MIES (Switzerland) - 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 this week's "tough calls":

Tough Call 1: Hapoel Holon vs Tsmoki-Minsk - UF

Black 4 starts a transition guarded by Yellow 4. When the defender is beaten, he extends his left arm and pushes Black 4 from behind.

Article 37.1.1 Bullet 3   An unsportsmanlike foul is a player contact which, in the judgement of a referee is:

• An unnecessary contact caused by the defensive player in order to stop the progress of the offensive team in transition. This applies until the offensive player begins his act of shooting.

Article 15.1.3 Bullet 1   The act of shooting in a continuous movement on drives to the basket or other moving shots:

• Begins when the ball has come to rest in the player’s hand(s), upon completion of a dribble or a catch in the air and the player starts, in the judgment of the referee, the shooting motion preceding the release of the ball for a field goal.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. The illegal contact created by Yellow 4 meets the criteria to be called as Unsportsmanlike Foul as it was an unnecessary contact to stop the progress of transition and the act of shooting had not started yet because the ball had not come to rest in the hand of Black 4. Black 4 shall attempt 2 free throws with no line up followed by a Black team throw-in at the throw-in line and 14 seconds on the shot clock.

Tough Call 2: Hapoel Holon vs Tsmoki-Minsk- UF

After a turn-over, Black 7 passes the ball to Black 6, who starts a fast break. When he is going for a lay-up, Yellow 4 creates an illegal contact on the arm and the referee calls an Unsportsmanlike Foul.

Article 37.1.1 Bullet 2   An unsportsmanlike foul is a player contact which, in the judgement of a referee is:

• Excessive, hard contact caused by a player in an effort to play the ball or an opponent.

Article 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 

Article 37.2.4    If a player is disqualified under Art. 37.2.3, that unsportsmanlike foul shall be the only foul to be penalised and no additional penalty for the disqualification shall be administered.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. The illegal contact created by Yellow 4 meets the criteria to be called as an Unsportsmanlike Foul as it was an excessive hard contact. Moreover, as this was the second UF committed by Yellow 4, this player shall be disqualified for the remainder of the game. Black 6 shall attempt 2 free throws with no line up followed by a Black team throw-in at the throw-in line and 14 seconds on the shot clock.

No additional penalty for the disqualification shall be administered.

Tough Call 3: Hereda San Pablo Burgos vs Happy Casa Brindisi - Foul in the Act of Shooting

Black 11 receives the ball under the basket. He grabs the ball with his right foot on the floor, then he puts his left foot on the floor, and steps again with his right foot. He then starts his shooting movement and there is a contact created by White 33. The referee calls a personal foul, says that the basket is valid and Black 11 will attempt one free throw. 

Article 15.1.2 Bullet 1   The act of shooting on a shot:

• Begins when the player starts, in the judgement of a referee, to move the ball upwards towards the opponents’ basket.

Outcome: Incorrect decision from the referees. There is an illegal contact created by White 33, pushing Black 11 from behind. As a consequence of this contact, Black 11 moves illegally forward before scoring the basket. The basket cannot be valid. However, his act of shooting had already started. Therefore, Black 11 should have been awarded 2 free throws.

Tough Call 4: Bakken Bears vs Dinamo Sassari - UF

Green 20 steals the ball and tries to start a fast break. Black 7 creates a contact, grabbing his opponent around his waist. The referees call an Unsportsmanlike Foul.

Article 37.1.1 Bullet 1   An unsportsmanlike foul is a player contact which, in the judgement of a referee is:

• Contact with an opponent and not legitimately attempting to directly play the ball within the spirit and intent of the rules.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. Green 20 shall attempt 2 free throws with no line up followed by a Green team throw-in at the throw-in line and 14 seconds on the shot clock.

Tough Call 5: AEK vs Cholet - Goal Tending

Red 20 is making a lay-up and he gets fouled. When the ball is in the air to the basket, Yellow 2 blocks the shot. The referees award 2 free throws to Red 20. The Red team asks for the basket to be valid. 

Article 31.2.1  Goaltending occurs during a shot for a field goal when a player touches the ball while it is completely above the level of the ring and:

• It is on its downward flight to the basket

Official Interpretation 31-14     A1 attempts a shot for a field goal. The ball is touched by A2 or B2 at its highest point, above the level of the ring.

Interpretation: This is a legal play by A2 or B2. The ball is illegally touched only after it has reached its highest point and started its downward flight.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. The ball was not on its downward flight to the basket. Red 20 shall attempt 2 free throws.