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 Tofas Bursa - Foul in the Act of shooting

Yellow 10 receives the ball and attempts a 3-point jump shot. After the ball is released, the referee calls a personal foul to Blue 7.

Article 33.6: A player who has jumped into the air from a place on the playing court has the right to land again at the same place.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. Blue 7 occupied the landing spot of an airborne shooter, taking the place on the playing court from where the airborne shooter took off. 3 points for Yellow 10 plus he is awarded 1 free throw.

Tough Call 2: U-BT Cluj-Napoca v MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg - Basketball interference

Black 12 drives to basket for a lay-up and White 30 tries to block the shot, hitting the backboard. There is no call from the referees and the White Team get the rebound.

Article 25.2.1    To start a dribble, the pivot foot may not be lifted before the ball is released from the hand(s).

Article 31.2.4: Interference occurs when:

• A player causes the basket to vibrate or grasps the basket in such a way that, in the judgement of a referee, the ball has been prevented from entering the basket or has been caused to enter the basket.

Outcome: Incorrect decision from the referees. First, Black 12 lifted his pivot foot (right foot) before releasing the ball to start his dribble. This is a travelling violation that should have been called.

White 30 hit the backboard in such a way that he caused the basket to vibrate when the ball still had an opportunity to enter the basket. This is a basket interference, and 2 points should have been awarded to Black 12.

Tough Call 3: Lenovo Tenerife v Tofas Bursa - Goal tending

Yellow 9 attempts a lay-up and the shot is blocked by Blue 23. The referees call a goaltending violation.

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:

• The ball is on its downward flight to the basket, or
• After the ball has touched the backboard.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. The ball had already touched the backboard and was completely above the level of the ring when Blue 23 blocked it. Yellow 9 was correctly awarded 2 points.