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: Unicaja vs Le Mans - Offensive Foul

White 1 is dribbling the ball being guarded by Green 6. The referee calls a defensive foul to Green 6

Art. 33.14          Holding is illegal personal contact with an opponent that interferes with his/her freedom of movement. This contact (holding) can occur with any part of the body.

Outcome: Incorrect decision from the referees. The illegal contact was created by White 1, grabbing the defender’s right arm. An offensive foul should have been called.

Tough Calls 2: Unicaja vs Le Mans - Offensive Foul

White 1 is dribbling the ball being guarded by Green 6. The referee calls an offensive foul to White 1

Art. 33.14          Holding is illegal personal contact with an opponent that interferes with his/her freedom of movement. This contact (holding) can occur with any part of the body.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. The illegal contact was created by White 1, grabbing the defender’s right arm. Offensive foul.

Tough Call 3: MHP RIESEN vs King Szczecin - Blocking Foul

Blue 12 drives towards the opponents’ basket, jumps off the floor, passes the ball and a contact occurs against Yellow 9. The referee calls an offensive foul to Blue 12

Art 33.3              A defensive player has established an initial legal guarding position when:

• He is facing his/her opponent, and
• He has both feet on the court.

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

An opponent may not move into the path of a player after that player has jumped into the air.

Outcome: Incorrect decision from the referees. When Blue 12 jumped into the air Yellow 9 had not established a legal guarding position yet. A blocking foul to Yellow 9 should have been called.

Tough Call 4: Banco di Sardegna Sassari vs AEK BETSSON - Blocking Foul

Black 52 drives towards the opponents’ basket and a contact occurs with White 25. The referees call a blocking foul to White 25.

Art 33.3              A defensive player has established an initial legal guarding position when:

• He is facing his/her opponent, and
• He has both feet on the court.

Art. 33.4             When judging a charge/block situation involving a player with the ball, a referee shall use the following principles:

• The defensive player must establish an initial legal guarding position by facing the player with the ball and having both feet on the court.
• The defensive player may remain stationary, jump vertically, move laterally or backwards in order to maintain the initial legal guarding position.

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. White 25 had not established a legal guarding position yet as he was still moving when contact occurred. Blocking foul.

Tough Call 5: Peristeri bwin vs Falco Vulcano Szombathely - Charge

Black 7 drives towards the opponents’ basket and a contact occurs with Yellow 24. The referees call an offensive foul for charging to Black 7.

Art 33.3              A defensive player has established an initial legal guarding position when:

• He is facing his/her opponent, and
• He has both feet on the court.

Art. 33.4             When judging a charge/block situation involving a player with the ball, a referee shall use the following principles:

• The defensive player must establish an initial legal guarding position by facing the player with the ball and having both feet on the court.
• The defensive player may remain stationary, jump vertically, move laterally or backwards in order to maintain the initial legal guarding position.
• Contact must occur on the torso; in which case the defensive player would be considered as having been at the place of contact first

Outcome: Correct decision from the referees. Yellow 24 had established a legal guarding position and the contact occurred on his torso.