Issue 47, December 5, 2003
MACBOA Newsletter

In this Issue:

• Remarks from the Supervisor of Officials: Donnee L. Gray
• NCAA Men's Basketball Officiating Update
• NCAA Women's Basketball Rules Book Update
• Contributing Article: Officiating Preparation (Ike Relacion)
• Basketball Officials Association Items
• Purchase Officials Supply (POS)
• Order your MACBOA Logo Whistles
• Submitting Articles for MACBOA Consideration
• MACBOA Volunteers
• Newsletter Contact/Information

The MACBOA Newsletter is a periodic (twice a month during November through March and monthly July through October) publication of the Mid-Atlantic College Basketball Officials Association (MACBOA). MACBOA provides basketball officiating services to several colleges and universities in the Maryland - Washington, DC area. The Association has a membership of approximately 200 men and women officials. Our membership consist of men and women who work Divisions I, II, and III basketball.  We pride our Association on providing quality and professional service.

The usefulness and survival of this newsletter is going to depend on the participation of subscribers and professionals alike. Please help by submitting personal stories, experiences, and articles of general interest to the MACBOA community.

The MACBOA Newsletter is made possible by the kind support of our sponsors.  We thank our sponsors for making the newsletter and other programs possible. Please visit our web site at http://www.macboa.org.  As always, please visit our sponsors and thank them for keeping MACBOA operational.

Remarks from the Supervisor of Officials: Donnee L. Gray

To Officials: Please work smart in each assignment. Based on Observer reports, Crew Chief Reports, Head Coaches feedback and other sources, there has been slippage in allowing too much physical play/displacement, hand-checking and enforcement of the POEs and rule changes. All officials especially Crew Chiefs must work smart to keep game crews focused, consistent, and give good leadership to our younger officials. Take each assignment and WORK the game from the opening tap to the final buzzer. There will be no warning and a zero tolerance policy must be enforced consistently concerning technical fouls for verbal, non-verbal taunting, baiting, and trash talking by players.

It is early in the season and staff must increase game intensity and game awareness.

For Men and Women’s games: Crew Chiefs must review MATCH-UP coverage with crews. The Crew Chief will instruct the timer that there is to be a horn for every substitution at the table. A player must be at the “X” in order to be beckoned into the game. They should not sound the horn as a player is on his/her way to the table. Review with the Timer that after a warning horn for a time-out, there should be a final horn prior to resumption of play.

Any atypical situations must include the consensus of at least two of the officials. Officials must be aware of the differences in calling flagrant versus fighting fouls.

Regarding a recent Men’s Bulletin, “BR-121, Rule 9-11, Ball in Back Court: A player who is first to secure control of the ball in the front court after a jump ball or a throw-in when both feet are off the playing court shall not be permitted to cause the ball to go in the back court." As a point of clarification as described in Rule 9-II.5&.6, a violation has not occurred. However, a player who is first to secure control of the ball in the front court after a jump ball or a throw-in when both feet are off the playing court shall not be permitted to cause the ball to go into the backcourt. When this player throws a pass to a teammate in the backcourt, a violation has occurred. (See Rule 9-II.I)

In Women’s games, “Displacement” is a POE. Crew Chiefs must review this topic thoroughly with their crews. Also, starting of clocks has not been consistent. Crew Chiefs are reminded to go over with the Timer that the Trail official signals when the clock should start.

*As we begin the 2003-04 season, I would like to mention that my goal is to place the best in each and every MACBOA assignment. As mentioned in the pre-season clinic, we plan to reduce the staff by 30% next year. MACBOA strives to place the best on staff and encourages each official to take care of the game, take care of administrative matters, and be good partners.

To Head Coaches: Coaches must understand that MACBOA is committed to enforce the guidelines established during the preseason clinic for the entire season. Necessary adjustments by coaches and players must be made. Style of play will not dictate how officials officiate. If you feel that the officiating was below average, then please call me with your concerns and send me the videotape with documentation so I can review the information.

Observers: Tommie Scott has begun to assign games to Observers. Please feel free to contact Tommie regarding your availability dates. As an Observer, we are requesting that you arrive at least 60-minutes prior to game time to assure that the crew has arrived and if they have not, to enforce the Emergency Contact Procedures (http://www.macboa.org/policies/emergency.html). I have your MACBOA sweater vests and will get those to you as soon as possible.

Other Items:

1) MACBOA staff are reminded to check your e-mail account on a daily basis. Game assignments are sent via e-mail from support@thearbiter.net and are posted for 48-hours only. If you do not respond within that time frame, the game will be reassigned.

(2) Please DO NOT FAX crew chief or observer reports to the office unless you are requested to do so. Both crew chief and observer reports can be completed online and submitted via e-mail. Or, you can download the necessary form and mail it to me.

(3) When you call on Sunday evenings to advise of your availability, please call the office telephone number (301-283-6807). If you receive voicemail, simply leave a message regarding your availability for the week. You can also call Willie Jones at 202-543-7049.

(4) Some of you are still sending e-mails to the wrong address. The office e-mail address is: dgray@macboa.org. Please be sure you have this in your e-mail address book.

(5) MACBOA Staff may now print out the complete staff roster including names, addresses, all phone numbers. We recommend that you periodically print out the complete roster and have it available as part of your travel documents. It is important to keep your personal information and closed dates updated in The Arbiter system.

(6) You may also print out the MACBOA College Directory and Travel Directions, click here.

(7) Reminder: It is mandatory for the Crew Chief to contact his/her crew at least 48-hours in advance of the game. Officials must consistently plan travel time in accordance with mileage, weather and traffic. None of these are considered valid excuses for missing or being late to an assignment.

Check the weather and plan your trips accordingly. Allow plenty of time and take along the phone numbers of the campus police (see above link for College Directory information). Please make sure your phone numbers are correct with the MACBOA office and if your crew is not traveling together, keep close contact with each other by cell phone.

(8) We have uploaded staff photos on the MACBOA website, click here. Any other photos recently received will be uploaded soon. If you have not sent your passport-sized photo with you name clearly printed on the back, please send it to Ike Relacion, 21112 Archstone Way, Unit 101, Germantown, MD 20876.

NCAA Men's Basketball Officiating Update - November 20, 2003

BR-108, A.R. 15:8
Change RULING (b) to read: In (b), ignore the inadvertent whistle and resume play by awarding the ball to Team B at the spot nearest to where the shot-clock violation occurred. The violation takes precedence over the inadvertent whistle.

BR-121, Rule 9-11, Ball in Back Court:
A player who is first to secure control of the ball in the front court after a jump ball or a throw-in when both feet are off the playing court shall not be permitted to cause the ball to go in the back court.

BR-72, Rule 4-33, Guarding:
B1 slips to the floor in the free-throw lane. A1 (with his or her back to prone B1) receives a pass, turns and, in his or her attempt to drive to the basket, trips and falls over B1. RULING: Foul on B1, who has taken an illegal defensive position (NCAA memorandum January 23, 1996, page 3).

NCAA Women's Basketball Rules Book Update - November 14, 2003

Rules Book Corrections (Barbara Jacobs)

Correction to interpretation posted on 10/10/03: "In a media game, Team A has the ball, the official notices blood on A2 or A2 is injured and the trainer/coach is requested on the court, the official has stopped the game with the whistle. On this dead ball it is time for a media timeout. The official shall go to media right away and then inform the coach of Team A that if Team A wants to keep A2 in the game, the team will be charged with a timeout (30-second or 60-second). If the coach does not want the timeout charged, A2 shall not be allowed back into the game after the media timeout."

Experimental Rules: Players are to line up on the trapezoid lane for free-throws according to our rules as far as who can occupy which lanes, but the first lane space is the space below the block closest to the basket - not above the block.

Page No. 46: Rule 2-12.14, the time limit to correct a timer's mistake will be more readily understood if you think of it in the following way: Once the ball comes into play after the mistake has been made is when you start to look for the first dead ball or the 2nd live ball.
Example: With 57 seconds left on the game clock, Team A scores a basket and the timer does not stop the game clock. The official can correct the mistake here if it is caught. Team B inbounds the ball and scores a basket at the other end of the floor, this is the first dead ball. The official can correct the mistake here if it is caught. Team A inbounds the ball (which becomes the first live ball) and A2 travels, the mistake may be corrected up to the ball becoming live on the throw-in awarded to Team B (which is the second live ball). Even though the clock stops on the basket by Team B, the second live ball will be the ensuing throw-in by Team B. This will make it consistent with the similar scenario of the timer stopping the clock after a made basket during the game other than the last 59.9 seconds.
Page No. 63: Rule 4-15.1, correct as follows: A designated spot is the location at which a thrower-in is presented disposal of the ball out of bounds and from which he or she cannot move until releasing the ball. This is the definition of the designated spot only. You will put the ball in play for a violation at the designated spot nearest to where the violation occurred, for a common foul nearest to where the foul occurred and for a held ball nearest to where the held ball occurred, etc.
Page No. 94: Rule 5-10.5.e, Interpretation: A conference has a signed media agreement to have two timeouts per half to occur at the first dead ball after the 14:00 and 7:00 minute marks. Team A calls a full timeout at the 16:04 minute mark. This timeout will become the 14:00 minute media timeout and no media timeout will be taken after the 14:00 minute mark. Team B calls a full timeout at the 14:14 minute mark. This timeout shall not become the 7:00 minute media timeout because it is not after the 14:00 minute mark. The next media timeout will occur after the 7:00 minute mark or when a team calls a full timeout after the 14:00 minute mark.
Page No. 100: Rule 6-3.2, correct as follows: "The direction of the alternating-possession arrow shall be reversed immediately after an alternating-possession throw-in touches or is legally touched by a player in bounds or when the throw-in team commits a throw-in violation. The throw-in shall end when the passed ball is controlled by an inbounds player."
Example: Team B has an alternating-possession throw-in because of a held ball. B1 throws the ball in and it is tipped by A1. On this tip by A1 the alternating-possession arrow shall be changed. The ball is loose on the floor when B1 fouls A1 and Team A is in the bonus. The throw-in is not over and Team B still has team control, this is a team control foul by Team A and no free throws will be shot.
Page No. 106: Rule 7-5.9, there can be no point of interruption on this indirect technical foul because the penalty also includes the loss of the ball. New Interpretation: Team A scores a basket and immediately requests a timeout. The official grants the timeout. Team A does not have any timeouts left. RULING: The official shall charge Team A with an indirect technical foul. Team B shall shoot two free-throws. Team B shall be awarded a throw-in with the ability to put the ball in play anywhere along the end line where the ball was when Team A called the timeout.
Page No. 108: Rule 7-5.18, correct the ruling of (b) as follows: the opponent of the shooting team shall make the throw-in from a designated spot nearest to where the violation (not foul) occurred.
Page No. 108: Rule 7-5.19, A.R. 15, correct RULING (b) as follows: ignore the inadvertent whistle and put the ball back in play to Team B at the spot nearest to where the 30-second shot clock violation occurred. The violation takes precedence over the inadvertent whistle.
Page No. 122: Rule 9-12.1 A.R. 22, correct the ruling as follows: "The official shall sound the whistle immediately; however, the ball shall not become dead until it is apparent whether the try is successful. When the try is successful, the basket shall count and the violation shall be ignored. When the try is unsuccessful, Team A shall be awarded the ball at a designated spot nearest to where the violation occurred. If a teammate of A1 committed the same violation, the ball shall become dead immediately and if the try is successful, the basket shall not count. Team B shall be awarded the ball at a designated spot nearest to where the violation occurred.
Page No. 131: Rule 10-8.2, direct technical fouls are described in Section 7, not 5.
Page No. 142: Rule 10-24 -summary - administrations of double fouls; because there is no point of interruption on double personal fouls the resumption of play includes no reset of the shot clock. For all other double technical fouls the resumption of play is the point of interruption. Go to Page No. 78 and you will see the definition of point of interruption. It says you will award a throw-in nearest to where the ball was after any technical foul(s) to the team that was in control with no reset of the shot clock. All double fouls are handled the same way.

Contributing Article: Officiating Preparation (Ike Relacion)

As we begin another officiating season, sports officials must prepare mentally and physically for the upcoming rigors associated with our avocation. It is hoped the following are reminders to seasoned officials as well as information for new officials.

Officials must remember that each and every game is a “Big Game” and must be approached as such. Complete concentration is a necessity to achieve a high level of officiating effectiveness and efficiency. Officials must also have a high level of respect and professionalism between colleagues, players, coaches, staff members and team personnel to ensure that each game is conducted in a professional manner. The degree of professionalism begins upon arrival at the game site, continues throughout the assignment and must be maintained when departing the facility.

Preparation
Officials must personally prepare for each game. Be mentally and physically prepared to accept the challenge of officiating at the highest level of effectiveness and competency. Officials are expected to be able to physically keep up with the game. Mentally, officials should never allow prior situations or incidents to affect our attitude going into an assignment. There is no problem in discussing a history of problems or concern with a player, coach or fellow officials with the Supervisor/Coordinator of Officials. When players or coaches conduct themselves in an unacceptable manner they should be penalized accordingly. Officials are not allowed to attain a level of uncontrolled emotion, regardless of how players, coaches and spectators behave. Make it a decision (not an emotion) when calling a technical foul.

Assignments
After receiving an assignment, the Crew Chief/Referee is required to contact his/her crew
48-hours in advance of the game. Once you are contacted, officials should return the call to confirm or not confirm the assignment and to verify contact has been made. If it is permissible to use e-mail, ask your partner(s) to “Reply” to the message as confirmation. Officials must consistently plan travel time in accordance with mileage, weather and traffic. None of these are considered valid excuses for missing or being late to an assignment. With the large number of highway and roadway construction in our area, it is prudent to add extra drive time to your itinerary. Officials must be at the game site and have notified game management of their arrival at least 1.5 hours prior to tip-off. The Crew Chief is also responsible for leading a mandatory pre-game, half time and post-game discussion. Prepare your mind and body to be the best you can before your upcoming assignment.

Rules of Play
Officials are the “administrators” of the rules of basketball. It is crucial that every official maintain a thorough knowledge and understanding of the rules of play and the yearly mandates expressed in the “Points of Emphasis.” Rules must be interpreted and applied accurately and consistently. Talent level and maturity creates an up-tempo style of play. Officials cannot permit unacceptable physical level of play to occur. Coaches and players are usually able to adapt to the way the game is being called by officials. The key is being consistent in the way officials call the game. Fouls usually call themselves. Work extra hard to call violations.

Mechanics
Officials need to pay special attention to mechanics and signals in our presentation not only to colleagues, but also to the scorer’s table. An understanding of mechanics is necessary at this point.

On-the-ball: The position of the ball dictates whether an official referee’s on, or off, the ball. Officials are paid to referee offensive and defensive MATCH-UPS in their primary coverage area. When the ball comes into an official’s “primary” area, the official must find and referee the defense on the ball. During this play scenario, the official should reduce his/her field of vision by focusing on action (MATCH-UP) immediately surrounding the basketball.

Off-the-ball: Again, position of the ball dictates whether the official referees on, or off-ball. Without looking directly at the ball, officials must locate the position of the ball and his/her partners at all times. Rotations occur and are usually initiated by movement of Lead official. As officials rotate, each official should referee their new area of responsibility/coverage immediately. If the ball is not in your primary coverage area, officials must find and referee the activity of players and match-ups AWAY from the ball. Referee where your partners cannot.

Each game you accept requires 100% concentration. To the players, coaches and spectators, that game you are officiating is the biggest game and officials must referee that game like it is the conference championship game. Remember your actions are a direct reflection upon those who have entrusted you with this tremendous responsibility and honor. Hopefully, with the above points in mind, the end result will be a collective officiating crew effort that will rise above the level of the game assigned.

Have a great season and referee strong!

Basketball Officials Association Items

We are accepting applications and nominations for Vice President. Please send your applications or nominations to any of the following Board members below.

On behalf of the BOA Board of Directors, I would like to thank all members who have sent in their membership dues for the upcoming year. If you have not sent in your dues, please feel free to contact me or any member of the BOA Board of Directors:

Lionel Butler, President
H 703-931-5529
W 703-824-2050
C 703-819-9992
E-mail: butlerl@cna.org

Tiffany A. Green, Secretary
H 202-526-8355
W 703-234-5128
C 571-237-8450
E-mail: tiffgreen14@hotmail.com

Gerald Cannon, Treasurer
11313 Quailbridge Circle
Hagerstown, MD 21742
H 301-791-6913
W 301-619-7401
E-mail: gc_ref@msn.com

Please let us know of any MACBOA member news that we should send cards, flowers, etc. The BOA is there for our membership and we can only act if we know of events. Events include sick members and their family members, condolence notices, as well as communication about professional appointments and selections to conferences and leagues. Again, the BOA wants to improve the communication between members and WE need your help. Please use us!

If you have any suggestions or comments about the BOA, please feel free to contact me or any Board member. Thanks you.

Lionel Butler, BOA President

Purchase Officials Supply (POS)

David M. Posner Purchase Official Supplies (POS) (301) 996-3284 www.angelfire.com/md3/refsupplies david_posner@hotmail.com Purchase Officials Supply (POS) is proud to be associated with the Mid-Atlantic College Basketball Officials Association (MACBOA)!  We are proud to offer the: Gray with black Pinstripe Uniform Shirt/jersey $24.00 (Special MACBOA price!) CCA jacket $44.00 All major forms of payment are welcome.  Orders are shipped within days of placement!  Please call or email today to order your MACBOA gray with black pinstripe shirts and any other officiating apparel (POS) you may need.

$24.00 Special MACBOA Price!

Order your MACBOA Logo Whistles!

Be the first to receive your MACBOA logo Fox-40 Classic Whistle while supplies last!

Send your payment of $5.00 for each whistle ordered to Ike Relacion, c/o MACBOA Logo Whistle, 21112 Archstone Way, Unit 101, Germantown, MD 20876-6996.

Submitting Articles for MACBOA Consideration

Thank you for your interest in submitting an article for consideration on www.macboa.org.

We accept well-written features, how-to articles, "how I did it" success stories, tips and hints, motivational articles and other articles that will help our audience gain knowledge and succeed in their officiating avocation.

We do not accept articles that are primarily advertisements. However, you may place a biographical section at the end of your article. It should be no more than 30 to 40 words in length. It would be nice if you could include a 60x60 picture of you in .gif or .jpeg format.

Below are instructions for submitting your article to the MACBOA.org web site. We ask that you read the terms of your Agreement with MACBOA.org carefully.

Please note: We only accept submissions from the original author of the articles or a publicist hired by the copyright owner to submit material here. By submitting material, you acknowledge that you are legally entitled to distribute the work and to allow it to be redistributed. (If you are a book publisher or public relations firm with copy to distribute, please include a note to that effect at the top of the article you submit.) We do not pay for articles, and do not accept articles that are primarily advertisements. However, you may place a brief resource box and contact information (but no ads) at the end of your article.

To send your article, click on the "Article Submission Form" and answer the questions and then copy and paste your submission into the space provided. We have provided a copy of the form below. Please be sure your by-line appears below the title of the article. Click on the submit button to complete the process and or cut-and-paste the completed form and your article to macboa1@aol.com.

Reward, challenge, appreciation, stimulation, writing, reading...rarely thanked or noticed.

These are some of the attributes of the well hidden job of MACBOA Newsletter Volunteer. Are you interested in working behind the scenes (screens?) to help get information to members? MACBOA is looking to grow our ranks by a couple of folks and thus, we're soliciting volunteers.

What do you do? Read postings. Write articles, membership news, coordinate interviews, cultivate sponsor relations, etc. Write e-mail back and forth amongst us to establish communication, and guidance to keep this list as valuable as possible for our membership. Although we're virtual, our presence is sensed, we hope...and appreciated, although rarely acclaimed.

We haven't a job description, nor do we know what knowledge, skills, and abilities are required, but some that will come in handy are:

• having the ability to write
  
• being thick skinned, not thick headed
  
• being able to express your opinions, while being open minded
  
• having at least a free hour or two a week caring for the membership
  

Please respond directly by e-mail to: irelacion@aol.com

HOW TO CONTACT THE NEWSLETTER COORDINATOR

MACBOA welcomes and encourages news and information for the periodic newsletter. Please submit all materials to address letters of comment, article proposals and queries, or news items to:

Ike Relacion, (301) 371-8520
E-mail: irelacion@aol.com

MACBOA Newsletter Information

MACBOA, INC provides the MACBOA newsletter. MACBOA is a nonprofit organization providing information about membership news. The MACBOA.ORG Newsletter's contents may be quoted and reused as long as attribution is included with the reprinting and/or posting.

MACBOA nor its guest contributors shall be liable or responsible to any person or entity for any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be have been caused, directly or indirectly by the information or ideas contained, suggested, or referenced in this newsletter

MACBOA does not share its email lists. We value and respect your privacy.

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