Each week, experts are analysing the games. In order to improve the understanding of referees' decisions and to increase the transparency towards our fans, we publish some of those "tough calls", together with an explanation.

Please find below last week's "tough calls":

Tough Call 1: Protect the shooter

In the points of emphasis for season 2017-18, all officials and clubs were informed about the need to protect the shooter in all parts of the action of attempting to shoot; the key points are:
• the action of the shooter going up with the ball
• the action of beginning the release of the shot whilst in the air
• the action of the shooter returning to the floor

The focus will be on the verticality of both offensive and defensive players during the act of shooting. In the following three video situations there are examples of illegal contact by the defensive player who has no verticality when attempting to block the shot.

• Act of Shooting 1
  From an out of bounds pass 3 White penetrates to the corner where he is under pressure from defender 21 Green who contacts him on the torso during the act of shooting. Illegal verticality foul.
  
  
  
  
• Act of Shooting 2
  On a transition play 12 White passes the ball under pressure from 7 Green to 0 White who is contacted on his lower body by defender 13 Green, whilst attempting and releasing his shot. Illegal verticality foul.
  
  
  
  
• Act of Shooting 3
  Defender 12 White contacts the lower body of opponent 13 Green when making an attempt to block the 3-point shot from the corner. Illegal verticality foul.
  
  
  
  
  

Tough Call 2: Act of shooting - Block

In this example, we see good verticality by defensive players. 0 Yellow intercepts the ball and penetrates to his opponent’s basket followed closely by 5 Black and 20 Black. When 0 Yellow attempts to release his shot 5 Black legally blocks the shot maintaining legal verticality.

Tough Call 3: Act of shooting - Illegal verticality by an offensive player

In this example of illegal verticality by an offensive player; 31 Yellow passes to 22 Yellow in the corner and during the act of shooting he extends his leg creating contact with defender 20 Black. The referee correctly calls an offensive foul on 22 Yellow.

Tough Call 4: Unsportsmanlike Foul in the act of shooting

5 Red penetrates to the basket and passes off to 7 Red under the basket and as he attempts to shoot, he is heavily fouled by defender 20 White. The referee calls an unsportsmanlike foul.
Excessive, hard contact caused by a player in an effort to play the ball or an opponent

Tough Call 5: 2017 Rules Change

The actions of 55 Black are clearly illustrated in this video clip but it is important to understand the final decision as explained by rule 37.2.3. A player shall be disqualified for the remainder of the game when he is charged with 2 unsportsmanlike fouls or 2 technical fouls, or with 1 technical foul and 1 unsportsmanlike foul.

Tough Call 6: Rebound foul

During a rebound situation whilst jumping in the air, 22 White contacts 9 Red in the face with his extended arm but the referees did not call the contact as a foul. Error by the referees.

Tough Call 7: Wrong accessories

7 Blue is appearing on the game with uniform equipment/accessories (short sleeves under-shirt), which is against the Official Basketball Rules (art. 4.4). 

The Technical Delegate shall remind the team before the game (during uniforms check), and during the warm up, for not using equipment against the Official Basketball Rules. The player with uniform/equipment/accessories against the Rules shall not be allowed to enter the game.