Let's Talk About the Pre-Game

(Image Source: NCAA.org)

Starting the Game Off Right

Basketball is arguably the most difficult game to officiate.  Contact is unavoidable when we put 10 players in an enclosed space.  Contact can occur all over the floor, both on the ball and away from the ball.  Combine that with the speed of the game and what we have is a recipe for disaster if the officials are not on the same page.

NFL football referees work in crews and they have the benefit of building teamwork and camaraderie through working numerous games together.  As basketball officials, we do not have that luxury as we are constantly working with different partners.  So how do we make sure that we are on the same page during the game and will call the game with the respect that it deserves?

Here enters the all important pre-game meeting. 

Officials should arrive at the game at least 10-15 minutes prior to the start of the game (or more if the level of game dictates it).  This leaves plenty of time to conduct a pre-game meeting between the officials.

Who's the Lead?

The "Referee" (as opposed to the "Umpire") is responsible for leading the pre-game meeting.  In games where there is no clear marked "Referee", both officials are equally responsible in leading and contributing to this meeting.

Topics to Cover

• Teamwork
• Partners should establish and maintain communication
• Make sure all officials are ready before inbouding the ball
• Communicate if fouls are shooting or spot fouls
• Responsibilities during timeouts
• Who is reporting the timeout?
• What is the remaining official's responsibility?
• Responsibilities during dead ball situations
• One official is responsible for inbounding the ball
• The other official is responsible for any substitutes
• End of quarters/halves/game
• Who is responsible for watching the clock
• Consistency
• Be consistent in enforcement of fouls and violations
• Get the obvious fouls and violations
• Safety
• We have to protect the players
• Get the obvious and make sure the game doesn't get out of hand
• If there's an advantage gained because of an illegal contact, let's get the foul
• Foul Absolutes (Should always be called a foul)
• Two hands on a player
• If the dribbler's rhythm, speed, balance, and quickness is affected
• If the dribbler falls down because of contact
• Coverage
• Let's make sure that we're both not ball watching
• Try not to call fouls/violations on plays that occur right in front of your partner
• 3 seconds
• If the ball is in the corner in the Lead's area of coverage, the Trail referee is responsible for the 3-second violation call
• If the ball is in the Trail's area of coverage, the Lead referee is responsible for the 3-second call

Conclusion

Do not underestimate the importance of the pre-game meeting.  No matter how many times the officials have worked together, a pre-game meeting should still be conducted before every game.

If anything, remember to talk about the importance of teamwork, consistency, safety, and coverage.

  

What do you talk about during your pre-game?  If you have any other pre-game notes that you would like to share, please feel free to leave a comment.