How to keep a basketball scorebook

A basketball scorebook is the official record of the game. The scorer writes down who starts, every basket and free throw, each player's fouls, each team's timeouts, and the running score. In high-school games played under NFHS rules, the referee names one book as the official scorebook. If there is a dispute, its record stands unless the referee knows otherwise.

Keeping the book is a different job from keeping team stats. The book tracks what decides the game, like the score, fouls and timeouts. It does not track rebounds or assists.

What goes in the book

• Rosters and starters. NFHS scorer instructions say each team gives the scorer its roster and numbers ten minutes before the game, then its starting lineup. Tell the referee if either list is late or changes.
• Scoring. Each field goal goes in the scorer's row as a 2 or a 3. Free throws have their own marks for an attempt and for a make.
• The running score. Each basket also goes on the running-score tally, so the scorer can check the total at any time.
• Personal fouls. Mark P1, P2 and so on as a player picks up each foul, or cross out the matching number.
• Team fouls per quarter. These decide when the bonus starts.
• Timeouts. Note which team took each one, and when.
• Substitutions. A substitute reports to the scorer before entering.

What the scorer must tell the officials

NFHS scorer instructions list moments when the scorer notifies the nearer official, including:

• A player is charged with a fifth foul. That player is disqualified in NFHS play. (The NBA disqualifies a player on a sixth personal foul.)
• A team reaches its bonus. Under current NFHS rules, the bonus is tied to the fifth team foul in each quarter, and it gives two free throws.
• A team has used all of its timeouts, or asks for one more.

Fouls are where scorebook mistakes hurt most. If a fifth foul goes unrecorded, a player who should sit stays on the floor.

How a statkeeper records it

The NFHS scorer instructions recommend these symbols:

• 2 or 3 in the player's row for a made field goal.
• Separate marks for a free-throw attempt and a made free throw.
• P1, P2, P3… for each personal foul.

After every basket, the official scorer and any other scorers say the running score and the name and number of the player who scored to each other. They check the scoreboard. At the end of each half, they compare each player's points with the running score.

If you also keep team stats, keep the two records apart. Put the book on the table and your stat sheet beside it. You can also speak your stats while the book stays on paper:

“Carter reaches in, that's his third”

HoopReads counts that foul in the player's foul column. The paper book is still the official record. HoopReads keeps your team stats; it does not replace the official scorer.

Judgment calls

The book has few judgment calls. The officials make the calls, and the scorer records them. Some situations still catch new scorers:

• Points in the wrong basket. NFHS scorers never credit these to a player. They go to the team as a footnote.
• Goaltending and basket interference by the defense. The points go to the shooter.
• Doubt about a call. Signal the nearest official at the next dead ball and confirm. Don't guess.
• Disagreement between books. The official scorebook decides, unless the referee knows otherwise.

A simple routine

1. Roster, numbers and starters in the book before the game.
2. During play, record each basket, free throw, foul and timeout the moment the official signals it.
3. At every dead ball, check the scoreboard against your running score.
4. At each break, total each player's fouls and points and compare them with the other scorer.

For the stat list your coach wants on top of the book, use the stat keeper cheat sheet.