RTS MATCH REPORTER GUIDELINES

BASKETBALL

1) PRE‐MATCH

2) START & STOP

3) BALL POSSESSION

4) POINTS

5) FOULS

6) FREE‐THROWS

7) TIME‐OUTS AND OTHER EVENTS OF IMPORTANCE

8) STATUS UNSURE

9) LOST COMMUNICATION
 1) PRE‐MATCH
You should double check the time and venue of the game
on official websites and local newspapers the previous
evening and once again in the morning on game day. Also
make sure you have two mobile phones fully charged,
preferably using two different network providers. Inform
your Country Manager (CM) if there are any changes or if
you are having problems covering the game you have
been assigned to.

The Match Operator (MO) from the call centre will make
an initial call 60‐90 minutes before the starting time to confirm the game details and to ensure that you
are on your way to the stadium. Give the MO full team names, starting time and any other information
being requested.

Be in position in the stadium (not outside) at least 30 minutes before the scheduled starting time. It’s
strongly recommended to purchase tickets in advance for leagues/games that attract a larger crowd.
The second call will come around half‐an‐hour prior to the start and you will then be asked for details
such as attendance and shirt/uniform colours. Provide the (estimated) attendance number in
percentage of the total stadium capacity – 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% and inform the MO about the
colours of both teams, for example: Home team is playing in white and away team is red and blue.
These two details can be added/changed closer to the starting time.

When the players re‐enter the court in game uniforms after the warm‐up and team‐briefing, announce
PLAYERS ON THE COURT. When both teams are in position ready to start the game, announce
STANDBY FOR JUMP BALL.

2) START & STOP

Announce GAME STARTED when the referee starts the game by throwing the ball up in the air
followed by HOME/AWAY POSSESSION depending on the team winning possession of the ball.

Always announce GAME STOPPED as soon as the referee blows his whistle and
the clock stops. It’s important that you announce this before other commands
such as fouls and free‐throws, but note that points scored always comes first
(see examples in section 4). Announce GAME STARTED again when the game
resumes play and the clock starts. Also start each period by announcing
1ST/2ND/3RD/4TH QUARTER STARTED or OVERTIME STARTED and end them
with 1ST/2ND/3RD/4TH QUARTER ENDED or OVERTIME PERIOD ENDED when
the time has run out completely.
Always announce GAME STOPPED when:

 The time expires at the end of a quarter or overtime period.

 A referee blows his whistle, usually for foul, ball out‐of‐bounds or time‐out.
 Points are made by shot in the last two minutes of the 4th quarter or extra time period.
 The 24‐second clock signal sounds while a team is in control of the ball.
 The play is stopped and the scoreboard clock is paused.

Update the MO with the remaining time in minutes and seconds every time the clock stops, but only
after announcing other events such as points, fouls, free‐throws and time‐outs. Round down to the
nearest second, however if the clock shows 1‐9 tenths of a second remaining, announce
Less than a second left to play.

Examples (note that the seconds shift to the left when less than a minute remains):

Scoreboard shows 06:36 announce 6 minutes and 36 seconds remaining

Scoreboard shows 49:7 announce 49 seconds remaining
Scoreboard shows 00:3 announce Less than a second remaining

If you realise that you started the clock several seconds early or stopped late, notify the MO and
announce the current time. If the game is running you might be asked to count the seconds in order to
adjust the time during play. But keep focusing on the game and interrupt this procedure to announce
any game event occurring during the time.

3) BALL POSSESSION
Announce HOME/AWAY POSSESSION after a jump ball (can also
occur during the game) and every time the ball changes possession
between the teams. Even if the status has not changed, announce
HOME/AWAY POSSESSION again…

 Before starting a new quarter or overtime period.

 Before restarting the game after a time‐out.
 After a missed last (or only) free‐throw.
 Whenever the MO asks for an update.

Note that the ball always changes possession after a successful

two‐ or three‐pointer except when the team scoring is awarded
a free‐throw for being fouled during the attempt.
 4) POINTS
Announce the points scored as soon as the ball passes through the basket with as little delay as possible:
HOME/AWAY TWO POINTS or HOME/AWAY TRIPLE POINTS. Always keep a close eye on the referee(s)
when a shot is being taken from the area around the three‐point line. The referee(s) will hold up three
extended fingers on one hand above the head to signal a three‐point attempt and then use both hands
in the same fashion if the shot is successful. After announcing the new points (and stopping the clock if
necessary), change the ball possession before updating the new score.

Examples:

HOME POSSESSION AWAY POSSESSION

HOME TWO POINTS AWAY TRIPLE POINTS
AWAY POSSESSION GAME STOPPED
SCORE IS 57‐43 HOME POSSESSION
GAME STARTED
SCORE IS 55‐46

The stadium scoreboard is usually updated within seconds after the last points scored but you must
announce the new points immediately as it’s vital for us to get this information in real‐time.

The free‐throws points are described in chapter 6.

5) FOULS
Although you do not have to define the type of foul committed it’s important that you are familiar with
the different types in order to know what follows, when and why. It’s crucial not to miss any foul as the
total number per team can lead to more free‐throw opportunities for the opponents thus giving them
an advantage in the game.

When the referee raises a fist in the air and blows his whistle for a foul, stop the
game first ‐ GAME STOPPED, announce HOME/AWAY FOUL immediately followed
by either HOME/AWAY ONE/TWO/THREE FREE‐THROW(S) or NO FREE‐THROW. If
no free‐throw has been awarded (for example offensive or non‐shooting fouls),
announce HOME/AWAY POSSESSION to the team taking the throw‐in.
Remember the following rules:

 Unless the fouling team is in penalty situation or if the foul was committing during a shooting
attempt, a throw‐in will follow.
 The penalty situation occurs after a team has committed four fouls in one quarter or overtime
period. This means that all remaining fouls in the period, starting from the fifth, will give the
opponents two free‐throws, even if it was a non‐shooting foul.
 Free‐throws are never awarded after offensive fouls (team in possession committing the foul),
no matter if the team committing the foul is in the penalty situation.

6) FREE‐THROWS
After stopping the game and confirming the number of
free‐throws given, announce STANDBY FOR FREE‐THROW
when the players are in position prior to the first free‐
throw. This is not necessary for the second or third free‐
throw unless there is a longer break in between. Announce
SCORED for every successful free‐throw and MISSED if the
attempt is unsuccessful. If a free‐throw is taken but the
referee calls for a re‐take, announce CANCEL HOME/AWAY
ONE POINT (if successful) followed by
FREE‐THROW TO BE RETAKEN.

If the last free‐throw is unsuccessful but the team scores on the rebound, announce MISSED followed by
HOME/AWAY TWO POINTS.

Example 1:

Home team attempts a two‐point shot, misses, but is fouled during the attempt. Player misses the first
free‐throw but makes the second.

1. HOME POSSESSION
2. GAME STOPPED
3. AWAY FOUL
4. HOME TWO FREE‐THROWS
5. STANDBY FOR FREE‐THROW
6. MISSED
7. SCORED
8. GAME STARTED
9. AWAY POSSESSION
Example 2:

Away team is fouled while attempting a pass and is awarded two free‐throws as home team has already
committed five fouls in the same quarter. Player makes the first, misses the second and home team wins
possession after the rebound.

1. AWAY POSSESSION
2. GAME STOPPED
3. HOME FOUL
4. AWAY TWO FREE‐THROW
5. STANDBY FOR FREE‐THROW
6. SCORED
7. MISSED
8. GAME STARTED
9. HOME POSSESSION

Example 3:

Home team scores a three‐pointer and is also fouled during the shot, awarding him one free‐throw.
Player misses the free‐throw but the referee spots an away player entering the restricted area too early
and signals the free‐throw to be re‐taken. Player misses the free‐throw again but the home team gains
possession of the ball and makes two points shortly after.

1. HOME POSSESSION
2. HOME TRIPLE POINTS
3. GAME STOPPED
4. AWAY FOUL
5. HOME ONE FREE‐THROW
6. SCORE IS 49‐44 (update after the successful three‐pointer)
7. STANDBY FOR FREE‐THROW
8. MISSED
9. FREE‐THROW TO BE RE‐TAKEN
10. MISSED
11. GAME STARTED
12. HOME POSSESSION
13. HOME TWO POINTS
14. AWAY POSSESSION
 7) TIME‐OUTS AND OTHER EVENTS OF IMPORTANCE
Announce GAME STOPPED followed by TIME‐OUT when the referee signals for a
team or TV time‐out. Informing which team requested the time‐out is currently
not needed.

Note that each team is granted two time‐outs in the first half, three time‐outs in
the second half and one time‐out for each extra time period.

Inform the MO if any of the following events take place during the game:

 Player injured (getting medical treatment on the court causing a longer delay).
 Crowd disturbance or players fighting.
 Court maintenance.
 Game interrupted due to other reason.
 Game abandoned (called off by officials – not to resume play the same day).

8) STATUS UNSURE
Announce STATUS UNSURE when:

 You have or think that you might have missed an important event.
 You have or think that you might have announced an incorrect event.
 Referees are consulting with each other, table officials or coaches.
 Something unusual is happening on the court that you think might affect any previous event,
referee decision or outcome of future events.

Inform the MO with as many details as possible when the situation is clear and continue with the game
as usual when you are being asked to by the MO. Remember that the earlier you announce
STATUS UNSURE to correct a previous mistake, the better.
 9) LOST COMMUNICATION
If you at any time during play lose the connection with the MO, communicate this information in the
following order when the connection has been reestablished:

1. Current score.
2. Current period and time left.
3. Current ball possession, status of the game and if clock is stopped or running.
4. Number of fouls per team in current period (keep count if scoreboard does not display).

Examples:

The current score is now 32‐29 and there are 5 minutes and 46 seconds remaining of the second
period. The clock is running and the away team is in possession of the ball.

The current score is now 68‐71 and there are 20 seconds remaining of the fourth quarter. The clock is
stopped and the home team has been just been awarded two free‐throws.