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', along with an explanation.

Tough Call 1:  AEK BETSSON BC v Banco di Sardegna Sassari - Unsportsmanlike Foul

Green 3 catches the ball on a rebound being closely guarded by Black 7. The referees call a team control foul to Green 3. After a short discussion, they decide to review the situation in the IRS. Finally, they upgrade Green 3’s foul to unsportsmanlike foul.

OBRI 36-15: Serious injury may occur by excessive swinging of elbows, especially in the rebounding and closely guarded player situations. If such actions result in contact, then a personal foul, an unsportsmanlike foul or even a disqualifying foul may be called. If the actions do not result in contact, a technical foul may be called.

Art. 37.1.1: An unsportsmanlike foul is a player contact which, in the judgement of a referee is.:
• Excessive, hard contact caused by a player in an effort to play the ball or an opponent.

Outcome: Correct final decision by the referees after the IRS review.  Black 7 will attempt two free throws with no line-up and the game will be resumed with a Black team throw-in from the throw-in line in their frontcourt and 14 seconds on the shot clock.

Tough Call 2: King Szczecin v MHP RIESEN Ludwigsburg - Blocking Foul

White 3 drives to the opponents’ basket, jumps into the air and a contact occurs against Black 13. The referees call a personal foul to White 3 for charging without the ball.

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

Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referee. Black 13 committed a blocking foul since the place of the court where the contact occurred was free at the time of White 3’s take-off.

Tough Call 3:  Hapoel Holon v Telekom Baskets Bonn - Landing Foul

White 5 attempts a three-point shot while Purple 16 tries to block it. The referee calls a foul in the act of shooting to Purple 16. Team Bonn's head coach challenged the decision for un upgrade to unsportsmanlike foul.

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

Outcome:  Correct decision by the referee. Purple 16 created an illegal contact with his foot on the shooter's foot during the landing as this spot wasn't occupied at the moment of the shooter’s take-off. When reviewing the IRS, the referees couldn't find any criteria to upgrade the personal foul to unsportsmanlike. White 5 shall attempt 3 free throws.

Tough Call 4: Peristeri bwin v Le Mans Sarthe Basket - Charge

Black 3 tries to make a lay-up and a contact occurs with Yellow 2. The referee calls a blocking foul to Yellow 2

Article 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.

Article 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: Incorrect decision by the referee. Yellow 2 had established a legal guarding position before Black 3’s take-off and the contact occurred on the torso of Yellow 2. Charge.