MIES (Switzerland) - Experts analyze all BCL games each week. In order to improve the understanding of referees' decisions and to increase transparency towards our fans, we publish some of those 'tough calls', together with an explanation.

Tough Call 1: UCAM Murcia vs Unicaja - Blocking Foul

White 8 drives to the basket and jumps to make a lay-up. A contact with Red 18 occurs. The referees call a foul to White 8 (charging without the ball) and award the basket as the ball had been released for the shot when the contact occurred.

Article 33.6        A player who has jumped into the air from a place on the court has the right to land on another place on the court provided that the landing place and the direct path between the take-off and landing place is not already occupied by an opponent(s) at the time of take-off.

Outcome:            Incorrect decision from the referees. Red 18 created an illegal contact as he was still moving when White 8 jumped off and Red 18 occupied a place on the court that was free at the moment when White 8 took off. White 8 should have been awarded 2 points and he shall attempt 1 free throw.

Tough Call 2: AEK vs Hapoel Bank Yahav Jerusalem - Blocking Foul

Red 0 drives to the basket and makes a lay-up. A contact with Yellow 25 occurs. One referee calls an offensive foul to Red 0 for charging an opponent while another referee calls a blocking foul to Yellow 25. The ball enters the basket. After a brief discussion, they decide to stay with the blocking foul.

Article 33.6        A player who has jumped into the air from a place on the court has the right to land on another place on the court provided that the landing place and the direct path between the take-off and landing place is not already occupied by an opponent(s) at the time of take-off.

Outcome:            Correct decision from the referees. Yellow 25 created an illegal contact as he was still moving when Red 0 jumped off and Yellow 25 occupied a place on the court that was free at the moment when Red 0 took off. This is a blocking foul. Red 0 will be awarded 2 points and he shall attempt 1 free throw.

Tough Call 3: SIG Strasbourg vs Telekom Baskets Bonn - Blocking Foul

White 6 rolls to the basket and after receiving the ball he makes a lay-up. A contact with Blue 4 occurs and the referees call a blocking foul to Blue 4.

Article 33.4        When judging a charge/block situation involving a player with the ball, a referee shall use the following principles:
• The defensive player must establish an initial legal guarding position by facing the player with the ball and having both feet on the court.
• The defensive player may remain stationary, jump vertically, move laterally or backwards in order to maintain the initial legal guarding position.
• When moving to maintain the initial legal guarding position, one foot or both feet may be off the court for an instant, as long as the movement is lateral or backwards, but not towards the player with the ball.
• Contact must occur on the torso, in which case the defensive player would be considered as having been at the place of contact first.
• Having established a legal guarding position, the defensive player may turn within his/her cylinder to avoid injury.

Outcome:            Correct decision from the referees. The contact did not occur on the defender’s torso, so Blue 4 is not considered as having been at the place of contact first. This is a blocking foul. White 6 will be awarded 2 free throws.

Tough Call 4: UCAM Murcia vs Unicaja - Offensive Foul

Red 25 is dribbling the ball being guarded by White 55. The referee calls an offensive foul to Red 25 for pushing.

Article 33.11     It is a foul by an offensive player with the ball to:
• 'Push off' the defensive player to prevent him/her from playing or attempting to play the ball, or to create more space for himself.

Outcome:           Correct decision from the referees. The game will be resumed with a White team throw-in.