How to Become a Professional Referee in Basketball

The quality of a basketball game depends as much on the abilities of the referee as it does on the athleticism of the players. The National Basketball Association recruits referees to officiate at professional league basketball games. To become a professional referee, you need a thorough knowledge of the rules of the game. This does not come from merely reading a rulebook and passing an exam but from hands-on experience at different levels of the game. A professional referee also needs to have the emotional intelligence to stay calm in highly charged situations and take criticism from players on the field.

Instructions

    • 1

      Keep yourself physically fit with regular exercise. Basketball referees need to be constantly running during the game, and poor physical condition often detracts from your ability to referee games.

    • 2

      Read and learn the rules of the game from a rulebook. Although you may have played the game or watched enough matches to believe you know it all, it helps to be thorough with what the rules say. This helps you comprehend the finer points and ensures you are well-informed to deal with a variety of situations during the game.

    • 3

      Attend local high school games and speak to the referees who officiate these games. Ask for information about joining a local youth basketball association to gain experience refereeing games.

    • 4

      Get experience officiating at local youth basketball association games. Develop your powers of observation, and hone your ability to make the right calls. Observe how senior referees make decisions and ask them for guidance on making close calls and how to avoid errors during your work as a referee.

    • 5

      Get information about your state’s governing body for athletics. Find out the requirements you need to fulfill to register with this body. Although specific requirements vary between states, the minimum requirements include passing a basketball official examination approved by the state association such as the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials. Take and clear this exam and complete the formalities to register as a basketball referee.

    • 6

      Prepare a resume highlighting your qualifications and previous experience as a referee. Apply to local college basketball programs and get experience officiating at junior college games. As you gain in experience, move to higher level college programs to increase you chances of being spotted by the NBA.