How to Keep the Score Books for a Basketball Game

Basketball scorekeepers are responsible for keeping track of such things as lineups, fouls, points, rebounds, assists and other related statistics. Scorekeepers let coaches know how many timeouts their teams have left and often must keep monitor the arrow that indicates alternate possession. Depending on the level of play, basketball scorekeepers may need to forward the final results to media outlets.

Instructions

    • 1

      Record the lineups. When keeping a basketball score book, the first step is to list the players names and numbers into the score book. You will also need to check with the coaches to mark the starting lineups.

    • 2

      Track the scoring. When a player scores a basket, mark his points in the lines provided next to his name. Oftentimes, these lines are divided by quarter. If a player scores a two-point basket, mark a "2" next to his name. Follow the same process for 3-pointers. Also, free throws should be marked by small circles. For instance, if a player is shooting two free throws, make two circles, and fill them in if a free throw is made. If not, leave the circle blank.

    • 3

      Observe the referee's signals. Since you must also must keep track of a player's fouls when keeping a basketball score book, it is vital to pay attention to the call of game officials. They indicate the player who committed the foul by number and team. Mark the foul next to the player's name upon receiving the information from the referee. At the amateur levels, once a player has accumulated five fouls he is automatically disqualified -- and it is up to the scorekeeper to make the refs (and coaches) know when a player has fouled out.

    • 4

      Record timeouts. The basketball scorekeeper tracks each team's timeouts. Generally, teams are permitted between three to four timeouts per half. When a team calls a timeout, mark it in the score book as used. Once the team approaches the allotted number of timeouts allowed, let each coach know.

    • 5

      Tabulate the totals. Some scorekeepers must tabulate numbers related to rebounds, assists, steals and field-goals attempted as well as points scored. Add the scoring totals for each individual at game's end, then add individual totals to ensure that they match the scoreboard. Doing this at the end of each quarter will reduce the possibility of mistakes.