05 October, 2021
15 May, 2022
14/01/2022
Tough Calls
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Tough Calls - Play-Ins, Week 2

MIES (Switzerland) - Each week, experts and referees observers are analysing the games. In order to improve the understanding of referees' decisions and 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: Lenovo Tenerife v Pinar Karsiyaka - Blocking foul

Black 8 is bouncing the ball near the centre line when Black 6 runs towards him to set a screen. A contact occurs and the referee calls a personal foul to Black 6.

Article 33.7         Illegal screening is when the player who is screening an opponent:

  • Did not respect the elements of time and distance of an opponent in motion when contact occurred.

If the opponent is in motion, the elements of time and distance shall apply. The screener must leave enough space so that the player who is being screened is able to avoid the screen by stopping or changing direction. The distance required is never less than 1 and never more than 2 normal steps.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. Black 6 committed a blocking foul on Yellow 6 because he didn’t respect the elements of time and distance.

 

Tough Call 2: Besiktas Icrypex v Hapoel U-NET Holon - Travelling

Blue 6 gets the ball on a rebound and passes it to Blue 23, who starts a drive to the basket. A contact occurs and the referee calls a foul in the act of shooting to Yellow 4.

Article 25.2.1     A player who catches the ball while he is progressing shall release the ball to start his dribble before his second step.

  • The first step occurs when one foot or both feet touch the floor after gaining control of the ball.
  • The second step occurs after the first step when the other foot touches the floor or both feet touch the floor simultaneously.

Outcome: Incorrect decision from the referees. Blue 23 gained the control of the ball with his left foot touching the floor (step 0 or gather step). His first step occurred when his right foot touched the floor and the second step when his left foot touched the floor again. The ball was released after his second step, so he committed a travelling violation.

 

Tough Call 3: PAOK v SIG Strasbourg - Charge 

White 6 drives to the basket to make a lay-up and a contact occurs. The referees call a charging foul to White 6.

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

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. Blue 5 set his position, outside the no-charge semicircle, before White 6 took off. Therefore, White 6 is responsible for the contact for invading Blue 5 cylinder.

 

Tough Call 4: PAOK v SIG Strasbourg - Foul in the Act of the shooting

Near to the end of the game, White 14 misses a 3-point shot, gets the rebound and attempts another 3-point shot. The referee calls a personal foul to Blue 23.

Article 33.2        During the game, each player has the right to occupy any position (cylinder) on the playing court not already occupied by an opponent. This principle protects the space on the floor which he occupied and the space above him when he jumps vertically within that space.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. Blue 23 invaded the shooter’s cylinder and created a contact against the shooter’s leg. White 14 shall be awarded 3 free throws.