Joining the Fifth Region Basketball Officials Association is easy. Anybody with an interest in high school basketball and willingness to learn can become a basketball official. We'll teach you the basics and get you started. Where you take it from there is up to you.

Find out if you have what it takes to become a high school basketball official. You'll get as much out of the experience as you put into it. You must first be registered with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) To do so, please click Register Now for all the information needed to complete your registration.

For more information on joining our association or how to become a basketball referee, please click New Official Inquiry.

Become a Referee!!

How do I become a referee?

The KHSAA is ALWAYS looking for men and women who want to return something to their school and community by becoming a licensed athletic official. Candidates should be at least 18 years old, a high school graduate, in good physical condition, and able to make decisions on their feet and stick to them.

To become an official, you'll need to fill out an application, pay a licensing fee, and take an open-book rules test. Once you are licensed, you'll need to attend annual rules meeting that will introduce you to the latest rule changes and interpretations and become an active member of a local officials' association

If you would like to become a referee the first step that you should take is contacting the Kentucky High School Athletic Association(KHSAA). The KHSAA will guide you through the proper procedures to get you registered as an official. You will then be responsible to join your local basketball association who is responsible for conducting courses for beginning referees. The way the system operates for referee beginner courses varies from association to association.

It is recommended that referees be a minimum of 18 years old. However,there are youth leagues for referees from 14 years to 16 years of age – only using them in elementary school competitions.

Basically the following procedure is best to follow;

1. Establish which association you would intend to officiate with, once you have completed the registration process. (Usually this is the venue nearest to your home / work)

2. Make contact with the Assigning Secretary or president of the local association.

3. Inform the Assigning Secretary or president of the local association of your desire to take up officiating and they will be able to accommodate your request. Some associations conduct courses at set times during the year, others arrange for a school to be conducted when they have enough people who have registered an interest with them.

4. You generally meet one night a week for six to eight weeks (depending on associations) plus practical game experience.

5. On completion of the course the official will be considered a “trainee” or “apprentice” referee and will work with veteran officials for a number of games until evaluated.

All you need is a whistle, rule book and a readiness to learn!

Who governs basketball referees?

The Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA)

Who are the Officials Associations?

All referees much be registered with the KHSAA and join their local association. There are 16 local associations (Regions). Click "Local Associations" to go to a link for the Assigning Secretaries of each local association. They can direct you to the proper association president.

Who do I contact for more information?

Basketball is a great sport and whether you are a referee, player, coach or spectator, there is something in the game for you! Being involved in basketball officiating also brings the added incentive of being financially rewarded for your time and commitment! Refereeing is challenging but at whichever level you participate, you will find it rewarding!

For further information please contact us for help.

What Does it Take to Become a New Official?

New officials have a very difficult time taking in the massive amounts of information, deadlines, instruction, directions, training materials, new faces and many other things that will change their life on and off the court. You never realize the number of games there are in the Fifth Region, or Kentucky for that matter, until you begin officiating. Schools nestled in the middle of small neighborhoods and gymnasiums that are difficult to find because it’s dark outside. Which street entrance is the gym located? What do I need to take with me to work a game?

This covers some of the areas and situations that you will encounter as a new official. It takes a dedicated, responsible individual to become an official. Sure the money is nice, but before the dough rolls in, get yourself organized and prepared to satisfy a basketball schedule that could last about 10 weeks, but flies by very fast. Most Officials have a day job, a family, and its holiday time, which makes us all very busy.

Requirements of a new official are basically the same for all officials.

Below are a few of the attributes...

A good attitude
Attendance at meetings
Rules knowledge
A clean, well-fitting uniform
In good physical condition

There is much learning to be done to become a good official. Want to learn all you can and work games with the proper mechanics and technique --attitude is a good first step. Since we have two ears and one mouth, it’s best to listen when a veteran official critiques your work on the basketball court. It’s mandatory to attend all meetings and listen to the wealth of knowledge that your fellow members have experienced throughout their officiating careers.

You will receive rulebooks and manuals. Study these materials. All officials are required to complete a 100-question test before the season starts and pass it with an 80% efficiency. Keep your books with you as much as possible. Have extra five minuets or so? Get your rule book(s) out and skim through the sections. Something interesting is on every page!

Uniforms

Officials are required to wear a specific uniform. It must be neat, altered, and properly cared for at all times.

The following can be used as guidelines:

Black and white striped “v-neck” official’s shirt - start off with at least two or three shirts.
Black v-neck undershirt. Do not wear a shirt underneath that bears visible logos or designs. It looks tacky!
Black polyester dress slacks, not a cotton or cotton blend material (Dockers), not nylon warm-up pants. These should fit like a professional pair of dress slacks. Get them altered so they fit you well; measure the length with the shoes you will be working in.
Sansabelt type slacks (same as black polyester) work well, no belt is needed. If you do get slacks that have belt loops, a black belt with a small buckle is preferred. Belts should be ordered from an officiating supply house, and not come from your closet. Slacks should fit properly, and never be baggy or too tight. It is recommended that you not order slacks from a catalogue or magazine unless you know exactly what size you are. Retail stores (Sears, J.C. Penny, Robinson’s May) usually have Hagar, Sansabelt, or similar appropriate pants in stock so that you may try them on. You may need more than one pair since these pants are better maintained if you dry clean/press them. A pair in the cleaners, a pair in the closet.
Black “Bike” shorts or long black tights. These are the tight garments worn underneath your slacks so no one is surprised by anything. Also referred to as compression shorts.
Black basketball officiating shoes. Absolutely no “white” coloring, logos, or stripes of any sort. Only solid Black and well shined is acceptable.
Black socks. About six pairs will do.
A black whistle. A Fox 40 is the whistle of choice.
Black lanyard (or a “smitty lanyard”). A Smitty will hook onto your V-Neck officials shirt.
The official KHSAA Sahara jacket, with KHSAA logo. No Blue jackets. Honigs Officials Supplies carries the official jacket of the KHSAA.
Black official’s bag. Solid black without colored logos.

You should keep the following in your bag at all times:

Fresh towel for showering
Liquid soap or travel size soap bars
Back up whistle a lanyard
Rule Books
Your Schedule
A few pairs of black socks (back-up)
Shoe Shine Polish
Plastic Zip-Lock Baggies (to keep loose items together)
Pre-game conference notes

Your official’s bag should be fair sized with a few compartments to store odds and ends. Your bag should be personally inventoried prior to you leaving the house. The items above should not be taken out of your bag (except for the Towel) to ensure that you have everything that you need. Travel sizes of toiletries work well.

Why do I need all of these things? Because one is expected to arrive at the game site in nice, presentable “street clothes”. In the bag will be your uniform and showering items.

Preparation For The Season:

Haven’t seen the Doctor in awhile? Although it is not mandatory this may be a good time to do so. While you’re at it, why not get your eyes checked? Get yourself in good physical condition. Not when the season starts; it is too late then. Start now with running sprints and little one to two mile runs.

Prepare your family. New officials may work two or more nights a week. Tell your family (ahead of time) of your commitments. Invite them to watch, but do not expect to visit with them during the game.

Be professional to your assigners. Give them your closed dates, correct phone numbers, e-mail address, etc. Honor your assignments. During scrimmage week, dress in full regular uniform.

Prepare Yourself

Arrive early: At least: 45 minutes before game time for J.V. and lower level games, at least one hour for varsity contests.

Pack your bag with everything you will need. Pack your own bag, do not have your wife or girlfriend do it!

If you have been officiating recreational basketball leagues, put your brain and body in a different gear, you will have to step it up a couple notches. Read your rule book and mechanics manual.

Look forward to each game assignment. You are officiating the most important game that night.

Uniform Check List and Approximate Prices

Shoes -- $50.00-$75.00 (solid black)
Black Socks -- $5.00-$10.00 for six pairs
Slacks -- $40.00-$50.00 (Sansabelt, Hagar, or 100% polyester is recommended)
Belt (beltless pants are better)-- $5.00-$10.00 (if necessary -- black)
Compression Shorts -- $15.00-$22.00 each (one or two pair)
V-Neck Shirt -- $20.00-$30.00 each. (100% polyester)
Lanyard $5.00 -- (don’t forget a backup)
Fox 40 Whistle -- $5.00 each (don’t forget a backup)
Officials bag -- $40.00 (solid black)
Garment bag $30.00 and up (to carry uniform)
KHSAA Jacket $65.00 (with KHSAA logo)

Last thoughts:

Call your partner(s) two days before your game.
Call the school or look on the web site for directions.
Call the school to confirm that the game location/time has not changed.
Always be early. Never late. Arriving five minutes before game time is LATE!
Listen to the traffic reports on the radio on your way to the game.

Be proud of your job. Not many can do this you know!

Good Luck!

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