Play Calling Techniques
And How To Improve Your Skill Set
By: Billy Smith, “Impact Basketball Referee Academy”
“Fundamentals that improve your play calling start with good floor mechanics, proficient rules knowledge, strong signals and great habits.”
Billy Smith
All Positions
- Offensive 3 seconds
- Follow the procedures for score/no score by knowing what you are responsible for within the crew.
- Referee the defense in all one-on-one situations when refereeing on-ball. Once the shooter leaves the floor, you should be in position to focus on elbow-to-wrist and making sure the defender does not step into the landing space of the shooter (up, down, pause, rebound).
- On all personal fouls called by your partners, hold your position momentarily, to observe any unsportsmanlike acts.
- Allow all plays to the basket to start, develop and finish.
- Stay with the offensive and defensive players when the ball is released on a try for goal.
- Make position adjustments to maintain open looks.
- Referee where your partners can not (blind spots on the floor).
Lead Responsibilities
- Transition from trail to lead as quickly as possible, positioning yourself on the baseline and allowing the play to come toward you. Head over shoulder in transition to pick up status of the ball, players, clocks and partners. (Know the 4 P’s in transition; Possession, Primary, Partners and Problems). Your starting position on the endline is determined by the position of the ball once it gets in front court.
- Strong side rebounding.
- Do not stand squared up to the endline.
- Keep post play clean and under control. Aggressive play is permitted, but not rough play.
- Referee from an outside-in position when appropriate and move no closer than half the distance to the sideline, except when you must go the entire distance towards the corner to officiate a player with the ball below the free throw line extended.
- Never stand under the basket. Stay at or outside the free throw lane line depending on the action being observed.
- You must referee off-ball when the ball is above the free throw line extended.
- Rotation will commence when the ball crosses the midcourt line on the center side (lane line opposite the lead), comes to a pause, and the trail enters the frontcourt.
- The pace of Leads rotation is dictated by the position of the ball.
- Look for a reason to rotate.
- Have a big picture mentality while viewing the oncoming offensive formation in the front court.
- Accept the ball and match-up when it is at or below the free throw line extended.
- During rotation, if there are no post players on the center side, the lead must referee the action area in the lane.
Game Management Training
Training presentation on game management for TBBO officials. Download the slides below. The file opens in PowerPoint, Keynote or Google Slides.
Training Photos
Free Online Rules Training: Game Rules IQ
Game Rules IQ is a free online platform that trains and certifies basketball officials on NFHS-based rules and game procedures. Officials learn at their own pace on any device and can work through four certification levels, each harder than the last. There is no cost to TBBO or to any official.
Additional Opportunities for Officials
Two officiating-related programs shared with FHSAA that TBBO members may be interested in. Participation is optional.
Fellowship of Christian Officials (FCO)
An organization providing opportunities for sports officials to connect, encourage one another, and grow through fellowship and shared faith. Visit their website.
Battlefields to Ballfields
A program that supports veterans and transitioning military members interested in becoming sports officials, connecting military experience with opportunities in officiating. Visit their website.