Our quick guides to the main jobs when filling a scorebench role are all here, in one easy to refer to place.
We know it can be somewhat intimidating to be asked to go on scorebench duty for a basketball game, and not be entirely sure of what to do – so we have made super-quick videos to run through the key points for three of the roles.
Scorer – this is done on the Glory League scorekeeper app, and is the “official” record of a game.
Game Timer and Scorekeeper – (for the scoreboard):
Keep Score Carefully: When a team scores, make sure you add the points to the right team on the scoreboard
Start/Stop the Clock: Pay close attention to the game clock
Every Whistle = stop the clock
Basket made in final two minutes (4th quarter and Overtime periods) = stop the clock
Restart the clock once the ball is touched on the court (after an inbound)
Free Throws = clock is stopped, and restarts once inbounded (on a made FT), or rebounded (on a missed Free Throw) – basically when the ball is “live” on court again
Watch the Fouls: Keep track of how many fouls each team has each quarter (Personal and Technical Fouls both count). This is important!
Use the Horn: If you need to get the referees’ attention (substitutions coming on after a whistle; to clarify if a basket was a two, or a three; what number player committed a foul; a team has called a time out – these are all common reasons). If you know the clock shouldn’t be running, keep it stopped, and keep blowing the horn until you have a referee’s attention
Possession Arrow: make sure you utilise this, to make sure the correct team gets the ball next (in a “tie-ball” situation, or to start the next period – including overtime!)
Track Timeouts: If the scoreboard has the option – display when teams are granted a timeout by the referee
This video runs through all of these responsibilities
This person will also help fill the role of spotter if necessary too
Shot-clock Operator– The basics of operating the shot-clock are as follows, and what it should be set to
24 Seconds:
Change of Possession – either a “live ball” turnover, or after a basket is scored (give the team a full 24 seconds once they catch the ball on the court – some shot clocks let you hold “reset” when an inbounder has the ball and let go once the ball is caught)
Inbounding after a foul in a team’s back court
14 Seconds:
When the ball hits the rim (whether above or below 14 seconds) and the offensive team regains possession (full 14 seconds once they actually get the ball)
Throw-in in the front court after a foul, or violation by the opponent (a “deadball turnover”)
Keep the clock as is:
Ball gets deflected out of bounds, but the original team with possession keeps it
A shot attempt does not hit the rim, and is rebounded
This video also covers the basics of operating the Shot-clock
Alternatively, this quick Cheat Sheet covers the Shot-clock
Spotter – the fourth person will be the “Spotter” – who helps the scorer with player numbers who score or foul – and checks that the Scoreboard and Scorekeeper app match (in terms of fouls and scores)
If there is a gap in terms of referee assignments on the game, and a bench referee is needed, the spotter role is left empty. Of course, if you would like to learn how to referee (or be assigned to games regularly) please contact richard@canterbury.basketball
