January 1, 2011 | Issue 86

Remarks from the Supervisor of Officials: Donnee L. Gray

I hope everyone had a tremendous and safe holiday.   As we begin the second half of the season, remember it is our mission to provide the highest quality officiating services for member institutions.  MACBOA strives to place the best on staff and encourages each official to take care of each game, take care of administrative matters, and be good partners. With that is mind, here are some areas to review and act on.

Referee your primary area remembering that you also have a secondary responsibility in a basketball game.  Please see the whole play through until the end before you blow your whistle. There are some good block shots and great steals in the junior college game.  Remember three things when double-whistles occur: (1) remember whose primary area the play is in first; (2) find the other whistle (the person who is blowing the other whistle); and (3) a combination of numbers 1 and 2 should slow you down enough that you do not fall into two different scenarios.

I enjoy reviewing each of your tests.  Continue to take care of administrative matters and get into the rule book.

We thank you for your part in making MACBOA a success.

Donnee L. Gray
Supervisor of Officials

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Contributing Article by Carl A. Dudley 

R-E-S-P-E-C-T (The Official Attitude)

Out of all the games a person can choose to officiate, to choose the game of basketball says a lot about a person.  For the most part, the game is fast paced, challenging and dynamic, completed with a tremendous amount of emotions and excitement from the players, coaches, and their fans.  To experience any form of success in officiating, the person has to be courageous and resilient in all of their thinking and behaving.  On the floor, the official should recognize that it is their supreme function to keep the game running smoothly by interpreting and administering the rules of the national body (e.g. NFHS, NCAA) in a fair and just manner.  The responsibilities of the official are very different from the responsibilities of the players, coaches, managers, time keepers, fans, etc.  The official must always be aware of and sensitive to the maintenance of proper relationships with all of these groups of persons involved with the game.  A relationship which cultivates trust, confidence, and RESPECT is essential to successful game control.

As it has been said many times before, ATTITUDE is everything; it is a reflection of a person’s leadership.  When the official is on court, as well as off court, the courageous and resilient leader will posses the right attitude.  In many ways, attitude can be defined as a disposition; a state of mind or a manner in which a person behaves in nurturing a relationship.  In any relationship, when there is one person that is mature and has a desire to carry out a positive attitude, the relationship(s) stands a very good chance of surviving and being healthy.  Since the official is attempting to nurture healthy relationships while on and off the court, the official must possess and reflect an attitude that is based in RESPECT.  What an official accomplishes in a game depends upon the way he/she approaches their tasks.  When the official accept tough jobs as a challenge to their ability and wade into them with courage, effort and respect, miracles can happen.

The word respect may have different interpretations to different people and the power is often underrated or underestimated.  As Aretha Franklin described it in her hit song, “just a little bit [RESPECT]” carries a lot of weight in keeping any and all relationships healthy and successful.  The official, who personifies RESPECT (just a little bit) on and off the court, will definitely have the ability to foster healthy relationships with players, coaches, and fans, plus maintain control of the game.  However, in order to personify RESPECT, the official has to understand what RESPECT really means and internalize the meaning and incorporate it within their actions.  The word RESPECT has many dispositions and could possibly mean: 

RESPECT (The Official Attitude)

RESPONSIBLE:  The official who reflects the responsible attitude on and off the court is the official who truly recognizes and understand the power of their position and decisions.  Officiating the game is a package deal, with it comes responsibilities and consequences and the official who respects, accepts, and live up to the responsibilities on and off the court will not have any problems fostering healthy relationships and managing the game.  In the end, the expectations of those groups of persons are for the official to act responsibly; not irresponsible, simply because of the impact the officials’ actions have on the game and the people involved.

EXCELLENCE:  The official who strives for excellence versus perfection will have an easier job in executing their duties and contributing favorably to the game.  Excellence directs the official to develop a sustained eagerness for continuous improvement and innovation that will propel the game into a long-term, upward spiral of accomplishment and performance.  The excellence disposition allows room for a learning curve and is a solid foundation for improvement in performance.  True excellence is embodied in the actions of the officials who respects the consequences of their judgments and make the most of this attitude in all situations.

SERVICE:  The service oriented official reflects this attitude when execution of their responsibilities takes precedence over personal desires.  Officiating basketball is all about perceptions and angles, and when the official creates the perception that he/she is on the job and has the safety of the players’ needs, and the needs of the other customers (e.g. coaches, fans, administrators, etc.) in mind and visibly demonstrates through actions and decisions, then the official has properly reflected the service attitude. 

PASSION:  The passionate official has one of the most powerful engines of success.  The official reflects the passionate attitude by executing their duties with all of their might; they have put their soul/personality into the “job” of being good stewards of others’ feelings and emotions that playing the game brings. The passionate official is active and energetic and has no problem achieving their overall objective of advancing the game by earning the respect and giving the respect the game deserves. 

ENTHUSIASM:  The nature of enthusiasm is a powerful force that evokes others into positive action.  The official who reflects controlled enthusiasm in their actions has overcome 95% of the challenges the game brings in achievement and performance and maintaining a healthy relationship.  “Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your objective. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm” (as stated by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Philosopher/Poet).  If the official wants enthusiasm from players, the official has to reflect it in their attitude (just a little bit).

CARING:  The official who shows the caring attitude is the official who communicates respect to the fullest.  It has been said in many ways, “do unto others as you would want them to do unto you.”  The official who communicates to the other person that which he/she would expect back if positions were reversed (e.g. the official turns into a player or a fan), then the caring attitude (RESPECT) has been effectively established. 

TEMPERED:  The official who reflects the tempered attitude is the official who believes that patience is a virtue and practices it.  In all relationships, there will always be conflict.  The tempered attitude is beneficial for not only the official, but for the players, coaches, and fans.  If the official violates the tempered attitude, then there is trouble because effective decisions cannot be made when tempers are lost.  Poise and patience are visible signs of maturity. When respect is combined with a tempered attitude, it goes a long way in building confidence and trust and maintaining control of the game.

At game time, the official takes over the game.  The success of the game is in the attitudes and decisions of the official. With the right attitude, the game can flow smoothly and effortlessly, even under times of adversity and duress.  The task of the official (leader) is to get people from where they are to where they have not been and feel good about being there.  The game is very powerful in that at any level of involvement a person has with the game, the attitude and decisions of the official has the power to influence emotions and evoke actions.  The successful official will find a balance between two conflicting activities:  asserting authority and responding to others’ needs.  The official who finds the balance with RESPECT in their attitude and behavior, on and off the court, is surely on their way of experiencing success in officiating the game and maintaining healthy relationships. 

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MACBOA Staff Interview:
5-Minutes with Ernest Prevost

Why did you become a basketball official?

A good friend of mine was taking an officiating class and asked me to attend the class with him.  At first I was skeptical, because I was still calling myself a basketball player at that time, but I’m glad I did attend the class.

How long have you officiated basketball?

I have been officiating basketball for 8 years now.

What do you do as a full-time occupation?

I am a police officer with the Prince George’s County, Maryland Police Department.

Please share your thoughts on MACBOA, the organization?

When I first attended the Time Out Referee School, I was told that this was more of a family than anything, and after becoming a member, I can honestly say that this is true. If you think about it, wouldn’t we all love to work with our family and friends instead of strangers, and with MACBOA, you are constantly working with what feels like a family atmosphere.

Highlights or learning opportunities of your officiating avocation to date?

My career highlights, so far, include joining a Division I staff and selected to officiate the Regional XX Tournament for MACBOA.  I still have many more goals to achieve in this business that I have set for myself.

What would you like to tell individuals getting into officiating?

Basketball officiating can be fun and very rewarding.  You have the opportunity to make friends from all around the globe, but we have to remember to put it in its proper perspective. Try to involve your family in this business (take them with you on some of your road trips when possible).  Don’t place basketball over your career and then have to choose between your job (which pays the bills) and what you like to do as an avocation.  And always give back.  Remember, someone helped you to get where you are so why not help someone else when you can!

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MACBOA Staff Interview:
5-Minutes with Desiree Peterkin

Why did you become a basketball official?

I basically fell into this avocation at the right time.   I was still coaching college basketball at the time.   I filled out information for my local high school officiating board.   I decided to leave coaching behind that spring , and in the fall, I received a phone call to see if I was still interested in officiating so I took the classes.  Funny enough, I always had a lot of respect for officials as a player and a coach despite the hard time I gave some officials especially from the sideline as a coach.  I have to laugh at myself sometimes because I’m where I never really thought I’d be.

How long have you officiated basketball?

I completed 3 years and I’m happily going into my 4th year.

What do you do as a full-time occupation?

I am a high school teacher with the Baltimore County Public School system.

Please share your thoughts on MACBOA, the organization?

Well, I enjoyed my first year (last year) with MACBOA.  I met some really nice people and gained friends.  It’s been a great experience for me!  The support system is strong and the help is there any time one needs it.

Highlights or learning opportunities of your officiating avocation to date?

There have been many highlights and learning opportunities since I took up a whistle and threw on the stripes. I’ve basically enjoyed all of the camps and clinics I’ve attended.  Every opportunity has been learning and humbling experience.  What I have really enjoyed is learning from officials that officiated my college games (Loyola College – MD) and hearing about their experiences, challenges, and road to where they are now.  And what I have also enjoyed is seeing officials I work with work hard and move up. That makes me happy to see them enjoy the fruits of their labor because if they can do it then so can I.

What would you like to tell individuals getting into officiating?

First of all, it’s not what one thinks it is, so get in shape from the beginning.  It’s fun, hard, sweaty, enduring, long, exciting, thrilling, critical, rewarding, and sometimes painful.  But I love it!  So pick up a whistle, attending a training session, throw on your stripes and get out there.

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Basketball Officials Association (BOA) News from Rozier Collier

Please continue to inform the BOA about member information and news.  You may contact:

Rozier Collier at Rozcollier@aol.com
Brian Pearson at bapearson@live.com
David McAndrew at davesju9931@aol.com
______________________________________

We are proud to announce our partnership with TURFER Athletic and have launched the MACBOA Store.

Please visit us at: http://www.wearyourcolors.com/MACBOA
to shop for a full line of MACBOA shirts, jackets, team suits and accessories.

A portion of the profits from the MABOA store are returned to MACBOA as a fundraiser.

Contact:
Jennifer Borden
VP Sales & Marketing
TURFER Athletic
Email: jborden@turfer.com
Web site: www.turfer.com
Web client: www.wearyourcolors.com
Phone: (401) 345-9221

The BOA is looking for volunteers to assist on various committees. We are looking for members to form a Welcoming Committee and also a committee to determine if the membership would like to have an annual banquet at end of the season. Any and all ideas are welcome to help the BOA be an organization that the members can be proud of.

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Let’s Get into the Rule Book!
Quiz/Test Number #3

Deadline for Completion: January 12, 2011

Cut-and-Paste Test below and send with your ANSWERS: macboa10@aol.com.

TYPE YOUR FIRST NAME & LAST NAME:

ENTER AN “X” IF YOU: OFFICIATE MEN: ____ OR OFFICIATE WOMEN: ____
We want to thank AL BATTISTA for contributing the following test questions.

Please Answer True or False:

1. Class “A” technical fouls count towards the bonus and a player’s “five” personal fouls.

2. Class “B” technical fouls count towards the bonus and a player’s “five “personal fouls.

3. A-1 intentionally slaps the backboard; this technical foul shall count towards the bonus.

4. On a disqualification, the official shall notify the player and then the Head Coach.

5. B6 leaves the bench during a fight. B6 is disqualified and ejected.

6. B-6 is disqualified for committing “five” personal fouls. When Team B’s Head Coach is notified, B6 becomes bench personal.

7. A disqualified player shall be replaced within a 20 second time limit.

8. A-1’s dribble is interrupted. A-1 is in player control.

9. A-1’s dribble is interrupted.  A-1 requests a timeout.  An official grants the request.

10. When a player is ejected, he/she must go to their locker room until the game is over.

11. A flagrant personal is automatic ejection.

12. The length of each extra period is “4” minutes.

13. A-1 combatively pushes B-1 when the ball is dead. This should be ruled a flagrant personal foul.

14. Followers of a team are fans, mascots, cheerleaders, and bands that are associated with a particular team.

15. A common foul is a personal foul.

16. An intentional foul is a common foul.

17. Airborne shooter A-1 releases the ball and goes through B-1. This is a player control foul.

18. A double foul can be either a personal or technical foul.

____________________________________________________________________________

Questions and Answers from the December 2010 Test #2:

1. A-1 the thrower-in throws the ball onto the floor, B-1 intentionally “kicks“ the ball. The throw-in has ended. False – Rule 4.68.4 – A throw-in shall end when a passed ball touches or is legally touched by an inbounds player or when a player, who is located on the playing court, touches and causes the ball to be out of bounds or when the throw-in team commits a throw-in violation

2. A dunk attempt is a try. True – Rule.4.71.5 – a dunk attempt is a try

3. A try ends when it touches a player. False – Rule 4.71.4 – a try shall end when the throw is successful, when it is certain the throw is unsuccessful, when the thrown ball touches the floor or when the ball becomes dead

4. Verticality applies to a legal position. True – Rule 4.74.1 – verticality applies to a legal position

5. A-1 the airborne player momentum is carrying him/her out of bounds. A-1’s Head Coach requests a timeout. The Trail official does not grant the request. True – Rule 5.12.1-c – to a player or couch when an airborne player’s momentum is carrying him/her out of bounds or into the backcourt

6. On a free throw teammates of the free thrower shall not occupy lane spaces designated for opponents of the free thrower. False (Men) – Rule 8.1.4-d – Players shall be permitted to move along and across the lane to occupy a vacant space within the limitations listed in this rule.  True (Women) - Rule 8-1 Art. 4c.

7. A-1 is fouled on a drive to the basket and is injured. A-1 cannot shoot the free throws. His/Her substitute shall attempt the free throws. False – Rule 8.2.3 – When an injured player is unable to attempt a free throw try(s), one of the four remaining players on the playing court shall be selected by the opposing coach to attempt the free throw try(s) unless the committed foul was either intentional personal or flagrant. In such a case, the injured player’s coach shall select any player or team member to attempt the free throw try(s). True (Women) - Rule 8-2, Art. 2a

8. Excessive swinging of the arms and elbow(s) when there is contact is a violation. False – Rule 10.1 – per Dave McAndrew’s email earlier this season:  When the action of the arm(s) and elbows resulting from total body movement, as in pivoting or movement of the ball incidental to feinting (faking) with it, releasing it, or moving it to prevent a held bal or loss of control, illegally contacts an opponent BELOW the shoulders during a live ball, that illegal contact may not be considered a flagrant foul for excessive swinging (Rule 4.36.7) but a personal foul, common or intentional, has been committed.
When the action of the arm(s) and elbows resulting from total body movement, as in pivoting or movement of the ball incidental to feinting (faking) with it, releasing in, or moving it to prevent a held ball or loss of control, illegally contacts an opponent ABOVE the shoulders during a live ball, that illegal contact may not be considered a flagrant foul for excessive swinging (Rule 4.36.7) but a minimum of an intentional foul has been committed

9. You may go to the monitor to see who fouled on a play. False – Rule 2.13.7-A – Determine who committed a foul or whether a foul occurred. Except to determine a flagrant foul

10. You may go to the monitor to find the correct free throw shooter when you are uncertain. True – Rule 2.13.2-A.1 – determine who shall attempt a free throw(s) when there is uncertainty

11.At least one official shall arrive on the floor 30 minutes before the game. True (Men) – Rule 2.4.2 – For men, at least one official shall arrive on the floor 30 minutes before the stat of the game.  False (Women) - Rule 2-4.1 and 3. Women's rule is that officials shall arrive on the floor 15 minutes before the stat of the game.  

12. A-1 is driving to the basket and is fouled by B-1 while he/she is in the act of shooting. A-1 is injured on the play and cannot shoot his her free throws. A-1’s substitute will shoot the free throws. False (Men) – Rule 8.2.3 – When an injured player is unable to attempt a free throw try (s), one of the four remaining players on the playing court shall be selected by the opposing coach to attempt the free throw try(s) unless the committed foul was either intentional personal or flagrant. In such a case, the injured player’s coach shall select any player or team member to attempt the free throw(s). True (Women) - Rule 8-2.2a.

13. A-3 is cutting around the end line and goes out of bounds. Once A-1 leaves the floor, Team A has committed a violation. False – Rule 9.4.1-a – A violation has not been committed when a player, who steps out of bounds as permitted by Rule 7-5.6.b, does not receive the pass along the end line by a teammate and is the first to touch the ball after his or her return to the playing court

14. An illegal number is also a technical foul charged to the Head Coach.  False – Rule 10.2.3-b – Administrative, and does not count towards team foul count

15. Goal-Tending on a Free Throw is a Class B technical foul. True – Rule 10.6.1-I – Touching a ball in flight (goaltending) during a free throw

16. Basket-Interference can occur on a pass. True – Rule 4.5.a – touches the ball or any part of the basket while the ball is on or within basket (in the case of an alley-oop where the ball is touched while still in the cylinder above the rim).

Thanks to Adam Isenburg (Men) and Dave McAndrew / Kathy Awkard (Women) for detailing answers to Test #2.

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