winkler Minor basketball Officiating guide
First and foremost, when it comes to officiating young players, teaching is as important as whistling fouls and violations. Young players don't fully understand many of the rules so you should explain your calls to players -- within reason. But remember to keep the game moving and not hold a rules clinic every time there's a violation or foul.
Have latitude with your calls unless there is a question of safety. It's okay to warn a player to be careful about committing a violation or foul and make sure to explain the correct way to do something so you won't have to blow your whistle. If the problem persists, however, you must make the call. Discuss repeated problems with the coach during a break in the action and let the coach take it from there.
Feel free to offer a brief word of praise for a great play, but avoid anything that might denigrate other players. Be friendly and approachable, but maintain your authority. Players should feel comfortable asking you questions and you should feel open to answering them in a non-condescending and easy-to-understand way. If a player becomes a problem and mouths off to you, tell the player the behaviour is unacceptable and report the youngster to the coach if the problem persists.
Be sure to enforce the rules evenly and protect players and coaches from threats of harm from opponents or fans. Don't put up with excessive fouls, taunting or trash talking, which could lead to injury. Set the example from the opening tip off. If you avoid letting a game get out of hand from the outset, the chances are good that you will end up officiating a competitive, fun and rewarding game.
Never forget that officials are role models. You are the standard-bearer of honesty and integrity. An official must do what's right morally and ethically. If you think about justifying what you are about to do, you probably shouldn't do it. Watch your body language since how you carry yourself speaks volumes about you. If you're going to make a call, make sure you're swift and confident with your signals. Respect the players, coaches, parents and the game.
Have latitude with your calls unless there is a question of safety. It's okay to warn a player to be careful about committing a violation or foul and make sure to explain the correct way to do something so you won't have to blow your whistle. If the problem persists, however, you must make the call. Discuss repeated problems with the coach during a break in the action and let the coach take it from there.
Feel free to offer a brief word of praise for a great play, but avoid anything that might denigrate other players. Be friendly and approachable, but maintain your authority. Players should feel comfortable asking you questions and you should feel open to answering them in a non-condescending and easy-to-understand way. If a player becomes a problem and mouths off to you, tell the player the behaviour is unacceptable and report the youngster to the coach if the problem persists.
Be sure to enforce the rules evenly and protect players and coaches from threats of harm from opponents or fans. Don't put up with excessive fouls, taunting or trash talking, which could lead to injury. Set the example from the opening tip off. If you avoid letting a game get out of hand from the outset, the chances are good that you will end up officiating a competitive, fun and rewarding game.
Never forget that officials are role models. You are the standard-bearer of honesty and integrity. An official must do what's right morally and ethically. If you think about justifying what you are about to do, you probably shouldn't do it. Watch your body language since how you carry yourself speaks volumes about you. If you're going to make a call, make sure you're swift and confident with your signals. Respect the players, coaches, parents and the game.
What to Call
Travelling – At the grade 3&4 level, call travel here only if they walk (2 or more steps with the basketball). Minor foot shuffles and changing pivot foots are not a big deal at this age. At the 5&6 level, do not allow changes of pivot foot, or any steps. At the 7&8, call it tight, the same way it would be called in a regular game.
Carry Ball – At the 3&4 level, call it if a player makes significant progress while having their hand underneath the ball. At the 5&6/7&8 levels, call this tight. Any time their hand is on the bottom half of the ball and the dribble continues, it’s a violation.
Double Dribble – If they dribble with two hands, or resume their dribble after stopping, it needs to be called.
Jump Balls – Let them fight over a ball for about a two count, so that we can reward the aggressive player before calling it.
Fouls – If there is any kind of swatting motion that leads to contact, it needs to be called, no matter how minimal the contact, as this is a bad habit. If one player is hovering over another and is in their space, it becomes a foul on the defensive player as soon as any contact is made. If the offensive player does not “own their space” it is not necessarily a foul.
On a non-shooting foul, the team that was fouled will be awarded 1 point, and keep possession.
On a shooting foul, the team that was fouled will be awarded two points and the other team will gain possession.
Substitutions - At the grade 3&4 level, we will play 3 on 3, and have subs every 3 minutes with a 2 minute half time. At the other levels, subs will happen every five minutes. The team that has possession when the buzzer goes will get the ball when play resumes.
Carry Ball – At the 3&4 level, call it if a player makes significant progress while having their hand underneath the ball. At the 5&6/7&8 levels, call this tight. Any time their hand is on the bottom half of the ball and the dribble continues, it’s a violation.
Double Dribble – If they dribble with two hands, or resume their dribble after stopping, it needs to be called.
Jump Balls – Let them fight over a ball for about a two count, so that we can reward the aggressive player before calling it.
Fouls – If there is any kind of swatting motion that leads to contact, it needs to be called, no matter how minimal the contact, as this is a bad habit. If one player is hovering over another and is in their space, it becomes a foul on the defensive player as soon as any contact is made. If the offensive player does not “own their space” it is not necessarily a foul.
On a non-shooting foul, the team that was fouled will be awarded 1 point, and keep possession.
On a shooting foul, the team that was fouled will be awarded two points and the other team will gain possession.
Substitutions - At the grade 3&4 level, we will play 3 on 3, and have subs every 3 minutes with a 2 minute half time. At the other levels, subs will happen every five minutes. The team that has possession when the buzzer goes will get the ball when play resumes.
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