Hertfordshire Basketball League Hertfordshire Basketball League

Officials' Code of Conduct

all documents · 2026/27 season · previous season

Download to print (Word, 28 KB)

Safeguarding

Officials shall;

  • Maintain an up-to-date DBS and safeguarding certificate as required by Basketball England.
  • Conduct themselves in a proper manner so as not to compromise their own integrity or cause any other participant to feel unsafe or threatened.
  • Adhere to the Basketball England Safeguarding policy and Basketball England Code of Conduct as well as the HBL’s regulations.  

Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and we have a duty of care to protect all involved in the League's activities.   Officials are required to report any Safeguarding or conduct concerns to the League Welfare Officer immediately.  Concerns should be sent to Steph Strachan on hertsbasketballsecretary@gmail.com or by calling 07972 526617.

1) Officials shall;

  • Arrive at games at least 20 minutes before the scheduled tip-off time.
  • Be physically and mentally prepared
  • Be dressed neatly and appropriately
  • Conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the high standards of the Herts Basketball League

2) Officials will perform pre-game duties, including;

  • Check the licences of all participants
  • Select a suitable game ball
  • Cooperate with table officials to ensure all table equipment is in working order
  • Communicate with both coaches in a respectful and empathic manner. Officials shall not communicate or show impartiality, which could lead to accusations of favouritism or question their integrity.

3) Officials shall;

  • Not wear any form of jewellery.
  • Once all officials and teams are on the court, put away their mobile phones. Mobile phones may not be accessed until the score sheet has been signed at the end of the game.
  • Leave the court together and avoid confrontation with participants or spectators.
  • Report any issues verbally to the League Secretary within 24 hours of the end of the game with a written submission within seven days.

4) Officials shall;

  • Be knowledgeable of the rules of the game and mechanics
  • Apply the rules fairly and consistently
  • Exercise authority in an impartial, assertive and controlled manner

5) Officials shall;

  • Uphold the honour and dignity of officiating in all interactions with players, student-athletes, coaches, schoolteachers, colleagues and the public.
  • Display excellent communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal
  • Uphold high principles of officiating towards all participants, which include integrity, neutrality, respect, sensitivity, professionalism, discretion and tact

6) Officials shall be;

  • Free from any obligations or outside pressure to any interest other than the impartial and fair judging of the game which they are officiating

7) Officials shall not;

  • Be a party to actions either personally or from players, coaches or spectators designed to undermine any participants based on economic factors, race, creed, colour, age, sex, physical handicap, country or national origin

8) Officials shall not;

  • Make false or misleading statements regarding their qualifications, credentials, experience, training or competence.
  • Newly qualified officials will not seek to garner favour to have their award validated by favourable officials, nor will senior officials favour newly qualified officials by signing off their award without proper scrutiny of their ability to officiate in an appropriate and competent manner

9) Officials shall;

  • Accept responsibility for all actions taken
  • Reports incidents in a game in an honest and factual manner

10) Officials shall;

  • Work with each other and their governing bodies constructively and cooperatively and never undermine fellow officials

11) Officials shall;

  • Resist every temptation and outside pressure to use one's position as an official to benefit oneself
  • Be responsible for maintaining confidence and trust in all officials

12) Officials shall not;

  • Post or comment about fellow officials on any social media platform

Any official who ignores or willfully compromises the integrity of the Herts Basketball League and its rules risks removal from the officiating panel. Their actions will be reported to Basketball England's Integrity Unit and other basketball associations.

13) Disciplinary Guidelines for Herts. Basketball League Officials

Disciplinary reports are needed in the following circumstances;

  • A disqualifying foul
  • An event/incident after the end of the game involving a Coach/Player/Team Official/Spectator.
  • Anything you feel you need to report to the league for consideration by the League Disciplinary Officer (LDO) - facilities or anything not covered above.

Disciplinary reports are NOT required for:

2 Technical T1 / 2 Flagrant Fouls or combination that results in a player or coach being disqualified from the game - these matters will be dealt with by the League Secretary via the penalty points system.

Reporting Timeline

  • A written report by BOTH floor officials (whether directly involved with the incident or awarding the Disq. Foul or not) within TWO WORKING DAYS of the game being played.
  • It must be sent only to the LDO, no one else should be copied into the report - this is very important as it could cause issues with the determination and any subsequent appeal that may result from the LDO decision.
  • The reports must be, as far as possible, independently written and with no collusion between the floor officials apart from what was discussed on the court at the time of the incident. If one of the floor officials did not see the event/incident, then just say that there is no issue if you say that.
  • The reports must be factual. State the facts and any information you feel will help the LDO make an informed decision on any incident. Any previous incidents or history during the season involving the player or coach should not be stated - the LDO must only decide on what happened in that game, not what has gone on previously in the season or last season.
  • If any HBL Committee members are present at the game they, if they wish, send a written report to the LDO on the incident, but that is purely optional.
  • If there is any VIDEO of the game that would help the LDO decide and BOTH TEAMS AGREE TO ITS USE, then the CREW CHIEF should liaise with the owner of that recording for it to be forwarded to the LDO

ASAP, but preferably within 48 hrs of the game being played. As not all clubs video their games - the use of video evidence is optional and should not disadvantage any team(s) that don’t have any video of the game.

  • Once the reports are sent to the LDO, please be available to the LDO to answer any questions or clarifications on the report sent by you.
  • The LDO (and the panel members) will try and decide within two working days of all the reports being received.
  • If a club official wishes to send a report to the LDO, then that is acceptable but will only be used by the LDO if they feel it adds any value or additional info on the incident.
  • At no stage should there be any dialogue or communication between clubs / players or officials unless initiated by the LDO to gain further information or clarification of facts stated.

LDO Comment

The floor officials have everything in the FIBA rules of basketball and HBL rules to deal with what happens on the court during the game and especially relevant regarding coach/bench behaviour, and the spectators at the venue.

The reporting of player/coach/bench personnel behaviour post-match having not dealt with it during the game could show a lack of confidence, understanding and implementation of the rules of the game. It is incumbent on the more experienced referees to support the newer referees in the league to confidently call what they see, punish unacceptable behaviour or language and not be nervous or scared to call TF or deal with bench decorum and thus lol avoid unnecessary reporting post-game.

14) Referee Fees for 2026-7

L1 - £18

L2 - £20

L3 - £22

L4 - £24

L5 - £26