We are now almost two full weeks into the regular season and I wanted to post some notes to clarify some situations and to once again go over our procedures for Nebraska Basketball Officials. Overall, I am very pleased with the beginning of the season. I want to say “Great Job,” to all of you for your efforts so far.
Even with that said, however, I truly believe we can be even better!!! I hope these notes will benefit all of you as the season moves along.
First of all, I am asking all of you to be on time! Remember, our guidelines are you arrive ONE HOUR early for varsity contests and 30 MINUTES early for lower level contests. There are no excuses for being repeatedly late. I have informed Athletic Directors at the schools and my Referees in the leadership committee to inform me when officials do not meet these requirements. If you cannot be on time, you will lose games. Plain and simple!
Secondly, please respect your fellow officials when you are a member of a crew. Communicate. Be on time. Be a team. I understand some of you may want to bring family members to games. I have no issues with that. But the locker room before the game is not a place to bring your children. Do not inconvenience your partners by bringing others into the locker room. Arrive early, dress, and be prepared to do a good pre-game with your partners. Let’s be as professional as possible from the time you arrive at your destination until you leave.
Third, please confirm with the school administrators and your partners when you plan to arrive for your scheduled game. So far, we appear to be doing a better job with this. Let’s not get lax as the season goes on. You should email the host school athletic director or their designated contact at least two days before your scheduled game. Copy the email to your partners so they know when you will be there, as well. This also applies to the lower level games.
I want to clarify one new point of emphasis this year: enforcing illegal contact on a free thrower. Players positioned along the free throw lane are allowed into the lane at release of the free throw, however, they are not allowed to cross the free throw line, enter the semi-circle, and make incidental contact with the free throw shooter until the ball touches the backboard or the basket. If they do so, this is a VIOLATION and a delayed-violation signal is used. If the free throw is successful, the violation is ignored. If the free throw is missed, award another free throw. We prefer to handle this as a violation unless EXCESSIVE CONTACT is made! Normally, if excessive contact is made, it would come either simultaneous to the ball touching the backboard or the basket. In this case, a personal foul would be called.
I want to wish all of you a Happy Holiday season. The Varsity Metro Holiday Tournament begins this Saturday and I want to congratulate all of those officials who received assignments for the tournament. There are also going to be a number of lower level officiating opportunities over the holidays, as well.
Please feel free to email either myself or lower level assignor Justin Albrecht with questions at any time. I have listed our email addresses below.
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to Nebraska Basketball Officials.
Al Monaco
monaco.nbo@gmail.com
Justin Albrecht
albrecht.nbo@gmail.com
NBOSTRIPES 