how to be a pro basketball referee

Definitions and illustrations
basket interferenceBASKET INTERFERENCE: Touching the basketball when it is on the rim or in the imaginary cylinder above the rim.

BLOCKING: Illegal contact that impedes the progress of an opponent.

CANCEL SCORE/CANCEL PLAY: To disallow the preceding basket or play.

CHARGING: An offensive foul that occurs when a player runs into a stationary defender who has position.

TO DESIGNATE OFFENDER: The number of the player called for foul or violation to the official scorer.

DIRECTION OF PLAY: The direction of the basket of the team awarded possession.

DOUBLE FOUL: When two opposing players commit personal or technical fouls against each other at approximately the same time.

GOALTENDING: An offensive or defensive violation in which a player interferes with a shot ball while it is on a downward arc to the basket. If a defender goaltends, the offensive team is credited with the made goal; if an offensive player goaltends, any goal is void and the defensive team receives possession.

HOLDING: Illegal physical contact that impedes the progress of an opponent.

ILLEGAL DRIBBLE: When a player runs with the ball without dribbling, or dribbles a second time after he has voluntarily ended his first dribble.

ILLEGAL SCREEN OUT OF BOUNDS: A player illegally leaving the playing floor on the endline in the frontcourt for the purpose of setting a screen.

ILLEGAL USE OF HANDS: Illegal hand contact or "hand-checking" of an opponent.

JUMP BALL: To put the ball in play with a jump ball between two opposing players after such occurrences as a held ball.

LOOSE BALL FOUL: Illegal contact after the ball is live when team possession does not exist.

PERSONAL FOUL: Illegal physical contact with an opponent when the ball is live.

PUSHING: Such personal contact as bumping or moving an opponent.

TECHNICAL FOUL: A penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct or violations by team members on the floor or seated on the bench. It may also be assessed for illegal contact that occurs with an opponent before the ball becomes live.

THREE-SECOND VIOLATION: A violation in which the offensive player stands in the free-throw lane for three seconds or more without commencing a shot. 24-second violation

TRAVELING: Illegal movement in which a player in possession of the ball pivots, jumps, or shuffles the feet improperly.

24-SECOND VIOLATION: A violation in which the offensive team fails to attempt a field goal within 24 seconds after gaining possession.

TIME-IN AND TIME-OUT: Signals to the timer when to start and stop, respectively, the official game clock.

20-SECOND TIMEOUT: Signals the granting of a team's request for a 20-second time-out. Teams are allowed one 20-second timeout per half.