Officials and Their Duties

Question 1

A.R. 12. Team A is ahead by one point. The game-ending horn sounds with the ball loose at the division line. learly after playing time has expired, A1 taunts B1. The referee, before checking/approving the final score, sees this action by A1 and assesses a CLASS A technical foul against A1. Team A’s coach pushes the referee after the technical foul is called. The referee assesses a flagrant 2 technical to Team A’s coach, ejects the coach and awards Team B four free throws.

Answer 1

RULING: The referee is correct. The officials’ jurisdiction does not end until the approval of the final score. Until the officials’ jurisdiction ends, an official may call a technical foul, correct a correctable error (Rule 2-12), or correct a bookkeeping mistake by the official scorer.
(Rule 2-4.3)

Question 2

A.R. 13. The officials leave the playing area at the end of the game, and while they are in the locker room, it is discovered that there is a mistake in the score or that there was a request for a correctable error (Rule 2-12).

Answer 2

RULING: When the officials leave the visual confines of the playing court when the last period is over, the score has been approved and the game is over. (Rule 2-4.3)

Question 3

A.R. 14. When an official is required to hand/bounce the ball to the thrower-in, is it the duty of the official to wait until both teams are ready before doing so?

Answer 3

RULING: No. The resumption-of-play procedure is in effect for the entire game, except to start the second half or any extra period. After the official has given the direction signal and other necessary information, teams are expected to be ready for all normal play situations. When the official inadvertently indicates the wrong team for a throw-in and discovers the error before the throw-in ends, the official should withhold the ball from play to permit the players to re-deploy themselves. The officials should not permit unusual delays during a throw-in. (Rule 2-7.13 and 4-32)

Question 4

A.R. 15. B1 commits a fifth foul (any combination of personal and CLASS A technical fouls), which results in two free throws for A1. The official scorer and official timer fail to notify any of the game officials that B1 has been disqualified. When the scorers realize the mistake, they inform the official timer to sound the game-clock horn. The official timer sounds the device as the first of two free throws is made or missed. The referee asks the scorers’ table personnel to explain the problem. The referee is advised that B1 has committed five fouls, after which the referee advises the coach and player of Team B that B1 has five fouls. The coach
replaces B1.

Answer 4

RULING: Play shall be resumed with the second free throw by A1. There is no additional penalty assessed for the official scorer’s and timer’s mistake in failing to notify the officials of B1’s fifth foul. (Rule 2-9.4 and 3-6.2.b)

Question 5

A.R. 16. A player who has committed a fifth foul (any combination of personal fouls and CLASS A technical fouls) continues to play because the scorers have failed to notify the officials.

Answer 5

RULING: As soon as the scorers discover the irregularity, they should sound the game-clock horn as soon as the ball is in control of the offending team or is dead. The disqualified player shall be removed immediately. Any points that may have been scored while such a player was illegally in the game shall count. (Rule 2-9.4)

Question 6

A.R. 17. At halftime, the official scorer, who is a member of the home-team faculty, removes the scorebook from the scorers’ table:

1. Of his or her own volition; or
2. At the request of the home-team coach

Answer 6

RULING 1: When the scorebook is not taken to the home team’s locker room, there should be no penalty. When there is evidence that the official scorer removed the scorebook to take it to the home-team
locker room, an administrative technical foul shall be assessed. This administrative technical foul does not count toward the team foul count.
2: When the home-team coach instructs the official scorer to remove the scorebook, the head coach shall be assessed a CLASS B technical foul. (Rule 2-9.11, 10-2.4 and 10-4.2.e)

Question 7

A.R. 18. When may a scorer signal the officials by

sounding the horn?

Answer 7

RULING: When the scorer desires to call attention to a player who is illegally in the game, the scorer may signal the official when the ball is in control of that player’s team or when the ball becomes dead. When it
is for an illegal substitution, the scorer may signal when the next dead ball occurs or when the offending team has team control. When it is for conferring with an official, the scorer may signal when the ball is dead.
When the scorer signals while the ball is live, the official shall ignore the signal when a scoring play is in progress. Otherwise, the official may signal for the game clock to be stopped to determine the reason
for the signal.
(Rule 2-9.14)

Question 8

A.R. 19. The game-clock horn sounds while the ball is live.

Answer 8

RULING: Players should ignore the game-clock horn since it does not cause a dead ball. The officials shall use their judgment in blowing the ball dead to consult with the scorers and timers. When the players on both teams do not ignore the game-clock horn and stop playing, the officials shall stop play and award the ball to the team in control at a designated spot nearest to where the ball was when the stoppage occurred. (Rule 2-9.14)

Question 9

A.R. 20. The official scorer fails to record two points awarded to Team A by an official during the first half as a result of basket interference by B2.

Answer 9

RULING: The scorer’s mistake shall be rectified at any time until the referee approves the final score. (Rule 2-9.16)

Question 10

A.R. 21. After two minutes of the first extra period, it is discovered that during the second half of regulation play, the official scorer failed to record one point
as a result of a made free throw by Team A.

Answer 10

RULING: The score shall be recorded and play shall be continued at a designated spot from the point of interruption. (Rule 2-9.16)

Question 11

A.R. 22. In a game with no official courtside monitor, the red light or LED lights that signal the end of the last period cannot be seen nor can the gameclock horn be heard. The officials disagree whether the ball was in flight during a try for field goal or whether a foul occurred before time expired.

Answer 11

RULING: The final decision shall be made by the referee. The official timer shall indicate if the ball was in flight before the red light or LED lights signal was activated or before the game-clock horn sounded only when requested to do so by the referee. The referee shall use his best judgment, but when the evidence for counting or not counting the goal or foul is equal, the referee shall rule that the goal counts and that the foul shall be charged. In a game with an official courtside monitor and a game clock with a 10th-of-a-second display, the status of the try for goal and the committed foul shall be ascertained with the use of the courtside monitor using first, zeroes on the game clock, then the red or LED lights when the game clock is not visible, and the horn when neither is available. (Rule 2-10.15.c, 2-6.3, 11-1.2, 11-3 and 5-7.2)

Question 12

A.R. 23. A1 touches the ball that was thrown in by A2. The ball strikes the playing court and bounces until A3 gains control by dribbling. The shot-clock operator started the shot clock when A1 touched the ball.

Answer 12

RULING: The operator was correct. When play is resumed by a throwin, the game clock and shot clock shall be started when the ball is legally touched by or touches a player on the playing court. (Rule 2-11.5)

Question 13

A.R. 24. Player B1 deflects A1’s pass toward the sideline. Player B2 chases the ball and while airborne and before landing out of bounds, throws the ball
backward onto the playing court where it is recovered by Team A. The shot clock operator resets the shot clock. Is the shot clock operator correct?

Answer 13

RULING: Yes. The act of throwing the ball backward and onto the court demonstrates team control by Team B; therefore, the shot clock is reset. (Rule 2-11-6.a and 4-9.1)

Question 14

A.R. 25. With the alternating-possession arrow favoring Team A and 20 seconds remaining on the shot clock, A1’s try for goal lodges between the backboard and
the ring/flange.

Answer 14

RULING: Team A shall be awarded possession for a throw-in and the shot clock shall be reset. (Rule 2-11.6.d)

Question 15

A.R. 26. A1 releases the ball on a try for goal and then B1 partially blocks the shot and the ball:

1. Hits the ring or flange; or
2. Goes through the basket; or
3. Goes out of bounds.

Answer 15

RULING 1 and 2: The play is legal and the action shall continue. 3: The official shall blow the whistle to stop play and the shot-clock operator shall stop but not reset the shot clock. On the ensuing throw-in by Team A, the game clock and shot clock shall start when the throw-in touches any player on the playing court.
(Rule 2-11.7.a

Question 16

A.R. 27. Team A is in control of the ball when A1 and B1 commit a double personal foul, neither of which are flagrant fouls. While reporting the foul, the official assesses a technical foul against the coach of:

1. Team A; or
2. Team B.

Answer 16

RULING: Charge the fouls to A1 and B1, but no free throws are awarded. In (1) and (2), any player from the offended team shall attempt the two free throws for the technical foul. Play shall be resumed at the point of interruption, with the ball awarded to Team A, the team in control, at a designated spot using the procedures in Rule 7-3.2. 1: Since the technical foul was assessed to the coach of Team A, the team in control, the shot clock shall not be reset. 2: Since the technical foul was assessed to the coach of Team B, the shot clock shall be reset. (Rule 2-11.7.h, 2-11.6.b.2 and 10-1 Penalty f)

Question 17

A.R. 28. After the bonus is in effect, B1 is penalized for holding A1. A1 erroneously is not awarded a free throw. Team A is awarded the ball out of bounds and A1 completes the throw-in to A2. The coach of Team A notifies the official scorer that the coach wants to meet with the official concerning a correctable error. When Team A scores a field goal, the official scorer sounds
the game-clock horn and advises the official of the coach’s request for the conference. The official recognizes the correctable error after talking with the
coach and official scorer.

Answer 17

RULING: The field goal by Team A shall count. This error is correctable because it happened within the prescribed time limit of Rule 2-12. A1 shall be awarded his merited free throw(s) and play shall be resumed with a throw-in by Team B, which is entitled to run the end line. (Rule 2-12.1.a, 2-12.5, 2-12.2 and 2-10.13.a)

Question 18

A.R. 29. B1 pushes A1 during an unsuccessful try. A1 is awarded two free throws. The first free throw by A1 is successful, after which B2 takes the ball out of bounds under Team A’s basket and passes to B3, who passes to B4 for an uncontested field goal in Team B’s basket. The captain of Team A then calls to the attention of an official that A1 did not receive a second free throw.

Answer 18

RULING: The goal by B4 shall count. A1 shall be permitted to attempt the second free throw with no players lined up along the free-throw lane. The ball shall then be awarded to Team A out of bounds at the end line nearer Team B’s basket and the thrower-in shall be permitted to run the end line. This was the point where the game was stopped to correct the error.
(Rule 2-12-1.a and 2-12.2)

Question 19

A.R. 30. A1 commits a non-shooting personal foul on B1. The calling official reports to the scorer that A2 committed the foul. Team B inbounds the ball and the official realizes that he has reported an incorrect number of the fouling player to the scorer. May the official correct the mistake with the scorer?

Answer 19

RULING: Even though this mistake is not included in the correctable error rule (2-12.1) or is not a bookkeeping mistake by the scorer (2-9.16), the officials may make the correction during the first dead ball after the game clock has been properly started (2-12.2). Officials may also use the monitor to determine the correct player to be charged within the same time frame (11-2.1.d.2.a).
This type of mistake should rarely, if ever, occur. If there is uncertainty as to the player to be charged, officials have the authority to use instant replay to make the proper determination of the player to be charged
with a foul. (Rule 2-12.1, 2-12.2 and 11-2.1.d.2.a)

Question 20

A.R. 31. Before the bonus rule is in effect, B1 fouls A1. The official erroneously awards A1 a one-and-one attempt. 1. A1 makes the first free-throw try, and the error is then discovered; or 2. A1 is successful in both free throws and then the official detects the error;
or 3. A1 misses the front end of the one-and-one and the game clock starts, at which time the official detects the error; or 4. A1 is successful in the first bonus attempt but misses the second free throw and, as a result, the game clock starts and B1 scores a field goal.
In each of the four situations, the error shall be called to the attention of the official before or during the first dead ball after the game clock has been properly started.

Answer 20

RULING: Each of the four situations is a correctable error. 1, 2 and 3: Team A shall be awarded the ball at a designated spot nearest to where the foul occurred. The free throw(s) and activity during it, other than any technical foul or a flagrant 1 or 2 personal foul, shall
be canceled. Any points scored, time consumed and additional activity that may occur before the recognition of the error, shall not be nullified. 4: Team A shall be awarded the ball out of bounds at Team B’s end line, which was the point of interruption to correct the error. The free throw(s) and activity during it, other than any technical foul or a flagrant 1 or 2 personal foul, shall be canceled. Any points scored, time consumed and additional activity that may occur before the recognition of the error, shall not be nullified.
(Rule 2-12-1.b, 2-12.5 and 2-12.2)

Question 21

A.R. 32. B1 fouls A1 and it is Team B’s ninth foul of the second half. The official erroneously awards A1 two free throws instead of a one-and-one. A1: 1. Makes two free throws; or 2. Misses the first free throw and makes the second free throw; or 3. Misses both free throws. Within the correctable-error time limitations, the officials are notified of their error.

Answer 21

RULING 1: A1 was entitled to the second free throw because the first free throw was successful. Both free throws shall count, and play shall be resumed at the point of interruption, which is where play was
stopped to correct the error. 2: A1’s first free throw, to which he was entitled as the first part of a one-and-one, was unsuccessful and the player should not have been awarded a second free throw. The successful second free throw shall be nullified, and play shall be resumed at the point of interruption, which is where play was stopped to correct the error. 3: A1’s unmerited second free throw was unsuccessful, so it shall be ignored, and play shall be resumed at the point of interruption,which is where play was stopped to correct the error.
(Rule 2-12.1.b, 2-12.5 and 2-12.2)

Question 22

A.R. 33. A1 is fouled by B1 during a successful try for goal. A2 erroneously is awarded the free throw. While A2’s successful attempt is in the air: 1. B3 fouls A3; or
2. B3 commits a flagrant 1 personal foul against A3.
After the successful free throw by A2 and before the ball becomes live on the throw-in, the coach of Team B properly asks the referee to correct the error of awarding the free throw to the wrong player.

Answer 22

RULING: The free throw by A2 shall be canceled, and A1 shall properly attempt the free throw. The common foul by B3 in (1) shall be canceled. The flagrant 1 personal foul in (2) cannot be canceled. The error shall
be corrected when A1 is given the free throw to which A1 was entitled as a result of the original foul. In (2), the game shall continue with the administration of the two free throws to A3 resulting from the flagrant 1 personal foul by B3. Team A shall be awarded the ball at the designated spot nearest to where the foul by B3 occurred using the procedures in Rule 7-3.2.
(Rule 2-12-1.c, 2-12.5 and 7-3.2)

Question 23

A.R. 34. (1) A1 or (2) B1 is called for basket interference at Team A’s basket. In (1), the referee erroneously counts the score or, in (2), erroneously fails to count
the score. In each case, the error is discovered during the first dead ball after the game clock has started.

Answer 23

RULING: In (1) and (2), the official made a judgment that basket interference occurred. However, after the judgment was made, the official erred, in (1) by erroneously counting the score and in (2) by failing to count the goal. The official’s error in (1) and (2) shall be correctable because the error was recognized within the proper time limit. (Rule 2-12.1.e and 2-12.3)

Question 24

A.R. 35. Team A has the ball and is working for a shot. The shot-clock horn sounds and then A1 shoots and scores an apparent field goal. The shot-clock
horn is not heard by the officials on the playing court. Play continues with Team B inbounding the ball. With 20 seconds remaining on the shot clock, the official calls traveling on B1. At that time, the official timer calls the referee to the scorers’ table to explain that the shot clock had sounded before A1 released the ball for the try.

Answer 24

RULING: Officials are permitted to use information from table officials to make corrections. Since it is within the correctable-error time frame, the error can be corrected. When it is determined, in the official’s judgment, that the try was released after the shot-clock horn sounded, the goal shall be canceled. Since the clock was running in this case, the official has until the second live ball after the error to make the correction. The error shall be correctable until the ball is put in play after the traveling call. (Rule 2-12.1.e, 2-12.3 and 2-7.6)

Question 25

A.R. 36. B1 fouls A1 after the bonus is in effect. A1 is not awarded the bonus free throws. Team A is awarded the throw-in. Team A controls the ball inbounds, and A3 eventually asks for and receives a timeout. During the
timeout, an official recognizes the correctable error or it is called to his attention that A1 should have been awarded a one-and-one free throw.

Answer 25

RULING: A1 shall be awarded the one-and-one and play shall be resumed as after any normal free throw. Points scored, time consumed and additional activity that may occur before the recognition of the error shall not be nullified. (Rule 2-12.5 and 2.12.1.a)