C.O.R Academy Officiating

Don't show up complaining! Do something about it!

Breaking News: I know some people absolutely won't believe this until they don't see me on the hardwood this weekend. I made an executive decision to take a weekend off.

I did have four games on Sunday, but it's hard for me to jump into the tournament on the last day with fresh legs when everyone else has put in the work, and then my privileged self just shows up for the prize.

I don't condone it in the regular season, and I won't be the guy who does it in my community. My brand is all about starting and finishing. That sounds odd, but I made a promise to respect the process.

Sarge

What Should “Official of the Year” Really Represent?
Cor Academy Staff, Cameron, Mary, and Henry.

Lately, there has been a lot of discussion about officiating awards and recognition—especially the question of what should qualify someone as an association’s Official of the Year.

After several honest conversations, one point became clear: this award should not be based only on who worked the highest-level varsity schedule or who advanced the farthest in the postseason.

Those accomplishments matter, but they should not be the entire standard.

A meaningful award should recognize the full circle of service, commitment, development and impact an official brings to the basketball community.

The Complete Body of Work

When evaluating an Official of the Year, we should ask:

Are they actively mentoring developing officials?

Are they involved in youth, recreational or community basketball?

Do they serve their association through committees, leadership roles or training?

Do they support fellow officials and contribute to retention?

Are they continuing their own education by attending camps, clinics and development opportunities?

Do they represent the association professionally on and off the court?

Are they dependable, accountable and respected by partners, assigners, coaches and players?

Being an instructor at a camp is valuable, but so is remaining a student of the game. The strongest officials continue to seek feedback, attend camps and invest in their own development regardless of their experience level.

High School Recognition Should Reflect High School Commitment

One of the more difficult parts of this discussion involved college officials who also work high school basketball.

There is no question that college officials can bring valuable experience, leadership and knowledge back into the high school game. Many are excellent officials and positive contributors to their associations.

However, when an award is specifically rooted in high school basketball, it is fair to ask whether it should primarily recognize an official whose consistent commitment is centered on the high school game.

That concern becomes stronger when college officials work a limited high school schedule but still receive postseason assignments, state opportunities or association recognition over officials who have spent the entire season serving the high school roster.

This is not about criticizing officials for advancing to the college level. Advancement should be celebrated. The issue is whether the high school system consistently rewards and empowers the officials who make high school basketball their primary commitment.

The Ecosystem Matters

Some college officials have been honest about the reality that relationships and evaluation networks often flow from the college level down into the high school system. That is not a hidden secret within the officiating community.

The perception becomes problematic when a college official, who did not receive a postseason assignment, returns to high school and takes a playoff or state position from a varsity official. This varsity official has worked throughout the entire high school season and may have earned the rank necessary for such opportunities.

That varsity official may have no interest in college basketball. They may simply be committed to becoming the best high school official possible.

Those officials deserve a legitimate pathway to recognition, advancement and championship assignments within their own level.

When officials believe the system does not support the people who consistently serve it, loyalty begins to weaken. They become less interested in committee work, mentoring, meetings and association involvement because they do not believe those contributions are valued.

That should concern every association.

Recognition Should Be Bigger Than the Final Assignment

Too often, awards become tied to where an official landed at the end of the season.

Did they receive a district final?

Did they work the state tournament?

Did they get the championship assignment?

Those are significant achievements, but an Official of the Year award should reflect more than one postseason result.

It should recognize the official who consistently strengthens the association.

That may be the person who worked a demanding varsity schedule, mentored new officials, attended training sessions, served on committees, supported youth basketball and continued developing through camps.

Respect is not earned simply by appearing for a handful of games, doing little within the association and then receiving a major assignment.

Respect is built through consistent investment.

A Better Standard

A respected Official of the Year should represent:

Performance. Service. Mentorship. Development. Leadership. Reliability. Community impact.

The award should tell the association:

This official did more than work games. This official made the officiating community stronger.

Awards matter because they communicate what an organization values.

When recognition reflects the complete body of work, it encourages officials to stay involved, mentor others, pursue development and remain committed to high school basketball.

That creates stronger officials, stronger associations and a healthier future for the game.

Recognition should not be based only on where you finished. It should reflect what you contributed along the way.

Always remember that regardless of how many State appearances or college games you have officiated, or how you have been validated socially in your ecosystem, you still need to show up and continue earning respect. Arriving with trophies in hand only demonstrates that you rely on past achievements. Most people aren't interested in hearing "Uncle Bob the official" tell his war stories; they are focused on executing in the game ahead.

C.O.R. Academy Officiating Brief

By: Cor Academy Officiating Staff

“Over the Back!” — A Common Call That Is Not Actually a Rule

Recently, during one of our client meetings, we reviewed several case plays involving rebounding action. One phrase continues to surface from parents, spectators and even experienced coaches:

“That’s over the back!”

Here is the key point: “Over the back” is not a specific foul listed in the NFHS Basketball Rules Book.

A taller player is permitted to reach over, jump higher than, or secure the ball above an opponent. Height, reach and superior jumping ability are not fouls. The official must judge the contact and its effect, not simply the position of the players.

Under NFHS rebounding principles, every player has the right to any position on the floor that is obtained legally. A player may not push, charge, hold or displace an opponent to obtain or maintain rebounding position.

What are officials actually judging?

When two players compete for a rebound, we should evaluate:

Did the player remain within a legal vertical plane?

Did the player use the hands, arms, hips, legs or body to displace the opponent?

Was the opponent pushed forward or knocked out of an established position?

Did illegal contact create an advantage?

Was the contact incidental and did it have no meaningful effect on the play?

A player reaching over an opponent without illegal contact is generally legal. However, when that player places a hand or forearm on the opponent’s back, climbs onto the opponent, or dislodges the opponent from a legal position, we now have a pushing foul—not an “over-the-back foul.”

Responding respectfully to a coach

When a coach asks about the play, avoid dismissive responses such as:

“There is no such thing as over the back.”

That statement may be technically grounded, but it does little to improve communication.

A stronger response would be:

“Coach, he reached over, but I did not have displacement or illegal contact.”

Or, when a foul is called:

“Coach, the foul was for the push in the back that displaced the rebounder.”

That language identifies exactly what the official judged. It is brief, professional and rules-based.

The officiating takeaway

Do not officiate the appearance of the play. A taller player reaching above a shorter player may look unfair from the bleachers, but our responsibility is to judge legality.

Reach is legal. Height is legal. Verticality is legal. Displacement is not.

See the contact. Judge its effect. Then confidently rule the play.

Execute the Standard.

recap.
-sarge

The stats tell you exactly how Showcase Sunday went down.

Every possession mattered! lived up to the hype.

Congratulations, teams.

The boys are coming ready to finish this off.

Congratulations to all the teams and safe travels.