20 October, 2020
09 May, 2021
05/03/2021
Tough Calls
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Tough Calls - Play-Offs Gameday 1

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: Hereda San Pablo Burgos vs VEF Riga - Special situations

White 3 contacts dribbler Black 1 and the illegal contact is called with a personal foul, White 3 and White team first foul in the quarter. While Black 1 continues the penetration to the basket, White 3 hits and grabs Black 1’s right arm. There was no call on this second action. 

Article 42.1 In the same stopped-clock period which follows an infraction, special situations may arise when additional infraction(s) are committed.

Outcome: Incorrect decision from the referees. The second contact created by White 3 on Black 1 is not a legitimate attempt to directly play the ball within the spirit and intent of the rules, and it is also an excessive, hard contact, so it cannot be disregarded. A personal foul was charged on White 3, resulting in a throw-in for the Black team. Then, an unsportsmanlike foul should have been charged on White 3 and the game should have been resumed with 2 free throws for Black 1, followed by a throw-in from the throw-in line for the Black team and 14 seconds on the shot clock.

 

Tough Call 2: Igokea vs Lenovo Tenerife - Fake being fouled

Black 35 plays in the low post being guarded by White 32. With 5 seconds on the shot clock, the defender falls to the floor and the referees call a technical foul for faking being fouled. 

OBRI 36-18 (bullets 1- 3) Whenever a player fakes a foul, the following procedure shall apply:

  • Without stopping the game, the referee signals the fake by showing twice the ‘raise-the-lower-arm’ signal.
  • As soon as the game is stopped, a warning shall be communicated to the player and the head coach of this team. Both teams are each entitled to 1 warning.
  • The next time any player of this team fakes a foul, a technical foul shall be called.

Article 36.3.2 The opponents shall be awarded 1 free throw. The game shall be resumed as follows:

  • The free throw shall be administered immediately. After the free throw, the throw-in shall be administered by the team which had control of the ball or was entitled to the ball when the technical foul was called, from the place nearest to where the ball was located when the game was stopped.

Article 50.4 The shot clock shall be reset clock to 14 seconds when:

  • The same team that previously had control of the ball is awarded a frontcourt throw-in and 13 seconds or less are displayed on the shot clock:
    • As the result of a foul or violation.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. White team had already received a warning for faking being fouled. Any Black team player shall attempt 1 free throw and the game will be resumed with a throw-in for the Black team from the place nearest to where the ball was located when the technical foul was called and 14 seconds on the shot clock.

 

Tough Call 3: Pinar Karsiyaka vs Tofas Bursa - Fake being fouled

Blue 0 attempts a 3 point field goal. His defender tries to block the shot without creating any contact with the shooter. Black 0, while still airborne, fakes being fouled in an excessive way. 

OBRI 36-18 (bullet 4) Whenever a player fakes a foul, the following procedure shall apply:

  • If an excessive fake without any contact occurs, a technical foul may be called immediately without a warning being given. 

Article 36.3.2 The opponents shall be awarded 1 free throw. The game shall be resumed as follows:

  • If neither team had control of the ball nor was entitled to the ball, a jump ball situation occurs.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. Blue 0 excessively faked being fouled. Any White team player shall attempt 1 free throw and the game will be resumed with an alternating possession throw-in as neither team had the control of the ball when the technical foul was called. 

 

Tough Call 4: Türk Telekom vs SIG Strasbourg - UF

Blue 9 receives the ball under the basket and attempts to score when the referee calls a personal foul to White 17. After the IRS review, the referees decide to upgrade the foul to an unsportsmanlike foul. 

F.3.3    The following game situations may be reviewed:

During any time of the game:

  • whether a personal, unsportsmanlike or disqualifying foul met the criteria for such a foul or shall be upgraded or downgraded or shall be considered as a technical foul.

Article 37.1.1 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. The grabbing by White 17 with his right hand on Blue 9 left arm cannot be considered a legitimate attempt to directly play the ball within the spirit and intent of the rules. The personal foul shall be upgraded to unsportsmanlike foul, Blue 9 shall be awarded 2 free throws followed by a Blue team throw-in from the throw-in line in their frontcourt and 14 seconds on the shot clock.

 

Tough Call 5: Hereda San Pablo Burgos vs VEF Riga - Travelling

Near to the end of the overtime, White team is on offence. White 0 is bouncing the ball and his teammate White 3 tries to play a pick-n-roll. Defender Black 20 avoids the screen, White 0 jumps to pass the ball but loses it. Black 14 gets the control of the ball and the referee calls a travelling violation. 

Article 25.2.1  A player may not touch the floor consecutively with the same foot or both feet after ending his dribble or gaining control of the ball.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. Black 14 established a new control for the Black team when he caught the ball while having his right foot on the floor. Then he lifted this foot and touched the floor again with the same foot. Travelling violation.  The game shall be resumed with a throw-in for the White Team from the place nearest to where the infraction was called in its front court. The shot clock shall be switched off because there is a new White team control and there are fewer than 14 seconds on the game clock.