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: BK Opava v Rytas Vilnius - Foul in the Act of Shooting

Yellow 20 receives the ball and starts a dribble towards the opponents’ basket. A contact with Blue 12 occurs and the referees call a foul not in the act of shooting to Blue 12.

Article 15.1.3: The act of shooting in a continuous movement on a drive to the basket or other moving shot:

• Starts when the ball has come to rest in the player’s hand(s), upon completion of a dribble or a catch in the air and the player begins, in the judgment of the referee, the shooting motion preceding the release of the ball for a goal.

Article 25.2.1: A player who catches the ball while he/she is progressing, or upon completion of a dribble, may take two steps in coming to a stop, passing, or shooting the ball:

• If, after receiving the ball, a player shall release the ball to start his/her dribble before his/her second step.

• The first step occurs when one foot or both feet touch the court after gaining control of the ball.

• The second step occurs after the first step when the other foot touches the court or both feet touch the court simultaneously

Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referees. The foul committed by Blue 12 was on an opponent who had already started his act of shooting. There was no travelling violation by Yellow 20 as he grabbed the ball when his right foot was on the floor, and he used two steps before releasing the ball for the shot.  Therefore, 2 points should have been awarded to Yellow 20 and he should have attempted one free-throw.

Tough Call 2:  Promitheas Patras v JDA Dijon - Foul In The Act Of Shooting

Red 24 drives the ball and the referees call a foul on White 6. One of the referees understands the foul was not in the act of shooting while the other considers the foul in the act of shooting. After a short discussion, they decide that the foul was in the act of shooting and award three free throws to Red 24.

Article 15.1.3: The act of shooting in a continuous movement on a drive to the basket or other moving shot:

• Starts when the ball has come to rest in the player’s hand(s), upon completion of a dribble or a catch in the air and the player begins, in the judgment of the referee, the shooting motion preceding the release of the ball for a goal.

Outcome: Correct decision by the referees. Red 24 had already started his act of shotting when the foul occurred.

Tough Call 3: Filou Oostende v SIG Strasbourg - Offensive Illegal Use Of Arms

Yellow 9 starts a dribble towards the opponents’ basket being guarded by Blue 10.  He makes a lay-up, and the ball enters the basket. However, the referee calls an offensive foul to Yellow 9 for illegal use of arms.

Article 33.1: The offensive player cannot spread his/her legs or arms outside of his/her cylinder and cause an illegal contact with the defensive player in order to gain an additional space.

Article 41.2.2: If a personal foul is committed by a player of the team in control of the live ball, or of the team entitled to the ball, such a foul shall be penalized by a throw-in for the opponents.

Outcome: Correct decision by the referees. Yellow 9 created an illegal contact with his left arm on Blue 10 face when he was still with the ball in his hand. The basket must be cancelled, and the game shall be resumed with a Blue team throw-in from the free throw line extended.