Scorekeeping

Updated Wednesday November 21, 2012 by Winnipeg Minor Basketball Association . 

How To Scorekeep the Game of Basketball

The following information details the step by step procedure required to properly score and time a basketball game.  The 'Timer' is responsible for the game clock, scoreboard and possession arrow.  The 'Scorer' is responsible for completing the scoresheet.  A sample of a completed scoresheet along with the infomation provided below is also available at each gym site by the Gym Supervisor.

SCOREKEEPER

CLICK HERE to download a PDF copy of a blank scoresheet

1. Team Rosters. Have coaches complete the game rosters - full names and numbers!  Include date, time & location (see reverse side for a sample).
2. Scoring.  Mark running score first with a slash mark.  Mark individual score second; 2 for a two-point score - 3 for a three-point score - full or empty circles to indicate made or missed free throws (1 point each)
3. Personal Fouls. Record personal fouls as | in the player fouls box next to the corresponding name - 5 personal fouls = disqualification.
4. Technical Fouls.  Marked as T - go towards personal and team foul totals.  Mark coach's T's next to their names
5. Timeouts.  CLUB - Clock continues to run during timeouts; RISING STARS- clock stops. Record all time outs on sheet next to team's name - CLUB - 2 - 1 min. time outs.  No CLUB timeouts in the last five minutes. RISING STARS- 4 full (1 min.) and 2 - 30-second time outs per team.
6. Team Bonus.  After team reaches seven (7) team fouls per half, other team is in bonus.  After team reaches ten (10) team fouls per half, other team is in double bonus - notify referee by sounding horn.  All team fouls reset going into the 2nd half.
7. Halftime.  Indicate what halftime scores are; separate 1st half team fouls by drawing long line down fouls column; draw long squiggle line down 1st half score box to prevent marking of 2nd half stats in 1st half columns.
8. Overtime. All time-outs carry over to the overtime period.  Rising Stars teams get 1 extra full time-out, club teams do not.  
9. End of game.  Total all scores and write in winning team and final score; total all the individual points; Gym Supervisor keeps original white copy, give yellow to winning team and pink to losing team.
10. Communicate with TIMER at all times to ensure game score is correct

 

TIMER

1. Game Times. CLUB: 1st Half - 25 minutes running time; 2nd Half - 22 minutes  running time with the last 2 minutes being stopped time.  RISING STARS: 2-16 minute stopped time halves -- 16-17 Age Level - 2-20 minute stopped time halves  (Stopped time sees the game clock stop at each whistle).  In stopped time situations, start clock as referee drops hand (watch the referee that hands the ball into play) and stop clock at sound of whistle - keep clock running after a score.  Keep hand on clock switch at all times - be ready to react!
2. Possession Arrow.  Point possession arrow to the basket of the team that loses the jump ball.  Switch possession arrow after every jump ball situation.
3. Scoring.  Indicate on the scoreboard one (1) point for every made free throw; two (2) points for every made field goal; three (3) points for every made 3-point field goal - watch the referee for what each shot is worth.
4. Timeouts.  CLUB - Clock continues to run during timeouts; RISING STARS- clock stops. Record all time outs on sheet next to team's name - CLUB 2 - 1 min. time outs.  No CLUB timeouts in the last five minutes. RISING STARS- 4 full (1 min.) and 2 - 30-second time outs per team.
5. Halftime.  5 minutes (all levels) - reset all bonus lights, team & personal fouls
6. Substitutions. Substitute only when stoppage in play - only team with possession of ball may substitute - sound horn to notify referee.
7. Overtime. CLUB - overtime in playoffs only - consists of 3 minutes (1 minute being running time, 2 minutes stopped time).  RISING STARS- a 4-minute running overtime period will be played if the game is tied in any game. 
8. Communicate with SCORER at all times to ensure game score is correct