🏀 Referee Insights: 5 Key Basketball Plays Explained | 5 Play Friday

[@johnpierce2936]

First year basketball official here. I’d just like to thank you for all the hard work you’ve put in off the court with these videos. Coming from the baseball umpiring world these videos have helped me visualize all kinds of situations that might occur in a basketball game. You’re the man Greg!

[@calvinbaird9506]

I concur!

[@OpaTheOpenminded]

Play 3: @9:51 Correct blocking foul called for illegal contact with an airborne player. The defender did not obtain legal guarding position at the spot prior to the offensive player going airborne. The player is already becoming airborne as the secondary defender begins to establish position at the spot, however, the secondary defender also jumps from point A to point B, making contact with an airborne player, thus negating the relevance of whether they had obtained the position prior to the player becoming airborne. For this to have been legal contact, the secondary defender would have had to establish their position at the spot prior to the opponent becoming airborne AND maintained that spot with verticality, jumping from point A to point A (not from point A to point B). They do need some time on the clock with this foul, however. If there is no time on the clock, then this would have been a dead ball foul which is deemed an intentional technical foul. I do not believe we have that here. I believe we have a foul during live play, prior to the expiration of time, and that somewhere between 0 :01.5 and 0 :01.0 should be placed on the game clock. I confess, I can also agree with the sentiment that this is not an OBVIOUS enough foul in this game situation to put a whistle on the play. I would be ok with a no call on this play, considering that the foul itself is not an OBVIOUS elephant in the room. But, by rule, it is a foul.

[@alexanderhickman9852]

I would concur. Secondary defender basically showing lateral movement when going vertical defending the shooter. It is a foul

[@OpaTheOpenminded]

Play 1: @1:06 The very first whistle I have is a foul on Red 2 as he crashes on top of White 3. This would put White into the bonus with it being Red's 5th team foul of the 2nd Quarter; White 3 shoots two bonus free throws. A case can be made for a foul on White 3's dive to the ball, judging him to be responsible for illegal contact with Red 2's legs. In this instance, White team would pick up their 5th team foul, however Red would not be shooting bonus free throws as this is an offensive foul with White still in team control during the loose ball. Red would receive the ball for an inbound in their back court, on the side line opposite the table, nearest the location of the foul, with the shot clock being fully reset. Having a good angle on this play is important when judging which player was in front, and which is responsible for any illegal contact. If we were to come to an agreement that this contact is not a foul (argument being "incidental contact," due to equally favorable positioning, while making normal offensive/defensive movements; Rule 4-27-2), then the next whistle is Back Court Violation on White 3 since Team Control remained with White, in their Front Court, throughout the loose ball play. In this instance, Red would inbound the ball at the 28 foot mark in their own front court, opposite the table. Shot clock would be fully reset. Notice that White 3's leg is also contacting the ball at this point. This, however, is not a kickball violation, as the contact of his leg to the ball was not intentional. Continuing down this journey, if the back court violation had not occurred, then I'd have a foul on Red 4 as he illegally contacts White 15's right leg, displacing him to the ground. This would put White in the Bonus and White 15 would shoot 2 free throws. Finally, if none else were true, I would have an inadvertent whistle for granting a time out to White, both while the ball was Live and the requesting team did not have Player Control. After officially reporting the inadvertent whistle, I would confirm whether or not White's coach still wanted to utilize their time out. Regardless of White's decision (or Red's, if they instead chose to now utilize a time out), play would be resumed with White inbounding the ball in their front court, at the 28 foot mark opposite the table. The shot clock would not be reset. Inadvertent whistles are a rule-covered part of the game. While the ball remains live during a loose ball, team control always remains with the team whose player last had control, unless it is a shot attempt or a tap for goal (White 15, when he causes the loose ball during a pass attempt to White 3) This is covered by Rule 4-12-4. We would not utilize the Possession Arrow in this instance, because White was in Team Control during the inadvertent whistle's Point of Interruption. This is a tough play that can catch us off guard in a hurry. See the big picture and make a decision on the first thing you see (often times a foul during the scramble). Very good clip, lots to learn, thank you for sharing!

[@patrickkeating2860]

On play 1, the first thing I noticed was inappropriately granting the TO. I also agree on the backcourt violation Additionally, team technical for horrendous music choice @24:02

[@OpaTheOpenminded]

Play 2: @3:01 I like the Violation call for player voluntarily going out of bounds to gain an advantage while also being the first person to touch the ball upon returning to the playing court. This is only the 2nd season this rule has been in effect (in 2024), so many people are still unfamiliar with it (Rule 9-3-3). I would have also been ok with a Team Control Foul on the screen at the End Line under the basket, as the offensive player leans outside of their verticality while also extending an elbow to make illegal contact with an opponent (Rule 4-40-2D). This is a call the Lead could benefit from some help on from the Center, as the Lead has 7 different players around their primary area, and they are likely primarily focused on the primary defender, as well as the first Blue player setting a screen. This double screen action is very difficult to have a good look on by yourself as the Lead.

[@OSUMensClubBBall]

Play 2 is a case study used for the 2024-25 rule book. Please do not call this out of bounds - this rule was not clarified when this video came out and he later makes videos clarifying. A player must gain clear advantage for this to be called, the defender recovers and therefore the offensive players no longer has an advantage. He is allowed to touch the ball. Only time this rule is really in effect is if an offensive player is “hiding” out of bounds to trick the offense or something to similar effect

[@joelferebee4094]

I am a first year official and have learned tons from binging your videos! Thanks

[@Ms_Bris]

Im a new official. These videos are extremely helpful. Really appreciate your explanations and walk through of the plays. Keep up the amazing work and know that your time, expertise and content are appreciated.

[@BetterOfficials]

Thanks, will do! I appreciate the feedback

[@BetterOfficials]

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[@lt_dans__leggs573]

Play 5 is an ejection for the coach! This is beyond fair play!

[@cptfwiffo]

I can understand the sentiment. But but unsportsmanlike behavior of a player is a U (sorry Fiba here). You can make two of those. For a coach, it's a Tech. He can make two of those. Direct ejection is only for physical acts of violence (or horribly verbal ones). You could consider putting him on a *very* short leash (and tell him: Coach, that was way overboard. I suggest you sit pretty for the next 10 minutes, because I've had it with you. If you so much as yell Hello at us, you're risking your second tech and ejection)

[@ericerickson7544]

Gregg the video cut off the 2 free throw at the 14:10 mark in the Abingdon game did the shooter violate the Shooters FTL and actually step into the lane with the shot in the air?

[@shaboofmaloof]

4:45 In SoDak, they use the Delay signal from direction of NFHS. We are the guinea pigs for the possible mechanics change. Also, we were told that the ball would be put in play where the player re-entered the floor.

[@lt_dans__leggs573]

Excellent call for the "large" lead on violation

[@coachaugie]

I don't see him "voluntarily" running out of bounds. there is contact from the defender, and, from my point of view, he is pushed out of bounds and proceeds forward. Question...if that was the scenario, does someone still have to touch the ball before he does? Thanks in advance!

[@HillPork]

Question for play#3 (11 min mark) . If no time is on the clock, can a time it be granted by either team?

[@BetterOfficials]

Yes. No restriction against using time outs here.

[@wnoe09able]

The only restriction on using time outs here would be that no successive timeouts could be granted after time has expired in the 4th quarter or any extra period

[@JoeNugent-k9d]

yes

[@markfeiner1011]

Over and back violation

[@royalones]

On play 1, C should have valuable input on this. He has the best view of possession. He knows the ball is loose when the whistle was blown. He has to take that to the calling official to make this right. That is an inadvertent whistle. White looses the timeout and we go to alternating possession to determine who gets the ball at the point of interruption. The trail is going to get an ear full from one of the coaches. But he earns it with the inadvertent whistle.

[@OpaTheOpenminded]

Inadvertent whistles are a rule-covered part of the game. While the ball remains live during a loose ball, team control always remains with the team whose player last had control, unless it is a shot attempt or a tap for goal (Rule 4-12-4). Point of interruption Rule helps us next (Rule 4-36-1,2A), clarifying that with this existing Team Control, White would remain in control with a throw in, located in their front court, at the 28 foot mark opposite the table. Shot clock would not reset. Possession Arrow would not be utilized in this instance. White would not automatically lose a time out, but could elect to utilize it after the inadvertent whistle was reported. Red could elect to utilize a time out at this point as well, since it is now a dead ball.

[@BrentDeBraga]

#1 I have a foul on red 41. Giving TO is thin because white didn’t really keep player control, but did he have it long enough for the TO call?

[@lt_dans__leggs573]

Bonus Play is Another backcourt violation. I sense a theme? There are 3 referees on this game and none caught it before the foul! I have only personally seen this in a game between 3rd and 4th grade girls.

[@MaydayAggro]

Bonus play: If no backcourt was ruled, and black had made this shot (scoring for white), then white grabbed the ball for a throw in and actually threw the ball in, would you rule delay of game warning for interfering with black's throw in?

[@wnoe09able]

Greg, assuming in the bonus play that the black player controlled the tip in her backcourt and just began driving toward the wrong basket and was fouled while trying to shoot at that basket. In that case, since the players lined up correctly and there was no backcourt violation, we would simply have a spot throw in for black at the nearest spot to the foul, correct?

[@BrentDeBraga]

#2 is perfect. He even used delayed mechanic. Come in POI.

[@sd-pq2fk]

Before you roll the clip, maybe let us know which position we are looking at it from. Thanks!

[@cptfwiffo]

Eh, for play 3, the defender established position, but that is not the issue. He didn't jump straight up. He jumped sideways (and a little back). But that means he doesn't have a legal guarding position. I completely understand the call. The ballhandler would've been able to shoot the gap if the defender jumped straight up.

[@lt_dans__leggs573]

Play #1 was a backcourt violation or maybe a foul on red

[@andyguerra6791]

Play 5 depending on how coach behavior has been throughout the game will determined how I would adjudicate this unsportsmanlike action.

[@BrentDeBraga]

#3 is no call play on. Vertical defense.

[@mae2759]

#2 - How do we effectively communicate this violation? Do you think a new signal would be beneficial in this instance? You can see the collective WTF look on everyone's face when the whistle blows. lol

[@BetterOfficials]

Tough. Gotta use voice here.

[@Oshujax21]

Wow, I didn't see the player leave out of bounds on play 2...I was thinking play 2 was a 3 second lane violation on blue. Either way, it's a turnover

[@jerryferrell6215]

@17:10 - 17:16, in your own words you say "we have team control" -- then seconds later you say "player loses control of the ball".....but your reasoning still gives team control to black?? this seems weird...are you saying that team control is not lost when a player on that team loses control? does the other team have to establish control before the control is lost by the team previously in control? That kind of thinking would mean that a "loose ball" is a misnomer...with respect to "team control".....I'm new -- so just trying to learn here....

[@BetterOfficials]

Hi Jerry! We have Team Control, which is established by having Player Control on the Court. Team Control, by rule, continues until Team Control ends. Not Player Control, Team Control. Team Control does not end on this play. Team Control ends only with a try for goal, the opponent gaining Player Control, or the ball becoming dead. Hope that clarifies.

[@lt_dans__leggs573]

Play 3 could have been a "no" call. Looks like around a second of time?

[@MaydayAggro]

I agree with both. I think defender barely established LGP and his non-vertical extended arm did not seem to make contact with the shooter.

[@BrentDeBraga]

#4 missed backcourt.

[@Adam-de8xe]

the free course gives me a error messgage.

[@darwinsanada8309]

BCV...Back Court Violation on white... No player control at the time timeout was called... BCV=dead ball... granting white coach a timeout.... Black inbounds 28' sideline...play on

[@michaelwray6764]

7:21 the wide official stripes do not look good at all, clownish.

[@jovannyortiz461]

Nahhhh play 1 he def fouled him😂😂

[@MaydayAggro]

Play 2: 1. The official blew the whistle before the player touched the basketball, so he obviously got the call wrong. 2. I think you are misapplying the rule. The player who left the court (A1) can't be the first to touch the ball when he returns to the court, but the passer (A2) was touching the ball and ending his dribble as A1 returned to the court. A2 released the pass after A1 had taken several steps on the court, so by definition A1 was not the first to touch the ball after returning to the court.

[@BrentDeBraga]

Bye bye coach