FIBA Three Person Officiating Mechanics 2010-11 –AUS/ACAA

Key Concepts in three person is teamwork, respect, patience, and communication.

1.  The calling official goes opposite the table after reporting- some of these switches will cause some long switches; for example, the Lead official  on the baseline opposite the table calls a charge- would report and go opposite and long to become the new Lead- the Lead on the play, who is opposite , will come back and replace the caller on the baseline for the throw in.. Simply offensive fouls away from the table will have the calling official go long after reporting the foul.  Table side offensive foul has the calling official becoming Center opposite the table.

2.  The Lead official during free throw activity is now opposite the table, and will stand on baseline(end line) on all free throws; the Trail official goes to the 28 foot mark on all free throws.

3.  The lead and trail officials look opposite on free throw activity. 

4.  Offensive end line throw- ins by the lead are administered inside out - "backside to the glass"; and handed to the thrower in.

5.  The lead's initial position is now the corner of the trapezoid to the other lane.  The lead rotates to the ball side early.  His/her movement is trapezoid to trapezoid, sometimes wider to be visible to partners or if the action requires it.  Especially if the post moves out.

6.  The lead's primary is the low post action, rebounding, and drives to the basket.  The lead reports double whistles in the low post coming towards him/her.  Remember to step back when the action is near to you and turn into your primary.

7.  Where possible, the lead should work a off the end line.

8.  Outside officials need to penetrate on drives but give double whistles to the lead.

9.  The trail handles all backcourt and sideline throw ins on his/her side.

10. AUS/ACAA pre game protocol will have a buzzer at 3 minutes and also greet coaches; buzzer at 90 sec for players to go to benches and commence pre game announcements. At half time , we will have buzzers at 90 sec. to clear the floor.  Between 1^st and 2^nd quarters and 3^rd and 4^th quarters, we will have buzzer at 30 seconds and :00.

11.  Time outs(New). Nearest official(to the table – even with the ball) calls time out and stands on center line at pre game position across floor, other officials stand with him/her on appropriate side. At the end of the time out, the calling official becomes the Center; the 2 officials without the ball get huddles.

12. No whistle to resume play after a time out.  There is only a whistle after the first horn.  Never put the ball on the floor give a warning.

13.  The Centre official’s  basic set up is two steps below the foul line.  Both the Trail and Centre take calls to the centre of the basket.  When the ball is in the middle of the floor(top of the key) the calling official will take the ball to the far free throw line extended.  (Have a signal for the takeover)

14  The Trail’s basic position is 28’ mark in front court; it is important for the Trail to work the arc.  Once the ball goes to the other side, it is Center’s coverage. In the back court, the Trail needs to come across floor is in a one on one situation.

15.  The Center and Trail official should step up the sideline when accepting the ball from the other's primary. Coverage ends when it clearly crosses the centre of the basket. 

16.  The Center is responsible for all calls in his/her side of the floor- the whole side of the floor is his/her primary. This includes calls on the break in transition- the C will have to run hard to get to the call on his side on the break( in this situation, the Lead must know where the C is before he/she  calls across the lane in transition)- the lead may call across the key to help on calls on the low post centre side.. particularly in post play without ball- BUT- should rotate to make the call.

17.  The Centre official should stay at the foul line after a basket.  Please referee the middle of the floor and not the ball handler. The Centre has primary on everything between the tops of the two circles (transition).  Rotations do not happen until the ball and all players are in the front court.  Move efficiently when in the Center position - do not walk!

18.  Trail and Center calls the high elbows and helps with calls when players turn towards the basket away from the lead. It is okay for the Trail and Center to work on the floor.(Look for angles)

19.  During all foul calls the calling official must  stop and visually and verbally notify partners before reporting the foul to the table. Tell the whole story at the point of the foul.

20. .  When reporting the foul to the table come to a full stop. Report the numbers as, for example, “fifteen”, instead of 1-5, and hustle to your next spot.

21.  Use the fist with extended arm signal for all offensive fouls on and away from the ball.  A secondary signal for blocks/illegal screens or holding is also recommended.  Please verbalize the call and sell it.

22.  On out of bounds, RAISE YOUR HAND TO STOP CLOCK, - then give the signal and verbal for the color and direction- always point to the throw in spot if situation calls for a throw in- try to signal direction with same hand with which you stop clock.

23.  On press coverage the lead goes  to the 28’ mark(or last line of defense) and works his/her way to the end line accordingly

24.  Eliminate signals or verbal phrases that are not in the manual.

25.  5^th foul -The calling official of the 5th foul hands the foul off to the partner coming to the table or at the table and goes opposite toward his/her next spot. The official coming from away shall inform the coach and go to the centre line in front of table; the 3^rd official will have the ball ready to start play at the appropriate spot- this is not a time out--officials go to proper spots after sub is in.(new)

26.On the 5^th foul, the 30 seconds commences when the administering official announces to coach “ 5 fouls; at 20 seconds the official asks for the sub.  No buzzer required.

27.  An official calling a technical foul or an unsportsmanlike foul will go to the Center line opposite the table ready to handle the throw in at mid court.

28.  The foul caller reports the foul and if a timeout is to be charged or substitution will take place, let the official (not the foul caller) coming to the table, or at the table administer it with a whistle

29.  All side line throw ins may be handed, tossed, or bounced to the thrower in, preferably bounced.

30.  Last shot responsibility is by the official opposite the table.

31.  Strong side shots - If we are rotating actively and properly, most shots will be strong side shots.

32.  Non-administering officials should check clocks and observe the action.

33.  The center and trail official both need to step towards basket on shots and free throws. This activity is crucial to the calling of the game and is now consistent with the movement in all three position at all times-“ we are now moving to get the best possible position to make the call”!

34.  If any official asks for HELP on a call, there is no whistle- just the direction- and let the calling official handle the rest.  When any official changes an out of bounds call made by another official, he/she does blow the whistle and makes the call.

35.  Pre Game positions for U1 and U2 are three meters on either side of center court - U1 is to the left of the referee and U2 is to the right of the referee.

36.  "Bird dogging" is a required FIBA mechanic.

37.  Primary official signals 3 point attempt, opposite official will mirror only a successful attempt.

38.  Visual counts are required for throw in counts, backcourt, closely guarded..

39.  Defensive interference calls are not handled unless confusion by players but offensive interference is handled at free throw line extended.

40.  Administer a 24 second shot clock miss on the end line.  If ball is in hand, the throw in is at the nearest spot out of bounds.

41.  Any warnings given are passed on to both the captain and coach, and other officials.

42.  A violation on a jump ball is administered in the front court.  Non jumpers may now catch the ball in the air from the frontcourt and land in the backcourt (new)

43.  Violation in top end of the free throw circle goes to the free throw line extended.  Free throw violations are administered on the sideline.

44.  During two free throws, your hands can be dropped prior to the shot.  No visual counts required.

45.  On team control fouls raise your hand first, and then give the direction of play.  The fist to the hand is only used to report the foul.

46.  It is expected that the lead official will be at the end line to accept the play.

47.  At the conclusion of the game, all officials should gather at the time out spots, observe and leave (there may be exceptions).

48.  Use a 24 second rest signal anytime the shot clock is to be reset - no matter if it is to 14 seconds or a full reset.

49.  NEW - Nearest official will start and complete all subs except on fouls.