Training Guide

For basketball table officials

©2011, Quebec Basketball Federation

Table of Contents

  • Table of contents
  • Scorekeepers
  • Before the Game
  • The Score
  • Substitutions
  • Time Outs
  • Team Fouls Situations
  • After the Game
  • 24-Second Operator......
  • Before the Game
  • During the Game
  • Change of Possession......
  • Ball Out of Bounds
  • Example
  • Exception
  • Shot at the Net
  • After a Foul
  • Timekeeper
  • Before the Game
  • During the Game
  • Periods......
  • The Buzzer
  • Time
  • Time Outs
  • In Case of Overtime
  • After the Game

Scorekeepers

Before the Game

  • Always check your equipment
  • Score board
  • Chronometer (make sure you have a spare timer)
  • Buzzer
  • An arrow to indicate possession (mandatory). The Scorekeeper has the responsibility of changing the direction of the arrow when required
  • Table
  • Three (3) chairs
  • Ballpoints
  • Game sheet
  • Sheets for specific playing rules
  • Sounding the Buzzer
  • 3 minutes before the start of the game (3 distinct pushes)
  • 1min 30sec before the game to advise teams to return to their bench (1 push)
  • Let the time run out such that the buzzer sounds when the time reaches 0:00.
  • Sound the buzzer 1 minute before play resumes between quarters
  • On substitutions when players are at the table to warn officials and teams
  • On a time out, at 50 and 60 seconds
  • Complete the score sheet as soon as possible and indicate:
  • The five (5) starters on each team with an ‘X’. This must be done 10 minutes before the start of the game. Begin with the Home Team.
  • The Captain of each team with a ‘C’.
  • Have the coaches sign to validate the score sheet.

  • Figure 1: Players’ List

The Score

  • On the score sheet, give priority to the «Intermediate Results» section. Following each basket scored by either team, add one (1), two (2) or three (3) points in the following order:
  • o the score sheet, in the cumulative score section,
  • credit the players who made the basket,
  • on the scoreboard.
  • Points for each of the players are accounted in two (2) successive periods (plus the overtime when it occurs) according to the period they were scored. Indicate a regular basket with a ‘2’ and a three-pointer with a ‘3’. When a 3-point basket is successful, the official farther from the basket will indicate it by raised both arms above his head.
  • A distinction needs to be made for foul shots:
  • When two fouls shots are awarded, you only need to draw two circles one above the other as shown in Figure 2. If the first free throw is successful, darken the upper circle and if the second one is successful, darken the lower. Add the scores made in the cumulative score. Each darkened circle counts for one (1) point.
  • When only one free shot is awarded following a foul made where a basket has been scored, indicate the number of points for the basket (two or three) and add a circle to the written number. If the foul shot awarded after a successful basket is made, darken the circle. Add this additional point to the cumulative score.

  • Figure 2: Individual Scoring

  • When both periods are completed and the game is finished, total the score for each player and that of the team.
  • During the course of the game, you will need to account for the cumulative score. This score is most important. Therefore, the cumulative score must be written in first then, add the value of the score to the proper player. Note that you must add the cumulative score. In addition, never write the scores one above or under the other. To avoid such a mistake, immediately put an hyphen in the box above or under the box you have just used.
  • Figure 3: Cumulative Score

Substitutions
Note:The ball becomes live when it leaves the Referee’s hands on a jump ball, when the Referee places the ball at the free thrower’s disposal or when he places it at the disposal of the player making the throw-in. A substitution may only occur when the ball is dead.

  • When one or more players present themselves at the table for a substitution, you must advise the officials at the first stoppage of play by using the buzzer. IMPORTANT - The substituting player must be at the table before the ball becomes live again!
  • On a stoppage on play, both teams have the possibility of substituting one or more players.
  • In all categories and in the last two (2) minutes of play of the 4th period (2nd half) and in any overtime period, only the team scored upon is allowed a substitution (Rule 19.2.2). The only exception for the scoring team occurs if the Referee stops play (Rule 19.2.5).
  • During a time-out or an interval of play, a substitute must come directly to the table before entering the floor.

Time-OutsNOTE: Only the Head Coach or Assistant-Coach may request a time-out.

  • The occasions on which a time-out can be granted are:
  • when the opposing team scores;
  • by either team after the last free throw has been successful as long as the time-out has been requested before the ball has been placed at the disposal of the free thrower;
  • when the ball is dead.
  • When a coach requests a time-out, you must, at the first stoppage of play, use the buzzer to advise the officials that a time-out has been requested. The coach cannot request a conditional time-out such as «I want a time-out if the other team scores». Either the coach requests a time-out or cancels his request before the time-out is signaled.
  • Should a coach as used his allotted time-outs, (2 in the first half, 3 in the second half and 1 for each overtime period), advise the Referee such that the latter advises the coach.
  • Use your hands to indicate which team has requested the time-out. You must always wait until the clock is stopped (following a whistle) to signal a time-out to the officials, except for the following situation.
  • If for example, Team ‘A’ requests a time-out, signal the request if a basket is scored against Team ‘A’. Following the successful basket, stop the clock and immediately signal the time-out to the officials by using the buzzer.

  • Figure 4: Time-outs (scratch the unused time-outs in a different manner at the end of each half and overtime period).

  • Two time-outs are available in the 1st half and three in the 2nd half as well as one for each overtime period. THEY ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE.

Team Fouls Situations

  • When a foul is called by an official, the latter will come to the table to indicate the number of the offending player.
  • Indicate the foul to the offending player by using the number of the period in which it was committed as shown in Figure 2.
  • Indicate the foul in the total of the team’s cumulative fouls as shown in Figure 5.
  • As a courtesy, advise the coach when one of his players commits his third personal foul and advise him on each subsequent foul (to avoid surprises).
  • Advise the Referee when a player commits his fifth personal foul as such player must leave the game. The same applies when a player has cumulated his second unsportsmanlike foul (indicate such a foul by using the letter ‘U’ in the personal fouls column.
  • Write in technical fouls (using a ‘T’ in the personal fouls column) and add another foul to the team’s cumulative total of fouls. Technical fouls assessed to coaches (‘Tc’ for a foul personally assed to a coach - ‘Tb’ for a foul against the bench in the column besides coaches) do not count in the team’s total.
  • Unsportsmanlike fouls are personal fouls and must be administered in the same manner as personal fouls (therefore appearing on the team’s total.)
  • In all categories, administer the penalty situation beginning with the 5th team foul in each period.
  • Indicate to the Referee that you are in a team penalty situation when the 5th team foul has been committed and on every subsequent fouls. It is recommended that the number of team fouls be communicated from the 3rd team foul and on.
  • It should be noted that a team control foul (offensive), although we may be in a penalty situation (bonus), there are no free throws and play is resumed by a throw-in.

  • Figure 5: Cumulative Team Fouls

After the Game

  • Complete the score sheet: total of team fouls, team and individual scores.
  • Sign the score sheet.
  • Hand a copy of the score sheet to the Visiting Team (yellow), the Home Team (Pink) and to the League or Tournament Statistician (white).

Guide for Basketball Table OfficialsPage 1

Quebec Basketball FederationScorekeeper

24-second Operator

Before the Game

  • Always check your equipment
  • Time piece
  • Buzzer (the sound must be different from that of the game clock)
  • Board showing the 24-second clock countdown.

During the Game

  • Rule:
  • When a player a player takes control of a live ball within the boundaries.
  • On a throw-in, when the ball touches or is legally touched by any player within the boundaries AND the team of the player who made the throw-in keeps possession, this team has 24 seconds to attempt a shot at the basket.
  • Starting the 24-second period
  • On a throw-in, start the 24-second clock as soon as an attacking player touches the ball within the boundaries (the game clock and the 24-clock are started at the same moment.
  • On the beginning jump ball.
  • Following a free throw (if the throw is successful, on the throw-in).
  • After an attempted shot at the basket which touches the rim.
  • After a team takes control of the ball.

Stopping the 24-second clock

  • As soon as the official whistles, the clock must be stopped without resetting.
  • On a shot or pass (except a throw-in), if the shot touches the rim, the 24-second clock must be reset. One exception: When the ball gets stuck between the board and the rim, the 24-second clock is not reset if the attacking team keeps possession (in FIBA: the ball is considered not to have touched the rim).
  • In any «jump ball» situation, the scorekeeper must place his hand on the possession arrow, wait to see which team will get possession and, if necessary, change the direction of the arrow once the throw-in is completed.
  • If the arrow indicates that the possession returns to the team that was in possession, do not reset the 24-second clock.
  • If the arrow indicates that the possession will go to the opposing team, reset the 24-second clock.

Change of Possession

  • Team ‘A’ has control of the ball, the 24-second clock runs down.
  • Should Team ‘B’ steal the ball from Team ‘A’ and gains possession, the 24-second clock must be reset for Team ‘B’.
  • If a Team ‘A’ player loses the ball and it is free or rolls on the floor, the 24-second clock keeps running.

Ball Out-of-Bounds

  • Should the ball become dead, you must stop the 24-second clock without resetting it. At that point, two situations may occur:
  • If the defending team is awarded the throw-in, you must reset the 24-second clock as there is a change of possession.
  • If the defending team sends the ball out-of-bounds such that the attacking team is awarded possession, the 24-second count will continue as there has been no change of possession.
Example
  • There are 12 seconds left on the shot clock and the ball is tipped out-of-bounds by B3. Team ‘A’ keeps possession, and the clock will show 12 seconds at the throw-in.
Exception
  • However, is stopped voluntarily (the Referee will signal it) by a player’s leg or fist, in the back court of the attacking team, a new 24-second period will be awarded unless:

  • IMPORTANT - In the last two minutes of the game: Following a time-out taken by the attacking team in its back court and this team is awarded a throw-in at the throw-in line in the front court, the 24-second clock will not be reset.

  • If the ball is stopped voluntarily (the Referee will signal it) by a player’s leg or fist, in the front court of the attacking team, the 24-second clock will be adjusted as follows:
  • If there were 14 seconds or more remaining on the 24-second clock, the clock is not reset.
  • If there were 13 seconds or less on the 24-second clock, it will be reset to 14 seconds.
  • When a player is injured and the Referee whistles, the 24-second clock is reset only if the injured player is on the defensive team. If an attacking player is injured, the 24-second clock is not reset and shows whatever time is remaining.

Shot at the Basket

  • You must reset the 24-second clock as soon as the ball touches the rim; it is very important for officials to be very vigilant in this situation.
  • If the ball enters the basket:
  • You must reset the 24-second clock as soon as a player touches or is touched by the ball after the ensuing throw-in.
  • If there is a rebound:
  • When an offensive (if the ball has touched the rim) or a defensive player controls the ball, reset the 24-second clock.

After a Foul

  • If a foul is committed by the defense in the offensive team’s back court, the 24-second clock must be reset unless:

  • During the last 2 minutes of the game: After the offensive team takes a time-out while in its back court, the ensuing throw-in will take place in the front court and the 24-second clock will not be reset.

  • If the foul is committed by the defense in the offensive team’s front court, the 24-second clock will be reset as follows:
  • with 14 seconds or more showing on the 24-second clock, no reset;
  • with 13 seconds or less showing on the 24-secon clock, reset to 14 seconds.
  • The 24-second clock is reset when free throws are awarded.
  • The 24-second clock is reset when technical and unsportsmanlike fouls are committed unless:

  • During the last 2 minutes of the game: After the offensive team takes a time-out while in its back court, the ensuing throw-in will take place in the front court and the 24-second clock will not be reset.

  • There is no reset of the 24-second clock following a double foul and the clock remains as showing.

Timekeeper

Before the Game

  • Twenty (20) minutes prior to the scheduled time for the game, activate the game clock.
  • When there are three (3) minutes left on the clock, sound the horn three (3) times to advise officials and players of the remaining time before the game.
  • When there is 1:30 minute on the clock, again sound the horn in order that the coaches call their players backs to the bench and give them the last directives for the game.

During the Game

  • For Pre-Novice, Novice, Mini, Atom and Bantam games, the time is divided in four (4) quarters of six (6) or eight (8) minutes.
  • For Midget and Juvenile AA school games; the time is divided in four (4) periods of eight (8) minutes.
  • For Midget AAA, Civilian Juvenile A and AA, Juvenile AAA, Junior A, AA and AAA, Cégep A, AA and AA, Open AA and AAA et University, the time is divided into four (4) ten-minute (10) periods.
  • In all categories, a two-minute (2) rest between the first and second period, the third and fourth period as well as between any overtime periods.
  • In games played in 6 and 8-minute periods, the maximum rest at half time is ten (10) minutes.
  • In games played in 10-minute periods, the maximum rest at half time is fifteen (15) minutes.

Periods

  • Light up the light that corresponds to the period being played.

The Buzzer

  • The buzzer is used for four (4) specific reasons:
  • to indicate the end of playing time;
  • to advise the officials that a substitution will occur (when a player is at the table);
  • to advise the officials that a time-out has been requested;
  • to advise the officials that there is some sort of a problem at the table (wait until the clock is stopped and the ball is dead).
  • The buzzer must be set on ‘automatic’ in order that it sounds as the period ends. Let the buzzer sounds until the Referee whistles.
  • To signal a substitution, sound the buzzer for each request (except during time-outs and intervals).
  • NOTE: Do not sound the buzzer before the player is physically at the table (therefore, if the coach is yelling «Sub!, Sub!», do not sound the buzzer.
  • No substitution is allowed between free throws.
  • Time-outs and substitutions are allowed for both teams after the last successful free shot.

The Time

  • To start the clock, you must wait until the ball is touched by a player inbounds. (As a visual clue, the official conducting the throw-in will bring his arm down.)
  • The clock must be stopped on every whistle.

  • During the last two (2) minutes of play of regulation time or any overtime, the clock must be stopped after each successful basket. If there are substitutes of the team scored upon, the buzzer must be sounded to advise the officials as that team is entitled to substitute.
  • The clock must be restarted as soon as the ball touches or is touched by a player after the throw-in.

Time-Outs

  • A time-out lasts 60 seconds.
  • Sound the buzzer at 50 and 60 seconds.
  • Begin timing the time-out when players are back at their respective benches or upon the Referee’s signal.
  • Two possible scenarios: The clock is stopped or after a basket. A time-out is granted when the opposing team scores a basket, during any stoppage of play and when the last free throw by either team is successful.
  • The coach must request the time-out at the table before the ball is handed to the player making the throw-in.

Team Fouls Situation