You're the Basketball Ref


Book Description

Do you think you know basketball? Do you think you know it well enough to take the court as an NBA or NCAA referee and accurately make the really tough calls? Well, here’s your chance to prove how much you really know about the history and rules of one of the world’s most popular sports. You’re the Basketball Ref, newly updated with a dozen fresh scenarios, is designed to inform, challenge, and entertain basketball fans. A brief introduction to the history of basketball is followed by an overview of NBA and NCAA matters. Topics range from situations that typically come up in games—traveling and shot clock violations, for example—to rules that are just a bit more unusual or, for the casual fan, more obscure. Then quiz yourself on what call you would make in each scenario! Many of the situations in You’re the Basketball Ref come from real games, but some scenarios are made up to illustrate specific points or rules. So don your stripes, grab your whistle, and take your position on the court. After all, you’re the ref!




Officiating Basketball


Book Description

From the opening tip to the last-second buzzer-beater, there's no letting up for the basketball referee. Before you step out on the hardwood, Officiating Basketball will help you ensure you're in the right place at the right time to make the right call. Based on officiating mechanics devised and endorsed by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), Officiating Basketball is the definitive guide for new and experienced high school referees. Included are guidelines for what's expected of you as a basketball official, officiating procedures and responsibilities, and pre- and postgame duties. More than 100 photos and illustrations of positioning, court movement, and signals support officiating mechanics for two- and three-person crews. Real-life cases demonstrate correct rulings, point out common officiating errors and how to avoid them, and challenge you to make the right call in game situations. A glossary of key basketball terms is also included. Officiating Basketball is not only a rules book--it's a practical resource for implementing correct mechanics as developed and approved by the NFHS.




Personal Foul


Book Description

Uncover the true story behind the Netflix documentary Untold: Operation Flagrant Foul. “The book the NBA doesn’t want you to read.” —Deadspin.com Tim Donaghy loved basketball. In many ways, his zest for the game came from his father, who officiated high school and college games for over 30 years. After graduating from Villanova, Donaghy was unsatisfied with his career until he followed his heart and became a basketball referee, first in the CBA and then the NBA, where he officiated for 13 seasons: 772 regular-season games and 20 playoff games. He loved his job, his family, his life. He felt like he had everything. And then, suddenly, he had nothing. He succumbed to a gambling addiction and to intimidation from well-connected criminals—and began using inside information to win bets for them. Following an FBI investigation, Donaghy pled guilty to two federal charges, and on August 15, 2007, he was sentenced to 15 months in prison. He was released on November 4, 2009, after serving his sentence. This is his story, which provides a stunningly candid admission of his mistakes, as well as his insider’s account of the world of professional basketball. With a foreword by Phil Scala, the FBI special agent who worked the Gambino case, Personal Foul reveals how the fast life of professional sports can tempt and trap the unwary and unwise. Donaghy has written an unforgettable page-turner, one of the most controversial sports books ever published. It will confirm your suspicions about the influence of the front offices of major league sports, while examining the corrosive power of money and fame. From the Introduction: I’m guilty. For 13 years I was a referee in the National Basketball Association, living a glamorous life on and off the court, rubbing elbows with superstar players and celebrity A-listers. I suppose many would say that I had it all—a great job, money, a wonderful family—but it was all an illusion. You see, during my last four years in the NBA, I led a secret life that would ultimately cost me everything: my integrity, my reputation, my career, my livelihood, my marriage, my family, and my freedom.




Basketball Referee 101


Book Description

There are many reasons to officiate basketball, but how do you do it? • Officiating is about the sport, but it is also about the journey. Sure you can do things that are easy in life, but what fun is that? Officiating is just plain hard to do, but the rewards you’ll receive are worth it! • In this book, you’ll learn what it takes to be an official and how to learn. You can take these tips and use them in any facet of life, but here you’ll learn the true secrets to becoming a great basketball referee. • What do you do with all that extra income from being a referee? Unfortunately it isn’t as easy as walking away with a check and taking it to the bank, but you can learn to manage your extra income and make it work for you! • If you want to learn the ins and outs of being a successful referee, start here! Having a mentor and bringing home an extra pay check aren’t the only things you need to know. Use these tips to help you start your journey to success. About The Expert Although he wouldn’t be comfortable with the term “expert,” Steven Michaluk is no slouch on the basketball court. With 6 years of on-court experience in high school and 2 years working college basketball, he has proved his worth and is continuing to climb. Steven currently works high school basketball in Virginia and NCAA women’s basketball. Although this book is about his passion in officiating, he has a few others he could write books about: enjoying time with his wife and dog at home, teaching 5th grade, and playing golf. HowExpert publishes quick 'how to' guides on all topics from A to Z by everyday experts.




The Whistleblower


Book Description

In this vivid portrait of one consummate professional at the top of his game, Katz pulls off an unbelievable feat in The Whistleblower--readers actually come to root for the ref.




1001 Basketball Trivia Questions


Book Description

Basketball has evolved to one of the most commonly played sports worldwide. Regardless of how well you think you know basketball, there’s bound to be questions in this book to challenge and entertain, to stimulate discussion, and to start and settle arguments. Featuring questions from the professional, collegiate, and women's games, this book covers it all—the players, the coaches, the arenas, the Olympics, and much more. Some of the questions the book answers include: &bull Why is uniform No. 6 retired by the Sacramento Kings? &bull Who holds the record for most points in Game 7 of the NBA Finals? &bull At what Big Ten school was baseball slugger Frank Howard also a basketball standout? &bull Where was the first NCAA Final Four in 1939? &bull Who was the MVP in the WNBA’s first season? &bull And 996 more! Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports—books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team. Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.







Smart Basketball Officiating


Book Description

Knowing the rules is the first step, now take the next with Smart Basketball Officiating. You'll learn tricks of the trade from legendary former UCLA coach John Wooden, NBA referee Tom Washington and collegiate great Jim Burr. This book's chapters give you: tips for successfully dealing with coaches and players. Insight from former NBA great Jack Madden, Referee Doing It columnist Brad Groninger, and veteran authors/officials Patrick Rosenow and Steven Ellinger. Practical advise from Washington on elevating your game through mentoring, insight from NBA referee Monty McCutchen to get you fired up about officiating, PLUS much more guidance about becoming a great official - way beyond just memorizing the rules.




The Basketball Maniac's Almanac


Book Description

Part reference, part trivia, part brain teaser, and absolutely the most unusual and thorough compendium of basketball stats and facts ever assembled! Did you know that Wilt Chamberlain and Wes Unseld are the only two players in basketball history to win both the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards in the same season? Or that Mark Jackson had more than 10,000 assists in his career, but is not in the Hall of Fame? How about that Kevin Love has the longest consecutive streak of double-doubles, with 53? Inspired by The Baseball Maniac’s Almanac—first created by legendary sportswriter Bert Randolph Sugar—The Basketball Maniac’s Almanac includes thousands of fascinating lists, tables, data, and stimulating facts never before compiled in one place! Inside, you’ll find all of the big name basketball heroes like Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, LeBron James, Rick Barry, Kevin Durant, Jerry West, Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, and a lot of information that will be new to even the most devoted fans: Hall of Famers drafted #1 overall Points leaders by state of birth Most blocked shots by players under six-feet tall Career leaders in four-points plays Oldest player selected to an All-Star Game Players with career Quadruple-Doubles Former ABA players leading the NBA in 3-pointers Most career technical fouls Fathers and sons both drafted in the first round Coaches winning Coach of the Year award and championship in the same season And so much more! Not just a collection of facts or records, this is a book of glorious fun that will astound even the most bookish basketball fan. Read up and amaze your friends, family, and anyone who loves the game of basketball!




You're the Umpire


Book Description

Do you think you have what it takes to be a Major League umpire? Well, now you can test your knowledge of the game with Wayne Stewart’s You’re the Umpire. Divided into three sections, this unusual handbook, now in its second edition, offers "Routine Calls," which deal with scenarios and rules that typically come up in games and deal with clear cut rules—fair and foul, strike zone questions, and the like. The next section, "Basic Situations," deals with umpiring matters and rules that are just a bit more unusual or, for the casual fan, obscure. Interference and obstruction calls, for example, don’t come up too often, but they remain standard stuff involving rules that umps and many fans know quite well. In the final section, "Obscure Rules and Situations," you will be presented with what many baseball people call “knotty” problems. Here, you will be asked questions involving the complex infield fly rule and other arcane matters. This section, then, is the ultimate test of your umpiring skills and knowledge. Most of the situations in You’re the Umpire come from real games, but some scenarios are made up to illustrate specific points or rules. Test yourself against your friends or against the famously iconic baseball rulebook. It’s a challenge and it’s fun. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Sports Publishing imprint, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in sports—books about baseball, pro football, college football, pro and college basketball, hockey, or soccer, we have a book about your sport or your team. Whether you are a New York Yankees fan or hail from Red Sox nation; whether you are a die-hard Green Bay Packers or Dallas Cowboys fan; whether you root for the Kentucky Wildcats, Louisville Cardinals, UCLA Bruins, or Kansas Jayhawks; whether you route for the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, or Los Angeles Kings; we have a book for you. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to publishing books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked by other publishers and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.