05 October, 2021
15 May, 2022
04/02/2022
Tough Calls
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Tough Calls - Round of 16, 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: Darussafaka v Nutribullet Treviso - Basketball interference

White 32 drives to the basket and makes a lay-up. In his attempt to block the shot, Blue 35 hits the backboard. The referees call a violation and award 2 points to White 32.

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: Correct decision from the referees. Defender Blue 35 made the basket vibrate and so preventing the ball from entering the basket when it still had the ability to do so. White 32 is awarded 2 points.

 

Tough Call 2: Unicaja v Filou Oostende - Offensive foul

Green 7 receives the ball in the low post and starts a drive to the basket. A contact occurs and the referee calls an offensive foul on Green 7.

Article 33.11 It is a foul by an offensive player with the ball to:

  • Hook or wrap an arm or elbow around a defensive player in order to obtain an advantage.

Article 33.12 The principle of verticality (cylinder principle) applies also to post play.

The offensive player in the post position and the defensive player guarding him must respect each other’s rights to a vertical position (cylinder).

It is a foul by an offensive or defensive player in the post position to shoulder or hip his opponent out of position or to interfere with his opponent’s freedom of movement by using extended arms, shoulders, hips, legs, or other parts of the body.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. Green 7 used his extended arm, outside of his cylinder, and created an illegal contact against his opponent. Offensive foul.

  

Tough Call 3: Rytas Vilnius v Falco Szombathely - Personal foul

White 18 receives a pass and starts his dribble. Defender, Black 9, extends his arm and a contact occurs. The referee calls a personal foul on Black 9.

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. Black 9 tried to reach for the ball in a normal basketball play. This is a personal foul. The White team will be awarded a throw-in at the place closest to the infraction and the shot clock will be reset to 14 seconds. 

  

Tough Call 4: Tofas Bursa v BAXI Manresa - Travelling

Red 12 receives the ball from a throw-in and starts a dribble. The referee calls a travelling violation.

Article 25.2.1 A player who catches the ball while he is progressing may take two steps in coming to a stop:

  • If a player lands with one foot, he may only pivot using that foot.
  • To start a dribble, the pivot foot may not be lifted before the ball is released from the hand(s).

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. Red 12 gained the control of the ball with both feet in the air. Then he touched the floor with his left foot (pivot foot) and then his right foot touched the floor. He lifted his pivot foot before releasing the ball to start his dribble. This is a travelling violation. 

 

Tough Call 5: SIG Strasbourg v Lenovo Tenerife - Unsportsmanlike foul

After a missed 3-point field goal attempt by Yellow 30, Yellow 42, and Blue 11 fight for the rebound. The referee calls a personal foul on Blue 11. The referee become uncertain if Blue 11’s foul meets the criteria to be considered as an unsportsmanlike foul, so the crew chief decides to use the IRS review. After the review, the personal foul is upgraded 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.

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.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. The contact created by Blue 11 is not a legitimate attempt to directly play the ball within the spirit and intent of the rules. Yellow 42 shall be awarded 2 free throws and the game shall be resumed with a Yellow Team throw-in from the throw-in line in their front court and 14 seconds on the shot clock.