FIBA Individual Officiating Techniques - IOTs
2026-02-16
The IOTs are the fundamental skills that referees need to possess so they can process and facilitate correct decisions.
FIBA introduced Individual Officiating Techniques (IOT) as the most important foundation for either 2 Person Officiating (2PO) or 3 Person Officiating (3PO). The IOTs are the fundamental skills that referees need to possess so they can process and facilitate correct decisions. When analyzing play phases during the game, some basic ...
FIBA introduced Individual Officiating Techniques (IOT) as the most important foundation for either 2 Person Officiating (2PO) or 3 Person Officiating (3PO). The IOTs are the fundamental skills that referees need to possess so they can process and facilitate correct decisions. When analyzing play phases during the game, some basic principles are necessary to follow:
a) Have proper distance from the play – keep an open angle and remain stationary. Do not move too close to the play as this narrows your field of vision (Distance and Stationary)
b) Referee the defense
c) Always look for illegal actions to call (Active mindset)
d) Have the key players (1on1) or as many players as possible in your field of vision to see any illegal actions (45°and Open angle)
e) Understand when the play has ended so you can move to the next play mentally/physically (Stay with the play until it is over)
Failure to adhere to the above-mentioned principles are the main reasons why officials make incorrect decisions on the floor. When referees have proper primary coverage for all obvious plays, it substantially increases call accuracy and decision-making. These obvious plays, if missed, are the determining factors in people’s minds as to what constitutes an acceptable level of officiating.
a) Have proper distance from the play – keep an open angle and remain stationary. Do not move too close to the play as this narrows your field of vision (Distance and Stationary)
b) Referee the defense
c) Always look for illegal actions to call (Active mindset)
d) Have the key players (1on1) or as many players as possible in your field of vision to see any illegal actions (45°and Open angle)
e) Understand when the play has ended so you can move to the next play mentally/physically (Stay with the play until it is over)
Failure to adhere to the above-mentioned principles are the main reasons why officials make incorrect decisions on the floor. When referees have proper primary coverage for all obvious plays, it substantially increases call accuracy and decision-making. These obvious plays, if missed, are the determining factors in people’s minds as to what constitutes an acceptable level of officiating.