations to keep the game going on.
Basketball Referee Hand Signals
In a basketball game, a referee makes a call by blowing the whistle and making hand signals. This is their way of communication. If you are new to basketball, you will have quite tricky in following these signals.
Here are some standard hand signals made by a basketball referee.
- Three Second Rule: It is a minor penalty. The signal is “raising one arm and three fingers.”
- Twenty-Second Timeout: It signals the break. The sign is “raising both the arms and folding them to inner shoulder.”
- Charging: It is an offensive foul. The signal is “right arm is extended out to make a T shape with the body.”
- Holding: It is done when a defender holds and opposing player. The signal is “one hand holding the wrist.”
- Illegal Screen: It is done during a pick by an offensive player. The sign is “crossing arms on the upper chest.”
- Jump Ball: It is done when a jump ball is needed. The signal is “making thumbs-up using both arms.”
- Personal Foul: The signal is “raising one arm and closing the fist.”
- Technical Foul: The signal is “making T motion using arms and hands.”
- Traveling: It indicates that the player has turned the ball over. The sign is “using arms and hands to make a circling motion at chest level.”
5 Best NBA Referees
Here is a list of 5 best NBA referees of all time.
- Violet RenicePlamer
- Hue Spencer Hollins
- Zachary Zarba
- Norm Drucker
- Mendy Rudolph
This is all you need to know about basketball referee roles and responsibilities. Next time when you watch a basketball game, make sure you appreciate the referee as well.
