MIES (Switzerland) - Experts analyze all Basketball Champions League, powered by Ameresco SUNEL 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: Bnei Penlink Herzliya vs. Tofas Bursa - Offensive Foul
During a 1v1 in low post play, there is a contact between White #3 and Blue #35. The referee decides that there is not any reason to call a personal foul.
Article 33.1: The offensive player cannot spread the legs or arms outside of the cylinder and cause an illegal contact with the defensive player in order to gain an additional space.
Play description: While pivoting, White #3 moves the ball from side to side, from high to low, using vertical forearms, which is a normal basketball play.
However, he creates an illegal contact to Blue #35 face with his right forearm. The defender was always respecting the cylinder of the offensive player with the ball.
Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referees. White #3 illegally contacted Blue #35 face and therefore he committed a team control foul.
TC2: Karditsa Iaponiki vs. Mersin Sports Club - Team Control
Black #9 shoots and the ball misses the rim. When trying to regain the control of the ball, Black #0 pushes White #2 and the referee calls the foul, awarding two free throws to White #2.
Article 41.2.1: When a team is in the team foul penalty situation, all following player personal fouls committed on a player not in the act of shooting shall be penalized by two free throws, instead of a throw-in.
The player on whom the foul was committed shall attempt the free throws.
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.
Article 14.1.3: Team control ends when:
An opponent gains control.
The ball becomes dead.
The ball has left the player's hand(s) on a shot for a goal or for a free throw.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referee. The Black team lost the control of the ball when the ball left Black #9 hands on the shot.
Therefore, the contact created by Black #0 on White #2 is NOT a team control foul and the team foul penalty rules applies: two free throws for White #2.
TC3: Elan Chalon vs. ALBA BERLIN - Unsportsmanlike Foul
Red #8 makes a long pass to Red #5 and a contact occurs between Red #5 and Yellow #13. The referee calls a personal foul to Yellow #13.
Then, the crew chief decides to communicate within the officiating crew to check if the contact should be called as an unsportsmanlike foul. After the talk, the decision is to call an unsportsmanlike foul by Yellow #13.
Article 37.1.1: An unsportsmanlike foul is a player contact which is:
An illegal contact caused by a player from behind or laterally on an opponent, who is progressing towards the opponent’s basket and with no opponents between the progressing player and the basket, and
the progressing player is in control of the ball, or
the progressing player is attempting to gain control of the ball, or
the ball has been released on a pass to the progressing player.
This applies until the offensive player starts the act of shooting.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referees. The contact met one of the four criteria to be considered an unsportsmanlike foul, as Yellow #13 created an illegal contact from behind on an opponent who was progressing towards the opponents’ basket after the ball had been released on the pass by Red #8.
TC4: Bnei Penlink Herzliya vs. Tofas Bursa - Correct No Calls
Blue #15 tries to make a layup, which he misses and players from both teams try to get the rebound. Finally, White #8 gets the ball and starts a transition, passing the ball to White #3, who tries to make a dunk, which is unsuccessful.
The referees do not call any foul on both sides of the court.
Article 34.1.1: A personal foul is a player’s illegal contact with an opponent, whether the ball is live or dead.
Outcome: Correct decisions by the referees as there was no illegal personal contact by the defenders on both actions.