MIES (Switzerland) - Experts analyze all BCL games each week. In order to improve the understanding of referees' decisions and to increase transparency, we publish some of those Tough Calls, along with an explanation.
TC1: AEK Betsson BC vs. Unicaja - Goaltending
Yellow #33 makes a layup, which is blocked by Green #2. The referee calls a goaltending violation.
Article 31.2.1: Goaltending occurs during a shot for a goal when a player touches the ball while it is completely above the level of the ring and:
It is on its downward flight to the basket, or
After it has touched the backboard.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referee. The ball had already touched the backboard when Green #2 blocked the shot. Yellow #33 shall be awarded two points.
TC2: Galatasaray vs. Unicaja - Defensive Foul
Green #6 controls the ball when a contact occurs between White #7 and Green #55. The referees call a defensive foul to White #7.
Article 33.5: A player who does not control the ball is entitled to move freely on the court and take any position not already occupied by another player.
When guarding a player who does not control the ball, the elements of time and distance shall apply.
A defensive player cannot take a position so near and/or so quickly in the path of a moving opponent that they do not have sufficient time or distance to either stop or change direction.
The distance is directly proportional to the speed of the opponent, but never less than one normal step.
If a defensive player does not respect the elements of time and distance in taking an initial legal guarding position and contact with an opponent occurs, that player is responsible for the contact.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referees. White #7 did not respect the elements of time and distance of Green #55 and was moving when the contact occurred.
TC3: La Laguna Tenerife vs. AEK Betsson BC - High five
Black #1 attempts a three-point shot guarded by Yellow #21. The referee calls a foul in the act of shooting and awards three free throws to Black #1.
Article 33.11: The touching of an opponent with the hand(s) is, in itself, not necessarily a foul.
The referees shall decide whether the player who caused the contact has gained an advantage. If contact caused by a player in any way restricts the freedom of movement of an opponent, such contact is a foul.
Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referees.
The minor contact created by Yellow #21 on the palm of the shooter once the ball had been released for the shot did not have any impact on Black #1's shot and should not be called as a foul as it is a 'high five' situation: a minor contact in the palm, from the front, created after the shooter's follow-through has ended.
TC4: AEK Betsson BC vs. Unicaja - Cylinder Play
Yellow #24 is guarding Green #2 and a contact occurs. The referees call a personal foul to Yellow #24.
Yellow team head coach requests a head coach challenge for an eventual act of violence. After the review the referees do not find any evidence for such an act of violence.
Article 33.1: The defensive player may not enter the cylinder of the offensive player with the ball and cause an illegal contact when the offensive player is attempting a normal basketball play within the cylinder.
The boundaries of the cylinder of the offensive player with the ball are:
The front by the feet, bent knees and arms, holding the ball above the hips,
The rear by the buttocks, and
The sides by the outer edge of elbows and legs.
The offensive player with the ball must be allowed enough space for a normal basketball play within the cylinder. The normal basketball play includes starting a dribble, pivoting, shooting and passing.
F-3.3.23: An act of violence is an act of force that causes or is intended to cause harm, or an act that results or could result in a risk of injury.
An act that does not meet the criteria of a disqualifying foul or an unsportsmanlike foul, a technical foul, or does not meet the criteria for a threatened violence is not an act of violence.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referees. Yellow #24 encroached Green #2's cylinder, restricting his freedom of movement in a normal basketball action.
Then, there is no contact that met any of the criteria to be considered an act of violence by Green #2.