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.
Tough Call 1: AEK Betsson vs. Maccabi Ramat-Gan -- Contact created by the shooter
Blue 44 receives a pass and attempts a 3-point shot near the corner. A contact with Yellow 77 occurs and the referee calls a foul in the act of shooting to Yellow 77, awarding three free throws to Blue 44.
Art. 33.2: During the game, each player has the right to occupy any position (cylinder) on the court not already occupied by an opponent. This principle protects the space on the court which the player occupies and the space above when jumping vertically within that space.
When the player leaves the vertical position (cylinder) and body contact occurs with an opponent who had already established that player’s own vertical position (cylinder), the player who left the vertical position (cylinder) is responsible for the contact.
The defensive player must not be penalised for leaving the court vertically (within the cylinder) or having the hands and arms extended above and within that player’s own cylinder.
The offensive player, whether on the court or airborne, shall not cause contact with the defensive player in a legal guarding position by:
Using the arms to create more space (pushing off).
Spreading the legs or arms during or immediately after a shot for a goal.
Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referee. The contact was created by the shooter Blue 44 and had no effect on the opponent’s freedom of movement, so the game should have continued.
Tough Call 2: Filou Oostende vs. Unicaja -- Foul and Fake Being Fouled
Yellow 9 dribbles the ball guarded by Green 11. A contact occurs and the referee calls a foul to Green 11 and gives a warning for “faking being fouled” to Yellow 9.
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.
When moving to maintain the initial legal guarding position, one foot or both feet may be off the court for an instant, as long as the movement is lateral or backwards, but not towards the player with the ball.
Contact must occur on the torso; in which case the defensive player would be considered as having been at the place of contact first.
OBRI 36-12: All faking to be fouled situations shall be addressed, regardless of whether fouls or violations are called or not in the same situation.
A player may be charged with both a foul and a ‘fake a foul warning’ on any play, or the player who is fouled may also be charged with a ‘fake a foul warning’.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referee. Green 11 committed a blocking foul as the contact did not occur on his torso, but on his hip. However, Yellow 9 also faked being fouled by moving his head up without any valid reason or as a consequence of the contact created by the defender. The ‘fake being fouled’ warning shall apply to all the members of the Yellow team for the remainder of the game for any similar action, which if repeated, shall result in a technical foul.
Tough Call 3: UCAM Murcia vs.Manisa Basket -- Interference
On a rebound, White 55 taps to the ball towards the opponents’ basket. On the fight for the ball, Red 19 touches the net and gets the control of the ball.
Art. 31.2.4: Interference occurs when:
After a shot for a goal or the last free throw a player touches the basket or the backboard while the ball is in contact with the ring.
Art. 3: Baskets comprise rings and nets.
Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referees. When Red 19 touched the net (basket), the ball was in contact with the ring. Therefore, Red 19 committed an interference violation and 2 points should have been awarded to White 55.
Tough Call 4: Pallacanestro Reggiana vs. Rytas Vilnius -- Unsportsmanlike foul
Black 77 starts a transition and a contact with White 16 occurs. The referee calls a personal foul to White 16.
Art. 37.1.1: An unsportsmanlike foul is a player contact which is:
Contact with an opponent not legitimately attempting to directly play the ball within the spirit and intent of the rules.
An unnecessary contact caused by the defensive player in order to stop the progress of the offensive team in transition.
Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referee. The contact created by White 16 met the criteria to be considered as an Unsportsmanlike Foul. Black 77 should have been awarded two free throws with no line-up and the game should have been resumed with a Black team throw-in at the throw-in line opposite the scorers' table in the Black team front court and 14 seconds on the shot clock.
Tough Call 5: FIT/One Würzburg Baskets vs. Hapoel Netanel Holon -- Unsportsmanlike foul
Black 1 receives the ball under the basket. Yellow 4 creates a contact and the referee calls an unsportsmanlike foul.
Art. 37.1.1 An unsportsmanlike foul is a player contact which is:
Excessive, hard contact caused by a player in an effort to play the ball or an opponent.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referee. The contact created by Yellow 4 met one of the criteria to be considered as an unsportsmanlike foul. Black 1 shall attempt 2 free throws with no line-up and the game shall be resumed with a Black team throw-in at the throw-in line opposite the scorers’ table in the Black team front court and 14 seconds on the shot clock.