Basketball Rules – Officials & Their Duties

THE OFFICIATING STAFF 

The makeup of the officiating corps is strictly a matter of choice. The minimum number
is five: a referee, an umpire, a scorer, a timer and a shot-clock operator. In some cases, eight
officials are used in a lineup comprising a referee, two umpires, a shot-clock operator, two
scorers and two timers. Years ago, when there was a center jump after each field goal or free
throw; two officials did it all-the referee on the court and one combined scorer-timer on the
sidelines. 

REFEREE IS OFFICIAL IN CHARGE

 Although the duties of the officials may not concern spectators or players, you should
know that the referee controls the game. The referee is the official who tosses the ball up for the
center jump at the start of the game and each overtime period. The referee’s assigned chores
range from inspecting and approving all equipment before the game’s starting time to approving
the final score. In between, the referee is responsible for the notification of each team three
minutes before each half is to begin and deciding matters of disagreement among the officials.
The referee has the power to make decisions on any points not specifically covered in the rules
and even to forfeit the game if necessary.

OFFICIALS CONDUCT GAME

During actual play, there is no practical difference between the referee and umpire(s).
They are equally responsible for the conduct of the game; and, because of the speed of play, their
duties are dictated essentially by their respective positions on the court from moment to moment.
For this reason, the rules specify that no official has the authority to question decisions made by
another official.

The officials’ control, which begins 30 minutes before starting time for men and 15
minutes for women and concludes with the referee’s approval of the final score, includes the
power to eject from the court any player, coach or team follower who is guilty of flagrant
unsporting conduct. When the referee leaves the confines of the playing area at the end of the
game, the score is final and may not be changed.

As we pointed out earlier, jump balls occur only at the start of the game and all
overtimes; but officials still must concentrate upon throwing the ball up straight. At other times,
play will be resumed with a throw-in. The team not obtaining the ball after the first center jump
will begin the alternating process.
OFFICIALS’ SIGNALS

When a foul occurs, the official is required by the rules to (a) signal the timer to stop the
clock, (b) designate the offender to the scorer and © use his or her fingers to indicate the number
of free throws.

When a team is entitled to a throw-in, an official must (a) signal what caused the ball to
become dead, (b) indicate the throw-in spot (except after a goal) and © designate the team
entitled to the throw-in.

DUTIES OF SCORERS AND TIMERS

Scorers must (a) record, in numerical order, names and numbers of all players, (b) record
field goals made and free throws made and missed, © keep a running summary of points scored,
(d) record fouls called on each player and notify officials when a player-disqualification or
bonus-free-throw situation arises, (e) record timeouts and report when a team’ s allotted number
has been used, and (f) record when a squad member has been ejected for fighting.

It is the game-clock and shot-clock operators’ responsibility to keep everyone abreast of

key factors while carrying out the timing regulations.
 VOLLEYBALL

THE SERVE

( A ) Server must serve from behind the restraining line ( end line ) until after contact.

( B ) Ball may be served underhand or overhand.

( C ) Ball must be clearly visible to opponents before serve.

( D ) Served ball may graze the net and drop to the other side for point.

( E ) First game serve is determined by a volley, each subsequent game shall be served by the
previous game loser.

( F ) Serve must be returned by a bump only. no setting or attacking a serve.

SCORING

1. Rally scoring will be used.

2. There will be a point scored on every score of the ball.
3. Offense will score on a defense miss or out of bounds hit.
4. Defense will score on an offensive miss, out of bounds hit, or serve into the net.
5. Game will be played to 25 pts.
6. Must win by 2 points.

ROTATION

( A ) Team will rotate each time they win the serve.

( B ) Players shall rotate in a clockwise manner.

( C ) There shall be 4-6 players on each side.

PLAYING THE GAME ( VOLLEY )

( A ) Maximum of three hits per side.

( B ) Player may not hit the ball twice in succession ( A block is not considered a hit ).

( C ) Ball may be played off the net during a volley and on serve.

( D ) A ball touching a boundary line is good.

( E ) A legal hit is contact with the ball by a player body above and including the waist which
does not allow the ball to visibly come to a rest.
( F ) If two or more players contact the ball simultaneously, it is considered one play and the
players involved may not participate in the next play.

( G ) A player must not block or attack a serve.

( H ) Switching positions will be allowed only between front line players. (After the serve only ).

BASIC VIOLATIONS

( A ) Stepping on or over the line on a serve.

( B ) Failure to serve the ball over the net successfully.

( C ) Hitting the ball illegally ( Carrying, Palming, Throwing, etc. ).

( D ) Touches of the net with any part of the body while the ball is in play. If the ball is driven
into the net with such force that it causes the net to contact an opposing player, no foul will be
called, and the ball shall continue to be in play.

( E ) Reaching over the net, except under these conditions:

1 - When executing a follow-through.

2 - When blocking a ball which is in the opponents court but is being returned ( the blocker must
not contact the ball until after the opponent who is attempting to return the ball makes contact).
Except to block the third play.

( F ) Reaches under the net ( if it interferes with the ball or opposing player ).

( G ) Failure to serve in the correct order.

( H ) Blocks or spikes from a position which is clearly not behind the 10-foot line while in a back
row position.

THE COURT

PLAYING AREA

Both indoor and outdoor courts are 18 m x 9mi (29'6" x 59').

Indoor courts also include an attack area designated by
a line 3 m (9'10") back from the center line.

Lines on the court are 5cm (2" wide).

NET HEIGHT
Net height for men, co-ed mixed 6, & outdoor is 2.43 meters or 7'11-5/8".
Net height for women, 7'4-1/8".

The height of the net shall be 8'.

BALL

The ball weighs between 9 and 10 ounces. Ball pressure is between 4.5 and 6.0 pounds

Officiating Volleyball
A coaches guide to refereeing

Officiating volleyball guidelines to success. 

Referee Tips for Better Officiating

1. Spotlight is on the teams, not the officiating. Allow the game to progress as smoothly
as possible. Your primary job is to
have the match go as smoothly as
possible with little interference from officials.

2. Strive for consistency. Never "even up" when you have made a mistake. If you make a
mistake, let it go and continue to do the best you can. Don't let complaints bother you or
break your concentration. Some of the best matches will bring you the most complaints.

3. Be friendly and courteous, but also firm. Don't let players, coaches, and the crowd
influence your decisions. Listen to any reasonable inquiry, but don't allow constant
questioning about your calls.

4. Review rules and situations which tend to cause controversy. Read the rulebook, ask a
clinician, or anyone that you feel can give you the needed answer. Rules that commonly
cause problems are time-out for injury, simultaneous contact by opponents, illegal
improper requests for subs, libero player situations, and back court attacker/blocker rules.

5. The officiating crew should be officiating volleyball as a team. Work together with

your other officials. Cooperate as closely as possible. Give each other active support.
6. Be serious but have fun. You owe it to respect the game. Every match is important to
the teams playing. Get in the right frame of mind and focus on the match you are about to
officiate.

7. Know the rules. Read the book and use it as a reference. The referee is the final judge on
everything, even scorekeeping issues.

8. Referees should NOT be a part of the match. Your job as a referee is to watch and
judge, do not coach. Be consistent.

9. Use preventive officiating whenever possible. Examples are jewelry, water on the

court, etc.

10. Have consistent judgment. What is a catch/throw or double hit? It all depends on the
level of play of the teams. Allow play on both sides of the net and call what is different.
 SEPAK TAKRAW
The name is a marriage of the Malay word “Sepak” (literally meaning “kick” or “smash”)
and the Thai word “Takraw” (the original rattan ball used in the sport).  Played on a rectangular
court which is of similar size to a badminton court and with a net suspended in the middle, the
fundamental rules are simple, with the objective being to deliver the ball over the net into your
opponents’ court, and try to make it un-returnable.  Players may use any part of their legs, head
and torso to handle the ball, but not their arms or hands.

Playing Format & Scoring

There are several forms of the game, but the most popular is theRegu format, where
opposing teams of 5 players (3 on-court with 2 substitutes) line up against each other.  The on-
court players comprise a Striker, a Server, and a Feeder, each having distinct tactical roles to
play during a match, and therefore possessing different playing skillsets.

The new ISTAF tournaments employ the Regu format, where teams play Matches
comprising 3 Sets each, with the winner of a Match being the first of the two opposing teams to
win 2 Sets.  Each Set is played over 21 points. In the event of a score of 20-20, the set shall be
won by the side which gets a lead of two (2) points, or when a side reaches twenty-five (25)
points, whichever occurs first.

Ball-Service

Service of the ball has, by far, been the primary determining factor in the fate of many
Sepaktakraw matches.  Many different ball-service styles have evolved in the last 15-20 years,
and the renowned Horse-Kick serve, originally developed by the Thais, is today universally
acknowledged to be the most difficult to execute, as well as the deadliest, of them all.

Service-Over

So that the new ISTAF tournaments effectively showcase the many unique aspects of
Sepaktakraw, and to maintain a level playing field where matches are not dominated solely by
ball-service, teams take turns serving the ball, and a ‘service-over’ occurs after every 3
consecutive points scored regardless of the team which wins the points.  After every 3
consecutive points, therefore, ball-service changes to the opposing team for the subsequent 3
consecutive points.  This service-over process carries on until a team obtains 21 points (or 25
points in the case of a deuce) and the winner of the Set is determined.

Ball-Return

Following service of the ball, the opposing team has up to 3 ‘touches’ of the ball to return
it across the net.  Typically, the Feeder and Server will receive, and attempt to set up the ball,
using 2 ‘touches’, for it to be smashed by the Striker with the third ‘touch’.
Spikes & Smashes

Not unlike Sepaktakraw ball-service, several styles of smashes or ‘spikes’ have also been
developed over time. For instance, localised variants of the jaw-dropping Sunback Spike have
been very successfully employed by different teams from around the world, with the spiked ball
travelling towards the opponent at speeds in excess of 120 km/h.  A team scores a point when the
opposing team fails to return the ball across the net within the 3 ‘touches’ rule, or the ball is
returned across the net but lands outside of the court.

Substitution & Tactical Time-out

During each Set, each team may make one player substitution, and may call for a 60-
second Tactical Time-Out.
 CENTRAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY COLLEGES
Paniqui, Tarlac

RESEARCH PAPER IN
SPORTS MANAGEMENT

Submitted by:
ROMULO E. GALANG JR.

Submitted to:
PROF. ROSAURO C. TABIAN