Mini Basketball with Student Referees

4-on-4 mini basketball games officiated by the resting team using four simple signals: traveling, double dribble, out of bounds and foul. Teams rotate so everyone plays and referees. Students learn basic rules, fair play and respect for officials.

How to play

1. Make 5 teams of 5 and teach the signals on the whiteboard: traveling (roll your fists), double dribble (pat the air twice), out of bounds (point the direction) and foul (fist up).
2. Two teams play on each of two courts, 4 on the floor and 1 sub who enters halfway through.
3. The fifth team officiates: two referees per court and one scorekeeper at the whiteboard.
4. Referees whistle, show the signal and say who gets the ball: sideline inbound after a foul or out of bounds, baseline after a basket.
5. Each game lasts 4 minutes; then the officiating team rotates following the order on the whiteboard.
6. After 5 games, every team has refereed once; wrap up by sharing how it felt to referee.

Rules

• Referee calls are not argued; questions are discussed at the end.
• No holding or pushing on defense; three personal fouls mean a sub comes in.
• Subs enter at midcourt with play stopped.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the student can keep score or referee from a fixed spot on the sideline.
• Hearing impairment: referees raise a pinnie when they whistle so everyone sees the stop.
• Shyness: the student referees with a trusted partner, starting with one signal.

Learning goals

• Know and apply the basic rules of mini basketball.
• Referee responsibly and fairly.
• Respect referee calls and the classmates who make them.

Equipment for a class of 25

• youth basketballs: 2
• basketball hoops: 4
• pinnies: 20
• whistles: 4
• whiteboard: 1

Teacher tip

Practice the signals first with the whole class as a copy-me game. Publicly praise teams that accept calls to protect less confident referees.

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