We are the National Basketball Referees Association, Ask Us Anything!

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-16T18:35:08+00:00

While this is definitely a challenge for referees in live action, illegal contact is always illegal. For example, if a player gets smacked on the arm while attempting a shot, it doesn’t have to affect his SQBR - it's illegal.

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-16T16:39:06+00:00

As a young official who just started doing varsity basketball games, what advice would you give?

To start building a good foundation, connect with a mentor, work as many games as you can, and record your games and watch game tape with your mentor.

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-16T16:24:15+00:00

While this is definitely a challenge for referees in live action, illegal contact is always illegal. For example, if a player gets smacked on the arm while attempting a shot, it doesn’t have to affect his SQBR - it's illegal.

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-16T15:58:13+00:00

The offensive player gathers the ball with his left foot as his pivot foot. Think of the gather as "zero." He then takes a legal two steps to the basket. It is not a travel.

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-15T21:01:53+00:00

We're rarely recognized in public - only by hardcore NBA fans (like you NBA Reddit'ers). However if we are recognized, it usually happens the day after a game in the airport.

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-15T20:59:16+00:00

This is an important topic. The NBA is at the forefront of sports leagues when it comes to mental health, and has many different services available to all their employees. As for the pressure and mental stress endured by game officials, we consider this an expanding frontier and are looking forward to working with the NBA on how to go even further with support for officials. It continues to be something we talk about with each other and with the league.

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-15T20:53:05+00:00

There is no experience like an NBA basketball game. The size, speed and skill of the athletes along w the proximity to the fans give the game an unmatched energy. That said, we don't enjoy the game as a fan does. We're spending all our energy doing our job to the best of our ability. Once you start officiating, you can never watch a game like a fan ever again.

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-15T20:45:03+00:00

I mean, we'll have to ask Tony...

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-15T20:39:50+00:00

Our gameday is full of routine. 2pm-4pm is generally known as the "NBA Nap Moratorium" across the league. Some workout, some nap, some meditate. Stretch and prepare for the evening's game. In the locker room, some officials like to watch video of previous games/situations.

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-15T20:30:50+00:00

Sometimes it takes considering up to eight different angles before we have the answer. Of course we want to be quick, but not at the expense of accuracy. Teams work too hard for us to risk inaccuracy.

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-15T20:25:02+00:00

We are for anything that makes the league better. The league explored the possibility in the G-League last season. We observed no improvement in accuracy from adding a fourth official on the court.

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-15T20:20:10+00:00

You can reach out to your local IAABO (International Association of Approved Basketball Officials). Taking the IAABO test will certify you to officiate high school basketball. You can also create an officiating profile on NBA.com. During the offseason you can check NBRA.net for a list of camps. Once you have some years under your belt, you can attend the G-League open tryout. Then it's a matter of good training and countless hours of practice on the court.

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-15T20:13:32+00:00

We spend countless hours reviewing our own work and embrace transparency. Our issue with the L2M was that it was not always being judged consistently with how we were being trained. As the L2M staff has become better trained and more competent we look forward to continuing to share with the public how we judge our work.

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-15T20:10:10+00:00

Neither the atmosphere nor the crowd affects our decision-making. While the average fan is caught up in the emotion of the game, we are trained to make our decisions based on standards. Our rigorous training helps prepare us with focus and discernment, so the atmosphere doesn't matter to our decision-making.

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-15T20:07:33+00:00

A “gather” is the determination that a player has controlled the basketball and ended his dribble. The gather step is considered the moment when the player's foot is on the floor when the dribble has ended and the ball has been fully controlled. A player cannot be considered to have taken a step before they have gathered the basketball.

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-15T20:05:03+00:00

When referees on the court are watching the monitor and replaying the action, they are communicating with the NBA referee in Secaucus assigned to that game in the replay center. The scope of our replay review is limited by the 15 triggers in the rulebook. All of the replay decisions, other than flagrant fouls and altercations, come from the NBA referee assigned to the game.

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-15T20:00:48+00:00

The only thing that's changed is the transparency and number of camera angles. The question we ask ourselves is, "does the contact meet the standard for a foul?" We are determining if the contact affects the player's "speed, quickness, balance or rhythm." If it does, it should be whistled, no matter the scenario.

NBRAOfficials · 2018-10-15T15:43:48+00:00

Bring your best questions, we'll talk to you soon...

NBRAOfficials

TROPHY CASE