PENNSYLVANIA STATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

 

Basketball Officials Manual and Guide

 

 

 

COMMISSIONER:  STEVE MURRAY

 

MEN’S BASKETBALL COORDINATOR:  ROGER MAISNER

 

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL COORDINATOR:  TODD JAY

 

SUPERVISOR OF OFFICIALS:  OWEN HANNAH

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BLOOMSBURG, CALIFORNIA, CHEYNEY, CLARION, EAST STROUDSBURG, EDINBORO, IUP, KUTZTOWN, LOCK HAVEN, MANSFIELD, MILLERSVILLE, SHIPPENSBURG, SLIPPERY ROCK, WEST CHESTER

 

 

 

 

 

PSAC BASKETBALL   2003-2004 SEASON

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMISSIONERS MESSAGE:

 

The PSAC is very pleased with the development of our own officials association.  We believe that the development of this officiating organization is one of the best things we have undertaken as a conference.  The overwhelming support and the quality of officials that form this organization is truly heartwarming for the conference.  We hope you will enjoy working in the PSAC and continue your development as a collegiate official.

 

The PSAC places a high value on sportsmanship and ethical conduct.  As an official, we certainly expect you to join with us in setting and enforcing the highest standards of competitive excellence and decorum.

 

Thank you for your interest in and support of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.  Best of luck during the 2000/2001 season.

 

Yours in Basketball

 

Steve Murray, Commissioner

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GAME MANAGEMENT:

 

Court Dimensions

The playing floor shall correspond to the maximum dimensions prescribed in the current edition of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Rules and Interpretations.

 

Court/Arena Playing Rules

 

Game Administration

Universities shall discourage spectators from using or bringing into the gymnasiums, arenas, buildings or areas of scheduled events the following items that may interfere with the progress of the event or are a distraction to the patrons:

 

The entire playing court surface and the surrounding border must be clear of all non team personnel from the time one or both teams arrive on the floor for pre-game and half-time warm-up.  Game security shall be alert to these concerns and deal with problems quickly and with respect to Conference and game rules.  While the clock is running, mascots will remain 6 feet from the end line on either side of the foul lane.  Team mascots will not approach game officials.

 

Game Backboards

Game backboards must comply with NCAA rules.  When it becomes necessary to use a substitute backboard, it too must comply with NCAA rules.  A reserve backboard shall be ready in the event of an emergency and it is recommended that any necessary change or replacement of game equipment be accomplished in 10-15 minutes or less.

 

 

 

 

Game Time Clock/Possession Indicator

 

 

NCAA/Conference Policy – Bench Person, Coach, or Player Ejection for Second Technical

A.     The NCAA basketball rules regarding a second technical directly charged to a coach, bench person or squad member for unsporting conduct states this is a flagrant foul and it carries the added penalty of ejection from the game.  Offenders must go to the team’s locker room, remain in that room or leave the building until the game is over.

B.     If a second technical is charged directly to any one person, the following procedure is recommended by the NCAA and is recommended as PSAC policy.

·        The official scorer shall inform the referee of the second technical directly charged to the coach, bench person, or squad member and this notification completes the official scorer’s responsibility.

·        The referee (or any official the referee so designates) shall inform the offender that he/she has received a second technical and under the rules, he/she must leave the court within a reasonable time (30-60 seconds).  The official will then ask the timer to start an “alternate  timing” device.  At this point, the officials have completed their responsibility in accordance with NCAA and Conference rules.  The three officials will move to the opposite side of the court and remain together at mid-court until play resumes based on the judgment of the referee.

·        It is imperative that a least one security and/or game management designated representative shall then (after a reasonable time of 30-60 seconds) escort the offender to the locker room.

C.     If the offender does not leave or if the offender chooses to cause a subsequent delay of game, another disruption, or another unsporting act, the officials will have the additional responsibility of awarding an additional technical or technicals, resulting in two free throws for each technical.  After the free throws, the team in possession of the ball before the technical foul(s) will retain possession of the ball at the point of interruption.

D.     Any time a coach, bench person or squad member is ejected for a first or second technical that is deemed “unsporting conduct” by the Conference’s interpretation of the NCAA and Conference guidelines for unsportlike conduct, the offender is subject to additional reprimand or penalty that the Conference declares appropriate under Conference policy.

 

 

 

E.      If a coach refuses to leave the court or if he/she takes his/her team from the playing area in protest, NCAA rules allow the game to be declared a forfeit.  The referee will make this judgment if the referee feels it is warranted.

 

Officials Appointment and Assignment

·        The Commissioner shall appoint basketball officials.  Officials shall be subject to rules and regulations governing their operations and working conditions as established by the Commissioner.

·        A person shall not be appointed or retained as an official if the person’s vocation or other conditions might affect the efficiency or quality of the person’s officiating. 

·        The Coordinator/Supervisor of officials will observe as many contest as possible during the year, but will visit each university a least one time during the season.  The Supervisor of Officials will also assign observers appointed by the Conference.  Each university will have an observer visit a minimum of one time during the season.

·        Although assignment will reach universities no later than November 1 of each season, there will not be any public release of the names of the officials assigned for each contest.  Names of officials can be listed in programs but not announced in the gymnasium/arena.  The announcer should state, “Officials for today’s contest have been assigned by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.”

·        Officials assigned to the Conference post-season tournament will comply with policies and procedures established specifically for that event.

 

Officials – Meeting Room

The host university shall provide a meeting room equipped with restroom and shower facilities for basketball officials on the day of the game.  The host university will also provide each official will a towel and a cold drink.  The room shall be available at least 90 minutes before game time and should be considered off-limits to any unauthorized personnel.

 

The host institution will make an effort to provide separate dressing rooms for men and women officials.

 

The host institution will provide parking for game officials close to the arena.  When possible the officials will be provided with a parking permit.

 

Late Arriving Official

Should an official arrive late for a scheduled start (weather related or any circumstance beyond the control of the official) it shall be the responsibility of the host athletics administrator or his/her designee to determine whether qualified officials can be found and whether the contest can be played.  If agreed the game will start with two officials unless previous arrangements are made by the Supervisor to start the game with another approved official.  Every effort will be made to notify both universities of the “replacement” official/s prior to the start of the games.  If the official(s) assigned arrives before half time and is deemed physically and mentally ready to work by the referee (and medical personnel if necessary), the assigned officials will then work

 

the second half.  The “replacement” official(s)  will complete the entire first half and await the referee’s decision at half time regarding second half work.

 

If a late official(s) should arrive after the start of the second half, this official(s) will not be permitted to officiate unless an “unusual circumstance” (such as illness or injury to any of the working officials) would warrant the need for the “late official(s)” to complete a minimum two person crew to finish the game.

 

An official working due to any late official circumstances will have his/her game fee adjusted fairly per Conference fee policy. (1/2 game fee or entire game fee)

 

Officiating – Post Game Policy

Game officials will have a post-game conference after every contest.  In games where the outcome of the contest may have been affected by an official’s call based upon a rule interpretation or application or when such problems as player/coach ejections, game management problems have occurred, game officials will not discuss the issue involved with anyone until they have contact the Supervisor of Officials.  After a thorough review of the situation has been completed, the Supervisor of Officials and/or the Commissioner will issue a statement and/or final decision to the institution involved and media.

 

Lead Officials, game referee will be responsible for completing a written game report and contacting the Supervisor of Officials within 48 hours following each contest.

 

Security

Adequate security protection shall be provided for game officials and personnel of both home and visiting teams when entering and leaving the gymnasiums/arena.  At least one security guard or designee should be stationed near the confines of both benches, so there is security help and protection for any participant (coach, bench person or squad member) who is ejected.  By NCAA rule, an ejected participant must leave the playing court.  He/She must remain there or leave the building until the game has ended.  Adequate security protection shall be ready for this possible occurrence also.  This procedure is extremely important for safety, liability, and crowd control concerns.  The Conference needs university cooperation and timely execution to help protect all concerned should this unfortunate occurrence develop.

 

A simple set of steps to initiate security for officials: 1. Private, secure dressing rooms with a lock on the door; 2. Game site administrator seated in a designated area during the contest; 3. Security to escort officials to and from the dressing room and car(s) when requested; 4. An evacuation plan in the event of an emergency so officials know where to meet security personnel; and 5. An established ratio between the number of fans expected at a contest and the number of security personnel assigned to the game(s).

 

Spectator Disruption Policy

The referee has the authority and the discretion under the playing rules to suspend play for any reason.  In the event of a disturbance, which is of such character and proportions that if disrupts the game; the following action should be initiated:

 

 

·        The referee shall call a halt to the game (referee’s timeout) and instruct each team captain to send his teammates to their respective benches.  Coaches will make special efforts to see that players do not become involved in the disturbance by holding them in the bench area or, upon instruction, taking them to their dressing room.

·        The referee will make a note of the elapsed time.  The clock operator will freeze the game clock at that point.  This being accomplished, the referee and his/her officiating crew will also return to the sideline.  The referee must make him/herself available to game management for further instruction.

·        Game management will assume responsibility immediately after team and officials have cleared the floor.  Under no circumstances are players, coaches or officials to become involved in the action.

·        Should the disturbance be such proportions that a long delay is imminent, or is such that it threatens the involvement and safety of the players, coaches or officials, the teams and officials will be instructed by game management to return to their respective dressing rooms.

·        Teams and officials will remain in their dressing rooms until the disturbance has been brought under control.

·        Game management will notify the referee of the “All Clear” when order has been restored, making continuation of play possible.

·        Teams will return to the floor, after which a five-minute warm-up period will be permitted.  Following the warm-up, the game will be resumed from the exact point at which the interruption occurred. 

·        Should the disturbance be of such proportions that further play would be impossible, the status of the game will revert to the directors of athletics of the schools involved.

 

Sportsmanlike Conduct Policy

It shall be the responsibility of each member university to ensure that all of its students and all individuals employed by or directly associated with it conduct themselves in a sporting manner when representing their university, especially at athletic contests.

 

Throwing of Debris Policy

Should this disruption occur, the referee must ask the host university to assume responsibility of appropriate action.  The public address announcer (Not the coach) should make an announcement asking that for the safety of the players, debris or items should not be thrown on the floor or a technical foul may be called.  Conference officials are instructed to use common sense and a cooperative reaction with the host university to properly warn the crowd to stop or a technical foul could be called.  Following this warning, the officials can and should call a technical if they have direct knowledge who is responsible for the throwing of debris.  The judgment is normally based on timing, circumstances and the amount of nature of debris.

 

The PSAC emphasize that excellent crowd control, the encouragement of good sporting like conduct, proper conduct by bench personnel and the experienced, good judgment of officials are all important in preventing such a problem in the first place.

 

(See PSAC Policy on Sportsmanship and Ethical Behavior:  Attached)

 

Tobacco Ban

The use of all tobacco products by all individuals at the site of Conference contest shall be prohibited.  In addition and prior to contests, officials are not to frequent restaurant, lounges or hospitality suites where alcoholic beverages are being served.  Nor are they permitted to visit restaurants, lounges or hospitality suites where coaches or fans are present or known to frequent.  Under no circumstances are officials permitted to consume alcoholic beverages before the game.

 

Officials Duties and Responsibilities.

·        48 hours before each contest, the umpires are required to contact the Referee (Lead Officials).  In the event the Referee is not contacted, the Referee will contact the Supervisor of Officials and provide him with the name(s) of the official(s) who failed to contact the referee.  Failure to comply may result in having the official(s) removed from the game.

·        Officials must arrive at the game site 1 ½ hours before the scheduled start of the contest.  Lead Officials are to notify the Athletic Director/game administrator upon their arrival.

·        Officials are to go immediately to the dressing area.  They are not permitted in the gym if another contest is being played.  Immediately following the contest, they are to leave the gym. There will be no contact with players, coaches or fans.

·        Dressing areas are off limits to fans, coaches or other unauthorized personnel.  Observers may introduce themselves before the game and visit following the contest if they have comments or questions.  Athletic Directors may visit the dressing area, but may only address rule interpretations or to secure information deemed necessary to perform their administrative duties.

·        The Referee will conduct a thorough Pre-Game Conference, 1 hour before the start of the contest.

·        Referees will be responsible for completing a post game report.  The report must be faxed or transmitted electronically within 48 hours following the contest.  In the event of an ejection, the referee must complete or fax the report immediately following the contest.  The Referee is also responsible for contacting the Supervisor of Officials via telephone immediately following each contest.

·        Game officials will arrive on the floor ½ hour before the start of a men’s contest and ¼ hour before the start of the women’s contest.  Game officials are not to converse with fans, coaches or any other spectators interested in the contests.

·        Referee will meet with team captains 14 minutes prior to the start of the games.  Upon completion, the referee will meet with table personnel unless he/she has previously done so.  It is suggested that a brief pre-game conference be conducted with table personnel immediately upon arrival on the court.

·        Game officials are to arrive at the game site properly attired.  PSAC attire is permitted.

 

Any deviation or omission of the aforementioned may result in suspension of the official.  Officials are asked to act and react professionally and responsibly at all times and under all circumstances.  The Supervisor of Officials will discuss behavior not deemed professional or responsible with the official.  Continual or severe violations may result in suspension or forfeiture of assignments.

 

 

Observers Duties and Responsibilities.

PSAC Observers will be responsible for attending games, conference and non-conference, for the purpose of providing feedback to the Supervisor of Officials and game officials when asked.  Observer will be scheduled to attend 7 playing dates throughout the season.  All will be men and women’s dates thus providing more observation.  Observers will be compensated by the Supervisor of Officials at a rate of $40.00 per date.  Payment will be made in December and March.

 

Each Observer will be issued a conference pass that will permit them to enter all contests free of charge.  Observers will be responsible for contacting the Athletic Director before attending a contest.  When possible the host school will provide courtside seating or reserved seating that will permit the Observer to perform their duties away from the student body yet with a clear view of all activities.

 

Observers will notify the officials of their presence but will not attend any post game conferences with the officials unless the observer deems it necessary to complete their Observation Sheet.  Observation sheets must be sent to the Supervisor of Officials 48 hours following the contest.  Observation Sheets may be mailed, faxed or transmitted electronically.

 

Observers will not meet with coaches or athletic directors to discuss the game, officials, rules or interpretation of rules.  All such requests are to be directed to the Supervisor of Officials.  It is hoped that each official will be observed either in person or on tape a minimum of twice per year.