IAABO Executive Director Tom Lopes
WELCOME TO
IAABO - INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF APPROVED BASKETBALL OFFICIALS, INC.
Through your membership in the International Association of Approved Basketball
Officials, Inc., you are a member of the only organization of its kind in the
world: a nonprofit service and professional organization managed by and for
basketball referees. Founded in 1923, IAABO's stated purposes are;
· To educate, train, develop, and provide continuous instruction for basketball
officials.
· To promote the welfare of the game of basketball, its players and officials.
· To maintain the highest standard of basketball officiating.
· To encourage the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship.
· To have available at all times an adequate number of thoroughly trained and
capable officials.
· To Cooperate with all organizations officially connected with the game of
basketball in furthering its interests and ideals.
Through a worldwide organization of some 200 local "boards" spanning
38 States and 11 foreign counties, IAABO has been the unparalleled and
undisputed leader in worldwide training of basketball officials in the areas of
· Basketball rules
· Mechanics and techniques of officiating
· Organization of local officials' groups
· Development of curricula and standards by which other officials'
organizations are judged
Training and education processes are ongoing—augmented by comprehensive
written and practical programs, updated annually (or more often as needed).
Throughout the year, the IAABO office, in conjunction with nationally acclaimed
clinicians, constantly develops and improves teaching and testing techniques.
Recruitment of new members by local organizations is supported by the national
public relations efforts of the IAABO office and the reputation of IAABO as the
leader in basketball officiating.
OFFICIATING
STANDARDS, QUALITY AND TRAINING
Officiating standards are reflected in the IAABO training program. For admission
to IAABO membership, applicants must establish a satisfactory record of health
and character and successfully complete extensive written and practical
instruction, including comprehensive course curricula. Both written and clinical
examinations are administered under the supervision of certified IAABO
professionals. Unlike some other officials' "associations," it is not
possible simply to pay a fee and "join” an organization for which the
membership criteria are the ability of potential "members" to
contribute to the profits of a business. IAABO officials need to earn their
membership by successful completion of training which includes written and
practical testing. Once admitted to membership, officials are required to
undergo annual testing and attend clinics in rules and mechanics training and
technical competence.
IAABO curricula and materials offer a total package for basketball officials,
including not only rules and officiating mechanics instruction, but
comprehensive materials relating to ethics, professionalism, legal rights and
responsibilities of officials, and organization and conduct of officiating
chapters (boards) to achieve the goals of a comprehensive officiating program.
IAABO's widely acclaimed periodical publication, Sportorials, together with
IAABO supplemental outlines enable the trainers to deliver fundamental
information and philosophy to basketball officials in important aspects of their
officiating such as, official/coach/player relations; handling rough play;
advantage/disadvantage; verticality; game management and philosophy; and risk
management.
The IAABO Charitable & Educational Foundation, Inc. utilizes contributions
from many sources to continually broaden the scope and improve the quality of
information disseminated for the benefit of basketball. IAABO publishes
comprehensive reference materials including guidelines for local organizations,
timers and scorers cards, pregame conference cards, self-evaluation forms,
lesson plans supported by state of the art technology, and video libraries.
Nine IAABO standing committees, staffed by IAABO members who volunteer their
services assist local boards in the areas such as education, examinations,
membership development, board relations, policy, rating systems, and mechanics
and techniques.
Rules and mechanics are taught in annual rules interpretation clinics each Fall,
combined with regional seminars. Written materials, graphics, and videos of
seminars and clinics are widely disseminated. In addition, IAABO referee schools
in various parts of the country are available to those who seek to further
improve their knowledge and skills.
With the ever increasing speed of change related to internet technologies IAABO
continues to use different technology solutions to recruit, and continually
update the training of members, distribute information, and develop an
interactive community. Projects currently implemented or under development are:
· Searchable database
· Complete monthly publications (8 issues per year on line)
· Multimedia mechanics demonstrations
· Web-based discussion board
· On line testing with immediate result feedback
If a picture is worth a thousand words, what is it worth to watch and listen to
a referee signaling a block while an instructor verbally describes the steps for
the proper signal? IAABO's interactive technology enables members to see the
proper way to report a two shot foul, or designate a designated spot throw-in.
You Blow the Whistle tests the official's knowledge on how to handle different
situations related to two and three person mechanic situations. With the
increase in bandwidth and better compression technology, expectations are rising
for more robust uses of the Internet for training and educating officials.
Instructional materials are constantly being developed and updated by recognized
experts who are fulltime professionals in tile following fields:
· Basketball rules interpretations
· Basketball officiating techniques
· Educational goals of interscholastic athletics
· Legal rights and responsibilities of officials and officials' organizations
· Physical conditioning