How to fill in the score sheet and work the clock | jump ball situations, alternating possession arrow

How to fill out the score sheet and work the clock

The club has prepared the following documents to make scoring easy to understand and less stressful:

Scoring made simple (pdf)

Timing made simple (pdf)

The official FIBA basketball rules and the Eastern Districts Junior Basketball Association (EDJBA) bylaws are also useful:

Official FIBA basketball rules (pdf)

EDJBA bylaws (pdf)

Requirements of scorers

The duty parent needs to arrive at the venue at least 10 minutes before the game start time in order to fill out the names on the score sheet. Keep in mind that the scorer from the other team will also want to do likewise. The referees will start the clock on time and an unprepared scorer could incur a late start penalty for their team. Scorers are acting as officials of the association and officials of the game, therefore barracking is not permitted. Scorers need to support the referees and not abuse them.

Filling in the names on the score sheet

The score sheet can be found on the score bench at the court that you are fixtured to play at. The scorer needs to bring with them a copy of the team sheet to fill in the singlet numbers and first and last names of the players. The full name(s) of the coach or coaches must also be filled in correctly in the space provided. Names of assistant coaches are not recorded. Remember to bring a pen as they are not supplied by venues.

Please note that the club is fined by the association for score sheet infringements when names are not entered correctly. Names must be entered in full with correct spelling. Initials and nicknames are not acceptable. Scoresheet fines often add up to in excess of $400 per season for the Ivanhoe Knights.

It doesn't matter what order you enter in the names for your team. Some people prefer to order by singlet number as that makes it easier to record fouls and points scored, whereas some prefer to enter the names in the order that they appear on the team sheet. It doesn't matter whether surnames are entered first or last, provided that you are consistent in the order you fill out the names for the one team on the one score sheet for that game.

Choose who will work the clock and who will fill in the score sheet

The two scorers should score as a team. Both scorers must oversee what the other is doing to ensure 100% agreement with both the clock and the scoresheet. If there is any concern or disagreement, sound the siren upon the next referees' whistle to seek clarification. Scorers need to remain on the bench at half time and after the game to assist referees in checking the score sheet.

Collecting and handling money and paying the venue manager

Collect the game fee - currently set at $5.80 - from each player/their parent or guardian. Some teams might prefer to collect $6.00 each instead and put the extra money towards a present for the coach at the end of the season.

Scoring the game and collecting the game fee can be hard for first time scorers. Team Managers might like to consider organising another helper to assist in collecting game fees in some circumstances for teams with many rookie scorers.

Each team's game fee money should be kept separate from each other and counted separately by the venue manager.

At half time the venue manager will count the money. When the venue manager is satisfied that the amount for each team is correct, only then will they collect the money.

Can players who arrive after half time still play?

Yes. A player is allowed to play at any stage of the game as long as their name is on the score sheet before half time. If their name is crossed out at or after half time, it can be re-entered when they arrive and they pay their game fee when they arrive. Players do not have to be paid for before half time to be eligible to play. If names of players who have not arrived by half time are not crossed off at half time, they will instead be marked with '--->' and crossed off at the end of the game if they didn't turn up.

During finals all players listed on the sheet are eligible to play, regardless of when they turn up, as the sheet is paid for before the game and the cost is independent of how many players there are.

The alternating possession arrow, jump balls and jump ball situations (disputed possession)

Each game starts with a 'jump ball' which is the first and only jump ball of the game. At the start of the game the possession arrow is to be pointed straight up in the air. Once a team has possession the arrow is to be pointed in the opposite direction to that team's attacking goal. This is to show that the other team is to have the next disputed possession whenever a 'jump ball situation' arises. Thereafter the possession arrow is used to indicate which team's turn it is to take possession at a throw-in for all future jump ball situations during the game.

Referees signal a jump ball situation by blowing the whistle and raising thumbs up on both hands. They then look over at the score bench to see in which direction the arrow is pointing and award a throw-in to that team. Once play resumes, (that is once the ball touches a player on court) the scorers must then reposition the arrow to point in the other direction. In the last three minutes of the second half, the clock stops for jump ball situations. At half time, the arrow needs to change direction as the teams swap ends.

A common cause for a jump ball situation is when players from opposite teams both have a firm grip on the ball and are trying to gain possession. A less common cause is when a shot is taken and the ball becomes wedged between the backboard and the ring. These are known as jump ball situations because before the introduction of the alternating possession arrow, the referees would institute a jump ball whenever the ball was in dispute, just like for the start of the game. Note that some people colloquially refer to a jump ball situation as simply a jump ball.

Marking technical fouls

To record a technical foul for a Coach or a Bench technical foul, write the word "Coach" or "Bench" in the players name column and write the letter "C" or "B" in the team fouls column.

For unsportsmanlike fouls from players on court, mark "U" over the sequential foul number in the personal fouls column. For technical fouls from a player on court, the coach or the bench, mark "T" over the sequential foul number in the appropriate personal fouls column.

Correct recording of technical fouls is important as on the 2nd tech. foul made by a coach, that coach must leave the stadium. On the 3rd accumulated tech foul from the bench, e.g. 1 coach and 2 persons other than the coach, the coach must leave the stadium. Correct recording will also be of assistance if there is a player or coach reported.

Free throws table: how to record free throws (foul shots)

Referee hand signals - these have been taken from the FIBA rules. The following are only those most relevant to the score bench, but others are important too.