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REFEREES , SCORER ’S TABLE AND COMMISSIONERS

FIBA referee from 1958 to 1982 and anHonorary Member in 1976, ValentinLazarov became FIBA Commissioner in1983. A member of the FIBA TechnicalCommittee since 1976, he received theprestigious Radomir Shaper Award,which is given for outstanding contribu-tion to basketball rules and the game ofbasketball.

INTRODUCTIONIn the course of the last few years, wehave witnessed an exceptional progres-sion and growing popularity of basket-ball all over the world. Contemporary modern basketball is aspectacular and harmonious combina-tion of sheer speed, excellent athleticqualities, aggressive defenses, and bril-liant player techniques.It is quite natural and logical to affirmthat the development of the game isclosely connected with the developmentof officiating. Consequently, when onespeaks about "modern basketball," it isnecessary to mention the term "modernofficiating." Modern officiating meansthe birth of new and additional require-ments for the officials.My intention in this article is to updateand systematize the new demands andrequirements for game officials, sincethe referees are the people who areactively involved in the application of thelatest tendencies in the development ofthe game on the court.

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE PERFORMANCEOF THE OFFICIALSIn modern basketball, the level of theofficial's performance is a complex

function of numerous direct or indirectfactors. This could be illustrated with thefollowing pseudo-mathematical formula:Q = (A + B + C + D + E + F + G + H) x X x Y x Z.

Where:Q = Level or quality of performance of

the OfficialA = Physical fitnessB = Correct criteria for physical

contactsC = Knowledge of the psychology of

players, coaches, fans D = Knowledge of the rules and

interpretationsE = Knowledge of offensive

and defensive tacticsF = TeamworkG = Mechanics of OfficiatingH = Knowledge of the work of the table

officials X = Coefficient for talent and

personalityY = Coefficient for ambition, strong

will, and courageZ = Coefficient for personal chance

Of course, this formula is only an illus-tration and its aim is to show in whichareas and on which elements theefforts of young and ambitious refereesshould be concentrated in order toachieve perfection in their perform-ance on their way to becoming TOPOFFICIALS.

The formula could also be very useful forhighlighting the main topics in the agen-da for clinics for candidates for FIBA ref-erees.

by Valentin Lazarov

CONCEPTS OF MODERN OFFICIATING Part I

IMPORTANT REMARKIn the following material, I am presentingonly a brief summary for each factor,underlining only the major points. Thereason for that is that each factor repre-sents a separate lecture lasting between1 and 4 hours, including diagrams andexamples from practice.

A. PHYSICAL FITNESSThe referee must follow the action on the

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official cannot observe directly when afoul is committed, but they presume thatin similar situations fouls are nearlyalways committed, so they whistle theplay as a foul. Or, with today's players having excellenttechnique, a call by presumptiondeprives a talented player of a brilliantmaneuver and a legitimate play in thelast second. The position of the official far from the

action also has a psychological effect onthe reaction of players, coaches, andfans. A 100% correct decision that iscalled far away from the place of the foulor the out-of-bounds situation almostalways provokes undesirable reactions.

The dynamic action of the players andthe speed at which the ball can changehands requires constant concentrationby the officials during the whole game.

court as closely as possible and be in anoptimal position in order to make accuratejudgements. There is a high correlationbetween accuracy of calls and optimalposition of the official. This means that atop official must be as fast as-and in somesituations even faster-the players. Hemust be in top physical condition.Very often it's the insufficient mobility ofthe officials that is the reason for somecalls. Being far away from the action, the

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REFEREES , SCORER ’S TABLE AND COMMISSIONERS

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On the other hand, the capacity for anofficial to concentrate decreases sharplyonce he becomes physically fatigued.The same is also valid for the speed ofreaction of the referee, i.e. the speed ofhis motor behaviour.This process (showed in the diagrambelow), however, could be considerablyslowed down by some factors, of whichthe most important is physical fatigue.

Finally, it would be useful to underline thestimulating role of the pre-game warm-up (15 to 20 minutes), not only for main-taining the consistent physiological con-dition of the official throughout the com-petition, but also for reducing the fre-quency and severity of muscle injuries.

CONCLUSIONTop physical fitness is not theoretical inbasketball officiating, but an absolutenecessity. It was not as important in the

past when the game was less dynamicand aggressive. Nowadays, however, theofficials' top physical condition has afundamental influence on their perform-ance on the court.

B. CORRECT CRITERIA FOR PHYSICALCONTACTS

The dynamic and attractive magnetismof modern basketball does not allowofficials to interrupt the game too often,since for both participants and fans aninteresting game is an unbroken streamof spectacular actions. The popularityof the game and its charm stronglydepends on the official's criteria forpersonal contact.

Statistics affirm that in contemporarybasketball the number of physical con-tacts have doubled and even tripled insome instances. Almost every two tothree seconds of the game, we witness

one or more physical incidents of physi-cal contact between opponents.However, only 10% to 15% of them aresanctioned as personal fouls by the offi-cials. That means that the referee'sapproach to this selection must be ratherRealistic than Literal.The art and the style of the official deal-ing with the contact situations is gener-ally the most criticized area of the offici-ating process (around 80%). It is practically impossible to stop thegame at each personal contact since itwill kill the attractive character of thegame. Therefore, on the one hand wemust try as much as possible not to dis-turb the flow of the game and on theother we must follow strictly the rulesand keep constant control of the game,as we do not want basketball game tobecome similar to a rugby game.

All in all, a strict distinction should bedrawn betweenincidental con-tacts, which are aproduct of the nor-mal course of thegame, and con-tacts that degen-erate into person-

visualperception of an action

TRANSMISSION OF INFORMATIONTO BRAIN CENTRE

INPUT OUTPUTDECISION-MAKING ORSELECTIONBETWEEN MANYDECISIONS

TRANSMISSION TO CENTRALNERVOUS SYSTEM

COMMANDMUSCLES OF MOUTH AND ARMS

FINAL EFFECT:WHISTLE AND SIGNALISATION

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al fouls. What we understand by"Officiating in the spirit of the game" is toapply this quite difficult distinction suc-cessfully on the court.A lot in this area depends on the individualTALENT of the official and his correctFEELING for realistic approach. This alsois the boundary between the TOP andtheSTANDARD referee.

Principle of Advantage / DisadvantageOn the basis of all above-mentioned facts,the classic advantage / disadvantageprinciple was created. It advises the offi-cials to consider as personal fouls allphysical contacts which:▼ Give an advantage to the player who

committed them or to his team.▼ Cause a disadvantage for the oppo-

nent's player or team.

I always add this very important point:▼ Become systematic and risk leading to

an escalation of roughness or losing

control of the game.Trying to apply this principle on the court,the Officials must be aware it is fully legal-ized by FIBA Rules which state: "TheOfficials should not seek to interrupt theflow of the game unnecessarily in order topenalize personal contact that is inciden-tal and which does not give to the playerresponsible an advantage nor place hisopponent at a disadvantage..."

Areas of Application▼ Attractive combinations.▼ Direct drive towards the opponent's

basket.▼ Fast breaks.▼ Act of shooting.▼ Passing the ball.▼ Dribbling the ball.▼ Loss of balance near boundary or cen-

ter lines.▼ Fight for position on the floor.▼ Loose ball on the floor.▼ Screens.

CONCLUSIONKnowledge of the spirit of the advan-tage/disadvantage principle and themature and competent judgment of theOfficial in each individual contact situa-tion should be the KEY factor in decidingwhether the physical contact should orshould not be considered as a personalfoul (see the chart).

The final decision: "Foul or no foul" shouldbe based on the answers to four basicquestions:

1. What happened?2. Who is involved?3. Why did it happen or who was respon-

sible?4. WILL THIS AFFECT THE GAME?

The second part of the article will be published on the issue N. 24 - January/February 2007.

TALENT FEELING

FOR THE GAME

ADVANTAGE /DISADVANTAGE

PRINCIPLE

UNBROKEN

GAME FLOW

CONTANT

GAME CONTROL

balance

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