MIES (Switzerland) - Each week, experts are analysing the games. In order to improve the understanding of referees' decisions and to increase the transparency towards our fans, we publish some of those "tough calls", together with an explanation.

Please find below last week's "tough calls":

Tough Call 1:  Hapoel Atsmon Holon vs Galatasaray nef - Head Coach's Challenge

With 12 seconds to the end of the game, White 32 makes a long pass. The ball goes out-of-bounds, and the referee decides that the last player to touch the ball on the court was Red 22. The White Team Head Coach requests a time out and he requests his Head Coach’s Challenge to review the out-of-bounds decision.

F.3.2     The following game situations may be reviewed when the game clock shows 2:00 minutes or less in the fourth quarter and in each overtime:

• To identify the player who has caused the ball to go out-of-bounds.

F.2.3      For the use of the IRS the following procedure shall apply:

• The review shall take place before time-outs or substitutions are administered,
  an interval of play starts, or the game is resumed.
• After the final decision is communicated, either head coach may request a time-
  out or may withdraw it, or any player may request a substitution.

F.4.2      For the head coach’s challenge the following procedure shall apply:

              *  Only the game situations as in the Appendix F.3 may be challenged.

* The time restrictions within Appendix F.3 do not apply. The head coach’s
challenge may be requested at any time in the game

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. The review took place before the time-out was granted. After the review, the referees changed their decision and awarded a throw-in to the Red Team as they identified White 24 as the last player to touch the ball before it went out-of-bounds. The White team Head Coach withdrew his time-out request after the review.

Tough Call 2: Pinar Karsiyaka vs Reggio Emilia - Head Coach's Challenge

The ball goes out of bounds and the referees decide that the last player to touch the ball on the court was White 3. The White team Head Coach requests his Head Coach’s Challenge to review the decision.

Article 23.1.2    The ball is out-of-bounds when it touches:
• A player or any other person who is out-of-bounds.

Article 23.2.2    If the ball is out-of-bounds because of touching or being touched by a player who is on or outside the boundary line, this player caused the ball to go out-of-bounds.

F.3.2     The following game situations may be reviewed When the game clock shows 2:00 minutes or less in the fourth quarter and in each overtime:

• To identify the player who has caused the ball to go out-of-bounds.

F.4.2      For the head coach’s challenge the following procedure shall apply:

              *  Only the game situations as in the Appendix F.3 may be challenged.

* The time restrictions within Appendix F.3 do not apply. The head coach’s
challenge may be requested at any time in the game

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. A head coach can request a head coach’s challenge in one of the reviewable play situations stated in Appendix F.3. To do so, he/she shall establish visual contact with the nearest referee and ask clearly for his/her head coach`s challenge. He/she shall say loudly in English “challenge” and at the same time show the head coach’s challenge signal (drawing a rectangular with their hands).

During the review, the referees watched conclusive evidence that White 3 touched the ball from the court and that the ball touched Red 20 when this player was outside the court, so the Red team were responsible for the out of bounds. The ball was awarded to the White team for a throw-in.

Tough Call 3:

Pinar Karsiyaka vs Reggio Emilia - Head Coach's Challenge

The ball goes out of bounds and the referees decide that the last player to touch the ball on the court was Red 31. The Red team Head Coach requests his Head Coach’s Challenge to review the decision.

Article 23.1.2    The ball is out-of-bounds when it touches:
• A player or any other person who is out-of-bounds.

Article 23.2.1    The ball is caused to go out-of-bounds by the last player to touch or be touched by the ball before it goes out-of-bounds

F.3.2     The following game situations may be reviewed When the game clock shows 2:00 minutes or less in the fourth quarter and in each overtime:

• To identify the player who has caused the ball to go out-of-bounds.

F.4.2      For the head coach’s challenge the following procedure shall apply:

              *  Only the game situations as in the Appendix F.3 may be challenged.

* The time restrictions within Appendix F.3 do not apply. The head coach’s
challenge may be requested at any time in the game

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. A head coach can request a head coach’s challenge in one of the reviewable play situations stated in Appendix F.3. To do so, he/she shall establish visual contact with the nearest referee and ask clearly for his/her head coach`s challenge. He/she shall say loudly in English “challenge” and at the same time show the head coach’s challenge signal (drawing a rectangular with their hands).

During the review, the referees watched conclusive evidence that Red 31 was the last player to touch the ball before it went out of bounds.  The ball was awarded to the White team for a throw-in.

Tough Call 4: Legia Warszawa vs Filou Oostende - Travelling

White 4 is dribbling the ball when he slips and falls to the floor. White 4 stands up while holding the ball and the referee calls a travelling violation.

Article 25.2.2    A player falling, lying, or sitting on the court:
•             It is legal when a player falls and slides on the court while holding the ball or, while lying or sitting on the court, gains control of the ball.
•             It is a violation if the player then rolls or attempts to stand up while holding the ball

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. White 4 stood up while holding the ball.