Getting started refereeing with Portland Basketball

Welcome and thank you- for your interest in refereeing . We currently have TWO TYPES OF REFEREEING that we do; both types of officiating have very different demands/requirements with different pay structure

1. YOUTH REFEREEING - youth games resemble more of 'REAL' basketball officiating. Youth referees are required to have full uniform, have strong mechanics, maintain focus throughout the game, hustle, and communicate with players and coaches. See Youth League Pay Structure -tab for information on pay amounts per game.

2. ADULT LEAGUE REFEREEING- adult refs- need the same 'basics' as youth referees (see above) but adult referees need to be much more controlling and strict in their games. ADULT basketball is more about people management- explaining calls- building trust & in doing so- controlling all situations- some referees are natural with adult basketball and not so good with youth basketball, while other referees are more natural with youth/real basketball and not so natural in adult basketball. Also note- many of our Adult league refs play in (or played in) the league and are familiar with the level of control and communication needed to handle the adult league games. From playing in the league- these referees know how to engage and how to control games (this is not to say that if you have not played in this league- you cannot referee in it- many referees can do great at adult basketball without having played in this league... but some referees from 'real' basketball - youth/school/high school type basketball - do not adjust to adult ball well because with 'real' youth- type basketball, you show up as a professional- see a play- make good calls and go home- whereas in the ADULT game you have to be much more engaged from start to finish... you kind of have to 'care' about adult league, you are 'into' the adult league). Most referees are either 'into' real/youth basketball or 'into' adult basketball and only a smaller percentage of officials do both types of refereeing equally well, so we separate referees by YOUTH and ADULT as seen in the next 2 tabs...

GET STARTED - by attending a meeting with us. We get you on the court fairly immediately to see how it feels for you. Some referees are already certified (in a referees association) and so you are ready to hit the court and be paid now (pay rates on next 2 tabs- so lets get started). Some referees are not certified (not in an association/not in a referee association; there are 4 referee associations to choose from in Portland area- call for info) but we can get you out there to try it out as long as you commit to join one as soon as possible/reasonable. As for how to get paid, we need 2 forms from you- so perhaps download these top 2 forms below (& fill them out) & bring them to the NEXT ORIENTATION MEETING: TBA

• Direct Deposit Authorization Form
• Independant Contractor Sports Official W-9 Form
• Game Sheet
• Instructions: how to referee single-referee 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th grades for YMCA

Youth Games

We provide referees to a wide variety of youth programs.  There are 32 busy weekends per year with many youth games for Portlandbasketball.com referees.  In addition to games played at the Beaverton Hoop YMCA, there are opportunities to ref at schools and communities all around the Portland-Metro and Vancouver-Metro areas.  The following are busy youth weekends when many of our referees are called into service:

Saturday June 27th

Sunday June 28th

Saturday July 11th

Sunday July 12th

Saturday July 18th

Sunday July 19th

Saturday July 25th

Sunday July 26th

Saturday August 1^st

Sunday August 2^nd

Saturday September 19^th

Sunday September 20^th

Saturday September 26^th

Sunday September 27^th

Saturday October 3^rd

Sunday October 4^th

Saturday October 10^th

Sunday October 11^th

Saturday October 24^th

Sunday October 25^th

Saturday October 31^st

Sunday November 1^st

Saturday November 7^th

Sunday November 8^th

Saturday November 14^th

Sunday November 15^th

Saturday November 21^st

Sunday November 22^nd

Saturday November 28^th

Sunday November 29^th

Saturday December 5^th

Sunday December 6^th

2016

Saturday January 9^th

Sunday January 10^th

Saturday January 16^th

Sunday January 17^th

Saturday January 22^nd

Sunday January 23^rd

Saturday January 29^th

Sunday January 30^th

Saturday February 6^th

Sunday February 7^th

Saturday April 2^nd  

Sunday April 3^rd

Saturday April 9^th

Sunday April 10^th

Saturday April 16^th

Sunday April 17^th

Saturday April 23^rd

Sunday April 24^th

Saturday April 30^th

Sunday May 1^st

Saturday May 7^th

Sunday Mat 8^th

Saturday May 14^th

Sunday May 15^th

Why do I need to agree to a Background Check?

The YMCA does not allow refs who have been convicted of crimes against children or violent crimes to officiate any of their youth games.  Your full name and birth date must be provided to the league office for the background check.

Why do I need to send an invoice?

As a referee you are an independent contractor.  In order to maintain this status, you must periodically send invoices to the Portland Basketball office.  Invoicing also assures you that you are getting properly compensated for the games that you work.

How do I send an invoice?

All invoices must include the following elements.  The word “invoice,” the date you are writing it, the days of games you officiated/gym locations/number of games and the total amount of money you are owed for the above games.  Invoices must be texted or emailed to the Portland Basketball office or assigning line.

What happens when I have to officiate a coach or a player that I know really well?

Keep your distance from that person from the beginning of the game until after the post-game.  Be a ref, not a person.  Do not address your friend by their name, instead use “coach” or “number 23.”  Do not give too much eye contact to the person you know, keep physical space between you.  Before and after the game, avoid being personal.  Extremely friendly greetings between referees and game participants can be construed very negatively by spectators or members of the other team.

How does scheduling work?

The assigner posts the schedule online a week in advance and texts all referees asking them to accept the shifts that they are being offered with a “Got Mon” (or Tues, or Weds etc.) type text.
The assignor then send a second text to referees who are NOT on the schedule, and has them text back with "Want Mon" or “Want Wed” to create a backup list. Referees who decline their games are then replaced by referees on the backup list. Please reply to any text from the assigning line within an hour or two.  If the assignor doesn’t hear from you, you will be replaced.

How do I alert the scheduler of my availability?

The more you communicate with the schedulers the better.  Communicate your weekly availability with the assigning line at the beginning of every week.   Referees are always welcome to ask if there are available games on a particular night. The more seniority you have among our pool of referees, the more games you will get scheduled for.

Do I have to call Technical Fouls?

Technical fouls must be called to keep games in control.  Many referees are giving out multiple warnings without giving technical fouls.  By doing this they are giving a slightly belligerent player tacit permission to continue and in the fourth quarter games end up in a dangerous and volatile state.  Warnings and technical should be used to curb demeaning behavior before it becomes detrimental to the game.

The game I am officiating is a blowout, can I end it early?

No you may not end any game early.  Players pay for 50 minutes of game time and it is unethical to deny them of that.  The last few minutes of the game provide valuable exercise for all players and an opportunity for some players to score who may not have had the chance during the rest of the game. 

What are the busiest days?  When are there the most games available?

Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays have the adult leagues with the most teams, so naturally they have the most games to referee.  On youth weekends, Saturdays and Sundays have a ton of games available to referee.  Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays are traditionally the days with the least amount of games.

When are the best days to play basketball in our league?

Referees are heartily encouraged to play in our leagues.  If you don’t want to give up your referee shifts, the best days to play are days are Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.  Many referees also take advantage of the flexibility of our single game Pick to Play program.

What is the difference between officiating the adult leagues and other types of basketball games?

Refereeing in the adult leagues requires an ability to communicate so directly and so quickly and especially so accurately, that it generally takes time to learn, even with experienced refs.  Even the most skilled referees have to adjust to being proactive, verbal, and managing egos and attitudes of players in the adult leagues.

Why do I have to get certified by an official’s association?

Being a member of a certified official's association is a precondition of refereeing at any level.  The necessity of being certified is an underlying condition of being an independent contractor and refereeing youth and adult basketball through Portlandbasketball.com.  Being certified is a legal necessity for all referees.

When do we get paid?

Pay is weekly and gets processed on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.  It will show up in your account on Thursdays or Fridays. The office will provide you with a link to access all of your weekly pay stubs.

Where do my partner and I stand after a heated game?

If your game had controversy and there are potential hot-heads milling about, you and your partner must go to center court for two minutes.  Make sure there is a space cushion around you two.  This allows a hothead to cool themselves off for five or six steps if they try to approach you.  Do not go to the scorer’s table or your duffel.  Go to center court and wait out the bad vibes.

If I decline a shift, will the schedulers hold it against me?

If you can’t do a shift that is completely allowed.  Simply respond quickly and decline the games you are offered.  This gives the schedulers as much time as possible to replace you.  If you decline a shift as soon as it is offered, there is no problem.  If  you do not respond to an offered shift and have to be chased down for your answer, or you accept a shift and then try to cancel last minute it will not be tolerated.

What do I do if a player hits the floor and leaves a wet spot?  What if there is a problem with the score/scoreboard?

Stop the game clock and wipe the water/sweat/condensation/gatorade off of the floor.  Do not continue a game if there is water or sweat on the floor.  It is dangerous and a potential lawsuit for the league waiting to happen.  If there is a problem with the score or scoreboard, stop the clock and slowly and calmly resolve the issue.  It is important for referees to remain in complete control of the game, to be willing to stop the clock and patiently resolve issues correctly.

What are the rule differences for the Intel League?

Intel league teams get 3 timeouts per game.  The clock stops during timeouts.  If the game is within 10 points when he two minute mark of the second half hits, it is stop clock.  Once one team is up by 11 or more points, the clock runs again.  Intel teams may wear non-matching shirts under their jerseys, because they are a part of a special league.

What are the rules for the Nike League?

There are two 20 minute running clock halves.  Each teams gets two timeouts per half, the clock stops during timeouts.  Players get 5 personal fouls each.  If the game is within 10 points in the final two minutes it is stop clock.

I am scheduled for a youth game but it got cancelled, do I still get paid?

In the logistics of youth game scheduling, sometimes referees find themselves on a court where a game does not take place.  If it is your last scheduled game for the day, you simply go home and do not get paid.  If the game is in the middle of your shift, you get $10 and have the hour off.  The same holds for Adult ball..

What kind of whistle do I need?

A Fox 40 whistle is required for all games.  These can be purchased at Big 5, Dicks or Bashors Team Athletic Store.  Amazon.com also carries Fox 40 whistles.

What do I wear to referee adult league games?

In addition to a black and white striped referee shirt, adult league officials are required to wear completely black shoes, black socks, and black shorts or slacks.

What do I wear to referee youth league games?

In addition to a black and white striped referee shirt, youth league officials are required to wear completely black shoes and black slacks.  Sweatpants/warm-up pants are not permitted.  Polyester or other light weight pants work best and can be purchased at any major department stores (Macy’s, JC Penny, etc).  Some officials prefer to buy Nike Golf or Nike Tiger Woods black slacks.

How do I open Hillside Community Center?

Use the key to unlock the twisty lock on the front door and let yourself in the building.  Enter the four digit security code on the alarm pad and then press off.  Open the office, grab the screwdriver and un-pop the front doors so that they will open from the outside.  Set up a table for the scoreboard and ten chairs along the opposite sideline for spectators.  Open the back supply room and get the scoreboard and time clock.  Then mop the gym.

How do I close Hillside Community Center?

Put the scoreboard and time clock back in the back supply room and lock it.  Make sure the bathroom is clean.  Open the office and turn off all of the lights and use the screwdriver to pop the two front doors (you will still be able to get out).  Use the key to lock the twisty lock on the front doors.  IF THERE IS A CUSTODIAN IN THE BUILDING, you do not need to set the alarm.  If you don’t see a custodian in the building (keep in mind they are often downstairs) and you don’t see a car other than yours in the parking lot, enter the four digit alarm code and press away.  If it says armed and gives you a countdown, leave because you have set it correctly.

Today is 15 degrees hotter than yesterday, will my adult league games play any differently?

Whenever temperature goes up 15 degrees randomly like today, people’s brains haven’t adjusted and they get stuffy and grumpy. Be on it tonight with foul calls.  Before the game, be strict with uniforms and immediately look to call for reaches, fouls and warnings.  Be strong early because increased temperatures outside increase trouble on the court.