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: Lenovo Tenerife vs Cholet Basket - Backcourt Violation

Black 3 makes a long pass from his backcourt to his frontcourt. White 31 jumps from his frontcourt, gets the control of the ball in the air before landing in his backcourt. The referees let the play continue.

Art. 30.1.2 A team in control of a live ball in the frontcourt has illegally returned the ball to its backcourt, if a player of that team is the last to touch the ball in his/her frontcourt and the ball is then first touched by a player of that team:

• Who has part of his/her body in contact with the backcourt, or
• After the ball has touched the backcourt of that team.

This restriction applies to all situations in a team's frontcourt, including throw-ins. However, it does not apply to a player who jumps from his/her frontcourt, establishes a new team control while still airborne and then lands with the ball in his/her team’s backcourt.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. White 31 establishes a new team control while airborne after jumping from his frontcourt and then lands with the ball in his backcourt. This is a legal play.

Tough Call 2: Falco Vulcano Szombathely vs Unicaja - Backcourt Violation

Green 55 attempts a 3-point shot. The ball rebounds from the ring, Green 45 taps the ball to his backcourt, where it is controlled again by Green 55. The referees let the play continue.

Art. 30.1.2 A team in control of a live ball in the frontcourt has illegally returned the ball to its backcourt, if a player of that team is the last to touch the ball in his/her frontcourt and the ball is then first touched by a player of that team:

• Who has part of his/her body in contact with the backcourt, or
• After the ball has touched the backcourt of that team.

Article 14.1.3 Team control ends when:

• The ball has left the player's hand(s) on a shot for a goal or for a free throw.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. The Green team lost the control of the ball when the ball left Green 55’s hands on the shot for a 3-point goal and the Green team only regained it when Green 55 let it rest in his hand. Legal play.

Tough Call 3: Falco Vulcano Szombathely vs Unicaja - Backcourt Violation

The Green team is in control of the ball in their frontcourt. Green 7 makes a pass, which is deflected by Yellow 11. Green 55 moves to recover the ball. The referees let the play continue.

Art. 30.1.2 A team in control of a live ball in the frontcourt has illegally returned the ball to its backcourt, if a player of that team is the last to touch the ball in his/her frontcourt and the ball is then first touched by a player of that team:

• Who has part of his/her body in contact with the backcourt, or
• After the ball has touched the backcourt of that team.

Outcome: Incorrect decision from the referees. Green 55 was the last player to touch the ball in his frontcourt and also, the first player to touch the ball after the ball touched the Green team’s backcourt. This is a backcourt violation.

Tough Call 4: Bertram Derthona Tortona vs UCAM Murcia - Personal Foul

White 32 gets the control of the ball and starts a transition. Red 14 creates an illegal contact and the referees call a personal foul.

Article 37.1.1 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.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. Red 14 made an attempt to play the ball but he created an illegal contact with his hand on the opponent. This is a personal foul.

Tough Call 5: Galatasaray EKMAS vs PAOK mateco - Unsportsmanlike Foul

Black 10 drives to the basket and a contact created by White 9 occurs. One of the referees calls a personal foul. After a short talk among the referees, they decide to upgrade it to an unsportsmanlike 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. White 9’s action, tripping his opponent, is not a legitimate attempt to directly play the ball within the spirit and intent of the rules. This is an unsportsmanlike foul.