Long Island District Board # 41

Notes from the Interpreter

Announcements/Reminders November 2011

1) NFHS Clarifications/Corrections:

Correction - Case Book page 11, 2.10.1 Situation E ---- delete; review oversight, wrong answer due to rules change 4.12.1,2,6

Clarification - Rule edit within 9.9.1 – the addition of words “player and” was not intended to affect/change the backcourt violation rulings. There is no change in the rule. If there has been player control in the backcourt there is no requirement to have player control again in the frontcourt. There only needs to be frontcourt status in order to have a backcourt violation occur.

Protective Equipment – The rule edit 3.5.1 and Note supports the use of equipment which enables injured or disabled players to participate. The rule authorizes a state association to grant exceptions in favor of participants with disabilities, special needs and/or other extenuating circumstances. Of course such equipment must meet safety standards. Should exception exist Board Interpreters and Assigners need to communicate such decisions to officials as it is important not to have pre-game concerns which might upset
a team member.

Basket Ring – Rule 1.11.2,3; a Note has been added which recommends that schools have the basket rings tested for rules compliance. It is suggested that Board’s Interpreters correspond with athletic administrators, making them aware of the NFHS Note of recommendation. Many school gymnasiums get multiple use (recreation, summer basketball, men’s league) and rings become loose and not level. Often rings are so loose they “catch” the ball. It is suggested that rings should be checked (pre-season and mid-season) and calibrated.

2) Scorer, Timer and Shot Clock Operator Instruction sheets have been sent, by the IAABO office, to Board Secretaries. They can be downloaded and emailed to the athletic administrators of the schools your Board services.

3) IAABO’s “Tips & Taps” is sent to each IAABO Board weekly. Each issue consists of a topic, five (5) topic appropriate questions and one or two video clips. It is the hope of the IAABO office that each Board secretary is prompt at forwarding the “Tips & Taps” to the membership.

Coordinator of Interpreters Commentary

Officials are not THE guardians of the game of basketball. However, officials are one of the KEY guardians of the game of basketball and especially of the perception of officiating. Therefore, much is expected of the official. In schoolboy and schoolgirl officiating, upon accepting an assignment the official has agreed to be part of the education process.

As Interpreters we have the charge of encouraging and expecting officials to prepare for the upcoming season just as coaches and players prepare. Schools, coaches and players are expecting and deserve a thoroughly prepared and professional staff of officials. Boards and individual officials need to assess weaknesses, strengths and have improvement goals in place. In order for improvement to take place Interpreters and Trainers must provide the leadership and ALL officials must be expected to buy into pre-season training including a physical fitness plan, attendance at Board planned clinics, rules study groups, mechanics and signals drill sessions (counting, toss, at the site of foul procedure, at the site of violation procedure, reporting procedure, etc.).

Annual review of the basics of Crew of 2 & 3 mechanics featuring Primary Coverage Areas, Field of Vision Cone coverage concept along with emphasis on always keeping in mind Adjusting/Moving to Improve coverage. Impress upon the officials that they are expected to Enforce the Rules. Enforce the rules with no regard for the score or time situation. There is no room for individual or Board versions of the rules. One Rule, One Interpretation!!!

Point out strongly that every situation matters. CARE! There are Two Teams to consider in every ruling situation. Each situation matters to Both Teams. Rules do not favor the defense or offense. In a match-up, both players’ play must be measured by the rule in place for the particular existing situation. There is no such thing as a “NO CALL.” A ruling must be made – a legal ruling which does not require an accompanying whistle or an illegal ruling which requires an accompanying whistle. An official never “passes” on a situation.

Place emphasis on the concern about Head Injury/Potential Concussion – CARE. Make an error on being on the safe, remove players rather than waiting for further concern/evidence. The Referee should learn/know who the on site Health Care Attendant is.

Specific Areas Needing Attention in IAABO land as note during a multiple states observation tour:

“Hit & Run” at the site of the foul ruling, at the site of violation ruling and at the site of time-out ruling – eliminate these tactics.

Time-out requests granted when there is no player control and over-emphatic reaction when granting a time-out. Composure! It is simply a time-out , just another ruling.

Toss. There are more illegal tosses than legal. Game begins with an illegal play and it is accepted by the officiating crew. Why isn’t the appropriate ruling made with a re-toss following?

Verticality. The rule applies equally to the defensive and offensive player (shooting/defending situation, rebound situation, other situations). Often “boxing out” becomes backing out by the player “boxing-out.”
Unfortunately, too often the foul is ruled on the player being pushed by the player “boxing out.”

Free throw lane line violations being ignored on a wholesale basis. Officials are not applying the rule and advantages, which matter a great deal, are occurring. Often the un-penalized player’s result is affecting scoring in his/her teams favor when the opposition, instead, should be awarded another free throw attempt.

Counting - Laxness in applying the closely guarded rule & count ranges from a) not starting the count on time; b) not applying it when defender is within 6 feet or less; c) signaling “not closely guarded’ when the defender is within 6 feet; d) not counting at all. The fact is, an official should find it necessary to be very constantly counting throughout the game. It matters!!

Overtime, Referee, be sure to be thorough with informing scorer, timer, teams of the rules in place (time-outs; 4 minutes; direction of teams line-up; starts with jump ball (don’t take such things for granted).

Continuous Motion, be very aware that it is a “basketball rule given right” that the offensive player may try for goal anyplace, anytime, anyhow he/she chooses provided he/she does so legally. He/she only has to have merely begun the act of trying for goal and whether or not he/she is in touch with the floor is of no significance. There are too many official aborted continuous motions.

Thank you for all that you do toward the improvement of high school basketball officials and officiating. Best wishes for a successful start of the 2011-12 officiating season.

"One Rule, One Interpretation"

"Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated." - Lou Holtz