1. MEMPHIS SHELBY COUNTY BASKETBALL OFFICIALS ASSOICATION

2. BASKETBALL OFFICIAL’S MECHANICS
PURPOSE OF THIS MANUAL
Every organization has a purpose. One purpose of the MTBOA is to provide the very best officiating service possible for all the students who participate in the sport of basketball. This manual is an aid in the attempt to develop and provide officiating that is both consistent and uniform in its application. It has and will continue to be our goal to stress the accuracy of the application of the rules while displaying proper mechanics and procedures.
The philosophy of the rules of basketball is to allow two teams to play so that neither team has an unfair advantage. The role of officials is to
enforce these rules. Mechanics are the necessary tool that places officials in the proper position to enforce those rules.
This manual is written with these three purposes in mind. The philosophy that should be followed is that the rules book and manual are the
constant to which everyone has access. The official should enforce the rules as written and follow the manual as written.
FOR A CREW OF TWO

3. Pre-Game Positions TABLE R V H R U U U R Home Team Visiting Team
VISITORS
HOME R U
V H R
Home
Team
Visiting
Team
 R counts the Visiting players and the U counts the Home players. U
U R

4. Jump Ball (goes front court)
TABLE
VISITORS
HOME U U U R R
U takes a position on the table side of the court at the center line and is responsible for signaling the clock to start when the ball is legally tapped and calling back a poor toss.
Referee notifies both captains that play is about to begin
The referee will face the table , sound a whistle, and make the toss.
The referee should hold his or her position until action around the jump has cleared and then move to the correct position as trail.
If the ball moves in the direction to the right of the tossing official l(referee), U will move his/her right and become the lead official, and the referee will become the trail official opposite the table side. R

5. Jump Ball (goes front court)
TABLE
VISITORS
HOME U U U R R R

6. Jump Ball (goes back court then front court)
TABLE
VISITORS
HOME U U U U R R
If the ball moves into the backcourt the U will move into the back court and become the Trail official and the R will move into the front court and become the Lead official. R R

7. Team Bench Location
TABLE
VISITOR
HOME

8. 6’ Coaching Boxes
TABLE
VISITOR
HOME
Box
Box

9. Team Time Out Locations
TABLE
VISITOR
HOME
Box
Box

10. Full Time-out Positions
TABLE
VISITORS
HOME
Throw-in table side
Throw-in
When a player or head coach legally request a time out, the calling official shall verify the type of time out with the requesting team’s head coach who shall immediately indicate which type of time out they prefer. If no indication is given, the official will charge a full time out if one is available.
The calling official shall then verbally and visually communicate the type of time out to the opponent’s head coach and then report the time out to the scorer at the table.
The official who shall administer the throw in after the time out shall take the ball to the spot of the throw in, face the table and indicate the direction the ball will go by placing the ball either in front or behind his of her body, or either side if the throw in is on a side line.
(Exception: If the ball is to in bounded on the sideline where the benches are located, the administering official will move onto the court in line the other official.)
If a free throw is to follow after the time out, the lead official will hold the ball on the free throw line.
On a full time out, the calling officials will be on the center line on the far side of the center circle. On a thirty second time out the calling official will be on the center line on the near side of the center circle.
Free throw

11. 30 Second Time-out Positions
TABLE
VISITORS
HOME
On a 30 second time out the free official will be on the center line on the near side of the center circle.

12. Intermission Positions
TABLE
VISITORS
HOME U U U
Between quarters and before the second half the R will be on the far sideline at the center line holding the ball on the side of the team who will have the ball to start the quarter. The U will be on the center line on the far side of the center circle. U will then move to the front court end line before the thrown in begins the quarter. R

13. Basic Principles Close Down Keep the Boxing in Principle
Off Ball Coverage
Referee The Defense
Move to Improve, Avoid Straight Line
Switch on Every Non Shooting Foul
Calling Official will go Table Side on Shooting Foul

14. Straight Lined
Proper position is critical when officiating a game. You must referee the defense and avoid getting straight lined.

15. Good Position
The diagrams illustrate the best position to officiate from. Find a position that allows you to see both the offense and the defense as if you were looking through a window.

16. Primary Coverage Ball and Off Ball Shots Rebounds
TABLE
VISITORS
HOME
Ball and Off Ball
Shots
Rebounds
Basket Interference and Goal Tending
Last Shot T L

17. Closely Guarded & 3 Point Coverage
TABLE
VISITORS
HOME
3 point attempt
Trail official signals a successful 3 point attempt; Lead official shall not mirror the signal
Lead official signals a successful 3 point attempt; Trail official shall mirror the signal T L

18. Transition Trail becomes the new lead. Lead becomes the new trail.
Keep congested areas covered. The Trail had the ten second count in the back court.
Lead should take a position as deep as the deepest player. This may require a quick transition but never turn you back on the play.

19. Press Coverage Trail becomes the new lead. Lead becomes the new trail.
Keep congested areas covered with a wide triangle. The trail has the 10 second count in the back court. Both the Trail and the Lead need to remain with playing action. Keeping all players between them.
Lead should take a position as deep as the deepest player. This may require a quick transition but never turn you back on the play.

20. Line Coverage TABLE In the front court:
The lead is responsible for the end line and sideline.
The trail is responsible for his/her side line and the back court line.
In transition:
The new lead is responsible for the end line and side line coverage .
The new trail is responsible for his/her side line and the end line that he /she left. Then has the center line after crossing into the front court.

21. Inbound Spot
TABLE
Any violation in the shaded area will be inbounded on the end line.
All others will be inbounded on the nearest side line.

22. Side Line Throw-in by Trail
After the throw in spot has been designated, and the thrower cautioned not to leave the throw in spot, the Trail official should hand the ball to the thrower and move to observe the action.

23. Side Line Throw-in by Lead below foul line extended
After the throw in spot has been designated, and the thrower cautioned not to leave the throw in spot, the Lead official should bounce the ball to the thrower and move to observe the action.

24. Side Line Throw-in by Lead above the foul line extended
After the throw in spot has been designated, and the thrower cautioned not to leave the throw in spot, the new Trail which was the old Lead official should hand the ball to the thrower and move to observe the action. When the Lead move up their sideline for a throw in above the foul line extended, this will cause a switch to take place. The

25. End Line Throw-in from Lead
The Lead official will always hand the ball to the thrower-in from a position outside the player who is throwing in the ball.
The Lead official on an end line throw-in that is in possession of the team whose basket is in the front court.

26. End Line Throw-in from Trail
For throw-ins on end line in backcourt, the trail official’s position will be between the thrower-in and the nearer sideline.   After the throw in spot has been designated, and the thrower cautioned not to leave the throw in spot, the Trail official should hand the ball to the thrower and move to observe the action. The trail may bounce the ball to the thrower to obtain a better position to officiate the play.

27. Held Ball Calling Procedure
TABLE
1. The calling official should close down rapidly in order to prevent rough play.
2. The non-calling officials remain at a distance in order to observe the other players.
3. After letting the play settle, the official facing the table should look for the direction of the possession arrow.

28. Free Throw Coverage TABLE Trail:
Trail is responsible for all players in the lane positions opposite his/her side and the free throw shooter.
Lead:
Lead shall assume a position on the same side of the court as the table. The Lead official shall administer all free throws. The procedure for the administering of a Technical foul F.T. shall be the same procedure used for any other F.T. attempt. Lead is responsible for all players in the lane positions opposite his/her side.

29. Free Throw Administration
A. TRAIL (For 2 officials)
1.          You shall assume a position on the side of the table.
2.          The Trail is not required to step into the lane before free throws are attempted. The Lead official will administer all free throws, and the Trail shall visually communicate the number of free throws to the Lead, while assuming the proper position for free throw responsibilities.
3.          You shall take a position at a 45-degree angle toward the opposite F.T. lane line and the lead official within a maximum distance of 5 feet from the 3 pt. arc.
4.          Do not assume a position too deep behind the F.T. shooter (who is your 1st responsibility) or too wide toward the sideline that would prevent you from observing all 4 marked lane spaces on the opposite F.T. lane line.
5.          After assuming your correct position, you shall give the 10-second F.T. wrist flicking count with the hand opposite the table.
6.          You will give the 10 second count with the hand which will be opposite the table, and you will signal the clock to start for an unsuccessful F.T. attempt with your left hand which is closest to the table.
7.          After the F.T. ends on the last attempt, you will move down toward the basket to help with rebounding action.
LEAD OFFICIAL
1.          1. You shall assume a position on the opposite side of the court as the table.
2.          The Lead official shall administer all free throws.
3.          The procedure for the administering of a Technical foul F.T. shall be the same procedure used for any other F.T. attempt.
4.          You shall retain possession of the ball until the Center (or Trail) has moved to his/her position.
5.          You shall then carefully bounce the ball to the shooter and assume a position well of the end line and wide enough to be able to observe all 4 marked spaces on the opposite F.T. lane line from you.
6.          How wide you may go laterally toward the sideline will be determined by the number of players who are in marked lane spaces on the F.T. lane line nearest you.
7.          You shall observe all 4 marked spaces on the F.T. lane line opposite you.
During free-throw situations, substitutions only will be allowed before the second of a two-shot free-throw attempt, before the third of a three-shot free-throw attempt or after the final attempt has been converted successfully.

30. Foul Mechanics at the Spot
TABLE
Whistle with a sharp blast.
Raise arm straight up with closed fist.
Give the bird-dog signal and move toward the fouling player.
Inform fouling player by saying color and number.
Say and give type of foul.
6. If a team-control foul, signal in the direction of the non-fouling team’s basket.
7. Signal the throw in spot if non- shooting.
8. If shooting, verbally give free-throw shooter’s number.
Visually give the number of free throws.
10. If a try attempt is not to be awarded, wipe it off.

31. Foul Mechanics for Reporting
TABLE
Proceed quickly to the Reporting Area. Do not go through players.
2. Count the basket if the attempted went in or wipe it off.
3. Slowly state the color and number of player who fouled while visually indicating the number of the player who fouled on one hand.
4. Vocally state and visually signal the type of foul.
5. If player-control or team-control foul, use the appropriate player or team-control foul signal.
6. If free throws are to be attempted, indicate the number.
7. Complete all communication with the table before admitting a substitute or acknowledging a request for a time-out.

32. Foul Reporting TABLE Reporting Area
Come to a complete stop and wait for the scorer’s attention.
If a basket was allowed or disallowed the give that signal first.
Verbally and visually communicate by slowly and loudly stating the color and number of the fouling player and with one hand indicate the number of the player.
If shots are to follow then indicate the number of shots out to the side.
Complete any communication to the table before allowing any substitution or granting a time out.
If a disqualification is the result of the foul, the new trail official will inform the coach and the calling official will inform the player.
Hustle back to your position
The free official should ignore the ball while the foul is being reported.
If the ball goes in the basket and the calling official has not counted or disallowed the basket, get to the calling official quickly and say “the ball went in”.
TABLE

33. Violation Mechanics TABLE Give a sharp blast on you whistle.
Fully extend one arm above the with head with fingers extended.
Move toward the area of the violation, stop and signal the nature of the violation.
Do not turn you back to players.
Point in the direction of the throw-in team’s basket and call out its’ color. Do not cross your body with the signal. Use one arm for violation signal and direction signal. Learn to use both arms.
6. Indicate the throw-in sport.

34. Front Court Switches Foul Switching Procedure GENERAL PRINCIPLES:
1.          The official will switch on every non shooting foul.
The official who calls the foul on a shooting foul will remain table side as Trail. The official will then be the Trail on foul shots.
3. The non calling official on a shooting foul will become Lead and will administer the foul shot or shots.

35. A Switch occurs when the Lead has a throw in on their front court sideline above the free throw line extended.
TABLE

36. Trail makes the call
TABLE

37. Lead makes the call
TABLE

38. Trail makes the call
TABLE

39. Lead makes the call
TABLE

40. Lead makes the call
(Shots to follow)
TABLE

41. Trail makes the call
(Shots to follow)
TABLE

42. Trail makes the call
(Shots to follow)
TABLE

43. Lead makes the call
(Shots to follow)
TABLE

44. Full Court Switches

45. Lead makes the call
TABLE

46. Trail makes the call
TABLE

47. Trail makes the call
TABLE

48. Lead makes the call
TABLE

49. Trail makes the call
(Shots to follow)
TABLE

50. Lead makes the call
(Shots to follow)
TABLE

51. Trail makes the call
(Shots to follow)
TABLE

52. Lead makes the call
(Shots to follow)
TABLE

53. Slides provided by MTBOA