Basketball Referees United

10/27/2025

"Call it both ways" is a popular, but silly phrase said by a crybaby fan or coach or player that really wants you to call it 1 way - His way!

You can Ignore it. But if it becomes a disruption address it.

The phrase kinda implies that you're cheating, so you may want to nip this in the bud as soon as possible.

12/26/2021

10/11/2018

Why is there so much confusion around officials 3 point mechanics and signalling responsibilities on a 3 point try? A 2nd-year official asked me the other day about his signalling responsibilities from the lead in 2-person mechanics. After I explained to him what the leads responsibilities were, he went on to tell me he asked four different vets and they all told him something different. [ 766 more words ]

There's a ton of mis information surounding the proper NFHS 3 point mechanics. This article will make the subject a lot clearer. Manual references included.

10/04/2018

Turnbacks: Do it the Right Way

There is a right way to turn back a game. It goes a long way in determining how you are perceived and how the affected assigner will deal with you in the future.

10/03/2018

Nine out of ten fans watching basketball games are following the ball. Wherever the ball goes their eyes follow. Ball watching, unfortunately, is a problem of many officials as well. Usually, basketball officials are fans of the game, but we have to be able to separate the fan and official when we're working a game. An official that consistently ball watches… [ 1,094 more word ]

If you ball watch you're asking for a disaster in your game. This article focuses on ball watching and why it's so important to focus on off-ball coverage.

09/28/2018

Your Ruling is?
https://www.facebook.com/woody.wu.9216/videos/331498704010665/

09/27/2018

A sure-fire way to set the tone for a game is to have a proper pre-game talk with your partner(s). A good pre-game talk will get all officials on the same page so we know what to expect going into the game. On the level, it's a preparation to officiate the game, but if we look deeper, there's more to it. [ 950 more words ]

Want a disaster? Go into a game without having a decent pre-game talk with your partners. In this article we discuss why the pre-game is so important.

09/19/2018

https://basketball-referees.com/facial-expressions/
Why You Should Keep Your Funny Faces to Yourself

09/10/2018

Tweeeet!!!! You want your first whistle to be one your sure about. A ruling you feel one hundred per cent confident of. You always want your whistle to have a strong and confident sound. One that makes everyone know you meant it and you're sure about. But in this article, I want to focus in on your first whistle of the game. [ 717 more words ]

How important is the first whistle you blow in your games? This article we discuss the importance of having a strong - sharp firts whistle and what follows.

09/08/2018

Call it Both Ways Ref!!!

The phrase "Call it Both Ways Ref" has been heard by every official. In this article I go into the reasons it's said, and how you should handle it.

09/06/2018

https://basketball-referees.com

Basketball Officiating Tips & Techniques To Fine-tune Your officiating Skills - Free!

Some of the best tips & techniques in our weekly blog that will keep you sharp before, during and after the season.