# Law 48: Referees: Duties and Powers (FIBA Official Basketball Rules)

Basketball · Law 48: Referees: Duties and Powers · Insporta Book (https://book.insporta.app/basketball/laws/law-48-referees-duties-and-powers/)

Where officials may call infractions, when to whistle, the fundamental principles, an injured official, English and the finality of decisions.

## 48.481 Whistles and Principles

Where and when to call, and the four fundamental principles.

### Test 1: Whistles and principles

- Officials decide on infractions within or outside the boundary lines, including near the table, benches and behind the lines. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.1)
- Officials do not whistle after a successful goal, a successful free throw or when the ball becomes live. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.2)
- Officials should not interrupt the flow to penalise incidental contact that gives no advantage and causes no disadvantage. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.3)
- Officials consider the spirit and intent of the rules and the integrity of the game. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.3)
- Whistles are for infractions, the end of a quarter or overtime, or when the game must be stopped. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.2)
- Officials keep a balance between game control and game flow, calling what is right for the game. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.3)
- Consistent common sense in each game, bearing in mind the players' abilities, attitude and conduct. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.3)
- A whistle for the foul, none after a successful free throw. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.2)
- The four principles as listed: spirit and intent, advantage/disadvantage, common sense, control and flow. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.3)
- No whistle after a successful free throw; travelling, the end of a quarter and a needed stop all get one. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.2)

## 48.482 Protests, Injuries and Final Decisions

Reporting protests, an injured official, English, and decisions that stand.

### Test 1: Injuries and final decisions

- On receiving the protest reasons, the crew chief (or commissioner, if present) reports the incident in writing. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.4)
- If an official cannot continue within 5 minutes of the incident, the game resumes. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.5)
- After consulting the commissioner, the remaining officials decide on a possible qualified replacement. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.5)
- In international games, verbal communication needed to make a decision clear is in English. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.6)
- Each official decides within his duties but has no authority to disregard or question another's decisions. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.7)
- It is final and cannot be contested or disregarded, except where a protest is allowed. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.8)
- It is the remaining crew's call, with the commissioner's advice. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.5)
- Five minutes is the limit; then play carries on. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.5)
- The written report goes up to the organisers. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.4)
- Without a qualified substitute, the remaining officials work the rest of the game alone. (Source: FIBA OBR 2026, Art. 48.5)

Sources: FIBA Official Basketball Rules 2026 (v1.1), Article 48 (paraphrased in original wording; original questions authored from the Rules, not reproduced)

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