Let’s talk about some of the tools in our tool bag to “Run & Manage Our Game”.  As we approach the last few weeks of the High School Basketball regular season, here are some of the tools to keep close to you in every game you officiate.

Pre-Game Captains & Coach Meeting

• Legally equipped (including under garments, uniforms legal and properly worn, jerseys tucked in)
• Shoot Outs & Tournaments –  The designated Home team must wear white (unless prior approved arrangements have been made).  Pay special attention to this and use preventive measures by checking during warm ups to prevent any game time confusion. If you have two teams in colored uniforms, this is a problem!  Address it before you get to game time.  If the designated Home team does not have white jerseys, the game starts with a direct techincal on the coach and the coach looses the coaching box for the game.

Communication

• We’re at a point in the season where things are magnified.  ADs and coaches can be on edge.  Many officials are worn down.  The intensity level on many games at all levels is very high.  Think before you speak.  Understand the importance of thinking through the wording of your answers to questions.  ADs and coaches want us to be professional and approachable.  Please do all you can to give solid answers to questions, making sure your replies are rules based, professional and courteous.  Answer a Coach’s questions, IGNORE comments.  Also remember that you have the coaches warning in your toolbox when needed.
• Players to Officials, Officials to Players – Don’t react.  Respond when needed, control when neccesary
• Be Professional to the Scorer’s Table, they are a large part of your crew

Sportsmanship

• Bench Decorum (Head Coach vs Assistant Coach)
• Coaches Box
• Officiate DEAD BALLS as hard as LIVE BALLS
• Taunting & Baiting – “Know what was said”
• Manage game changers and disruptors off the bench
• Do not allow coaches to manage our game

Game Awareness

• Free Throws on the 5th team foul for each quarter
• Free Throw Shooters – Know who they are and communicate with partners and the Scorer’s Table
• Fouls to Give – Understand the concept
• Time Outs remaining – Communicate as a crew
• Game Clock & Score – Sneak peek by all during and after dead ball situations
• Throw In Spots in Front Court / Back Court – Properly use the four frontcourt designated throw-in spots

Play Calling

• Know Your Primary – Officiate the defense and look for separation
• Trust Your Partners – Call The Obvious! Don’t guess on anything
• Ball Watching vs. Ball Awareness – Understand the concepts
• OH DAMN Plays!!!! Stay away from the following:
  • MARGINAL plays on IMPACT players
  • Marginal whistles in IMPORTANT parts of the game
  • MARGINAL whistles in a lopsided game
  • MARGINAL whistles outside of your PRIMARY (KILLERS & ATTENTION GETTERS)
  • MARGINAL Plays with HIGH IMPACT, will get you in TROUBLE. Have a more immediate whistle above the FT line extended (magnified in mid-court area) and a more patient whistle below the Free Throw line extended
  • Let plays START DEVELOP, & FINISH below the Free Throw Line extended area
  • Center & Trail pinch down on rebounding action looking for displacement
  • Stay away from Illegal Screens w/o Contact. A screen without contact cannot be illegal

On behalf of all of the Basketball Rules Intrepeters and Clinicians, we hope these insights will help you as we finish the basketball season STRONG!  Thanks for all you do to support the game of basketball in Illinois.

Gary Gustafson
IHSA Head Clinician and Rule Interpreter

---

There have been some instances that have come up during the season that remind us that anything can happen on any game.

We as officials must be aware of unsporting actions by players that are directed at the crowd.  In a recent game, a player made a three-point shot in front of the opposing student section and then turned to the student section and made an unsporting gesture toward the crowd.

In this situation, I will refer you to the Rule Book 10.4.6 b and c on Page 68:

“Commit an unsporting foul.  This includes, but is not limited to, acts or conduct such as:

1. Using profane or inappropriate language or obscene gestures.
2. Baiting or taunting an opponent. NOTE:  The NFHS disapproves of any form of taunting which is intended or designed to embarrass, ridicule or demean others under any circumstances including on the basis of race, religion, gender or national origin.”

A technical foul charged to the player for the unsporting act goes a long way toward controlling this situation.  In calling the “T”, the officials let everyone know this behavior will not be tolerated.

As we go down the stretch of the season, I want to also remind you of the 4 Keys to a Successful Game

1 – Know and own your Primary.  Stay in it.  Let plays come to you don’t go out looking for whistles. Look for off ball coverages and illegal screens.

2 – Officiate the Defense & Look for Separation.  Who created the contact on Block/Charge plays?  Who closed the separation between the Offensive & Defensive players?  Watch the Defenders back of the knees and look for the folding of them. It will help you with the point of contact. 2 bodies on the floor with the ball involved, we should have a whistle. Blocks or Flops??

3 – Trust Your Partners.  Again, stay in your primary and trust your partners. They do not need your help from far away. Trust them and let plays come to you.

4 – Call the Obvious.  Don’t pass on these. Everyone sees the play, but you must get the whistle in your primary.

Other points to remember.

Rotations – Rotate when dictated by play.  Let the ball location possibly initiate the start of a Rotation and the Lead Official dictate the Rotation. Never rotate in the middle of a shot attempt, dribble drive to the basket, or skip and swing passes. Rotate with your post players and try to go when they go. “STAY SLOW BEFORE YOU GO!!!

Verticality – Assume every contested shot is going to be a clean block, find the point of contact. Slow Whistles!!!

Your role on the court is crucial and maintaining your health is essential for peak performance.   Take time to relax and de-stress. Engage in activities that you enjoy.  This will help you maintain mental clarity and focus.  Eat well, get rest, stay healthy.

Thank you for all you do to support the game of basketball in Illinois.

Gary Gustafson,
IHSA Head Clinician and Rule Interpreter

---