10/27/09

Interested in Becoming a High School Basketball Official?

 

Prospective new officials often have concerns and questions.  Below are some of the most Frequently Asked Questions we hear.  If you have further questions, please feel free to contact us.

What does it mean to be a member of District 11 Basketball Officials Association?

• To experience camaraderie with other officials

• To learn high school basketball rules  

• To be positive role models to the community

• To officiate basketball games at public and private middle schools and high schools .

I'm interested in officiating basketball. How do I join?
Typically, meetings start in late August and they continue until November and you can come there to join.  All meetings in 2008 will be held at Coastal Carolina University in Kearns Hall Rm 107 (building #11 on the map).  You can also join by completing a New Member Application and mailing that to us at the address below or emailing us. You will also have to have a physical exam completed by your physician. 

Common Document Downloads

• Become a State Member (state application)

• Become a District 11 Member

• Get a Physical from your MD

• Our Current Bylaws

• Statewide Directory & Constitution

Do I need prior experience as a basketball official?
Prior experience is recommended but is NOT required.  We conduct a thorough training program for new officials at no cost to you. It is often possible to get experience at the recreational level prior to joining.

What time commitment must I  make to officiate?
District 11 hosts preseason training meetings and regular membership meetings (1 per week during the preseason).  Generally speaking, the schedule for games is as such:

No one is required to work games every day. You can work as much or as little, depending on your desire and availability.  However, if you are a transfer official, you must make yourself available on the sub-varsity schedule once per week for at least your first three years in District 11.

How far do I have to travel?
    Typically in Horry, Williamsburg and Georgetown Counties, along the Grand Strand in northeast South Carolina.  However, you can travel as far as your mileage blocks allow, up to 75 miles or more during the regular season.
    
How do you join?
    a. New member dues are $45..Payable by October 15.  Dues are $33 if you have officiated another sport (thus paid NFOA dues).
    b. Complete SCBOA Application…due at meetings for new officials.  Returning officials must turn this in by March 31.
    c.  Local application and local dues ($30) are also due at the same time.
    d.  If you choose to not officiate on the varsity level, only local dues will be collected.
 
What kind of training do we offer?
    a. Combination of classroom and on-court
    b. Work with experienced officials
    c.  Mentor Program for first-year officials
 
What can you expect for the upcoming season?
    a. A lot of FUN…as much work as you want and your rating score allows!!
    b. Monday night training meetings from August through November
    c. Weeknight games offered November - February
         i. Not expected to work every night
        ii. Are expected to work at least once a week on the sub-varsity schedule
        iii. Are expected to travel to the areas outside the immediate Myrtle Beach area

How do you progress in the SCBOA and District 11?
Via a rating system.  Earn up to 100 points for
     1.  Rules & Mechanics Exam score (30 pts).  Statewide exam held in Columbia on the second Saturday in November.
     2.  Officials Peer Rating score (25 pts).  Ratings submitted on a 1 - 10 scale (then multiplied by 2.5).  Grades <7 are documented.
     3.  District meeting attendance--must attend minimum to receive all points. (15 pts)
     4.  SCBOA experience credit (25 pts).  4 points given for first 5 years; 2.5 points given for years 6 & 7.  Experience from other states must be documented by former state's athletic governing body.
     5.  Cooperation with District Director (5 pts)

 What are the costs involved?
    a. $45 for state dues… payable in August.  Local dues are $30 if also registering with the SCBOA
    b. Approx $100-$200 for equipment
 
What does it pay?  The Executive Committee of the SCHSL has approved the officials fees games set forth by the South Carolina Basketball Officials Association.  For the most part,  officials work two games at a time (girls/boys middle school, girls/boys JV, girls/boys varsity).  Occasionally there is only one game.

The South Carolina Basketball Officials Association, via the local district will book junior varsity and middle school games.  Travel allowance for each official will be $0.45/mile with a minimum of $9.00.  The South Carolina High School League office books all varsity games.

How do I get paid? At each game site you will be required to complete a document to submit to the administrator at that site.  Each school district processes those sheets and has a check made out to you or mails a check directly to you. 

Is my officiating income taxable? As an independent contractor, each official is responsible for the reporting of the income, typically on a Schedule C of their IRS tax return.  Most all of your expenses are also reportable/deductible and they will reduce the amount of actual income taxable by IRS.

Important dates to remember
    a. Meetings: each Monday at 6:30 at Coastal Carolina University in Kearns Hall Rm 107 (building #11 on the map) .  Bring applications and dues
    b. Business Meeting & Exam: November 7 at Lexington HS at 10:30am

How do I receive pre-season scrimmage assignments?
Prior to the beginning of the regular season there are typically pre-season scrimmages to which you are assigned. This is a great opportunity to practice officiating skills before the real games begin.

How do I receive game assignments? District 11 and the SCHSL and SCBOA use ArbiterSports.com (a scheduling website) as its scheduling mechanism for all subvarsity, varsity and middle school games.  ALL OFFICIALS must mark off any dates they will not be available receive a list of available games and be permitted to sign up for any of those that are available.  You will also receive periodic emails advising new opportunities as they become available.

If you are a new official to basketball or just moved to the area, we'd love to add you to our roster.  Please email the District Director to get more information and we'll have someone get in touch with you about joining District 11 Basketball Officials.