In basketball, an official (usually called a referee) enforces the rules and maintains order in the game. The title of official also applies to the scorers and timekeepers, and other personnel that have an active task in maintaining the game. Basketball is regarded as among the most difficult sports to officiate due to the speed of play, complexity of rules, the case-specific interpretations of rules, and the instantaneous decision required.
There is one head referee and one or two umpires, depending on whether there is a two- or three-person crew. In the NBA, the head official is called the crew chief with one referee and one umpire. In FIBA-sanctioned play, two-person crews consist of a crew chief and an umpire, and three-person crews contain a crew chief and two umpires.
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Basketball.png
A typical "M1-LF league" basketball with a rubber-type outer surface.
Basketball Clipart.svg
Basketball SVG
Basketball Referee during WNBA game.jpg
Basketball Referee watches players closely during the WNBA finals
Basketball official.jpg
Men's basketball official - NMU Wildcats Mens Basketball vs LSSU Lakers - Berry Events Center - Febr...
Basketball official positions.svg
The relative positions of basketball officials in "three-person" mechanics (not to scale). The lead ...
Technical foul.jpg
The officials and both teams on the court look on as a fouled player attempts a free throw.
Tom Washington, Monty McCutchen, Brent Barnaky on March 30, 2011.jpg
Wizards v/s Heat 03/30/11