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: Pallacanestro Reggiana vs. BAXI Manresa - Ball gone into frontcourt
White #0 receives the ball from a throw-in and starts to transition. He stops his dribble straddling the centre line, he then steps back before he passes the ball to White #5. The referees call an eight-second violation.
Article 28.1.1: Whenever:
A player in the backcourt gains control of a live ball, or
On a throw-in, the ball touches or is legally touched by any player in the backcourt and the team of that thrower-in remains in control of the ball in its backcourt, that team must cause the ball to go into its frontcourt within eight seconds.
Article 28.1.2: The team has caused the ball to go into its frontcourt whenever:
The ball, not in control of any player, touches the frontcourt.
The ball touches or is legally touched by an offensive player who has both feet completely in contact with the frontcourt.
The ball touches or is legally touched by a defensive player who has part of the body in contact with the backcourt.
The ball touches a referee who has part of the body in contact with the frontcourt of the team in control of the ball.
During a dribble from the backcourt to the frontcourt, the ball and both feet of the dribbler are completely in contact with the frontcourt.
Article 30.1.2: A team in control of a live ball in the frontcourt has illegally returned the ball to its backcourt, if a player of that team is the last to touch the ball in the frontcourt and the ball is then first touched by a player of that team:
Who has part of the body in contact with the backcourt, or
After the ball has touched the backcourt of that team
Outcome: Correct decisions by the referee. The White team hasn't caused the ball to go into its frontcourt, so there cannot be a backcourt violation.
Then, the ball was in the air when the eight-second period expired. Therefore, the White team had not caused the ball to go into its frontcourt within eight seconds.
TC2: Galatasaray vs. Unicaja - Shooter's foul
Black #19 receives a pass from the throw-in and attempts a two-point shot. A contact occurs with White #55, and the referee calls a personal foul on Black #19.
Article 33.2: 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: Correct decision by the referee. Black #19 created an illegal contact with an opponent by extending his leg outside of his cylinder.
As this was the Black team's fourth team foul in the quarter, the game shall be resumed with a White team throw-in from the place closest to where the foul occurred.
Had the Black team been in the team foul penalty, White #55 should have been awarded two free throws, as the Black team had already lost control of the ball when the foul was committed.
When calling the foul, the referee should first use the official FIBA signal number 2, 'stop the clock for a foul,' with straight arm and clenched fist.
TC3: Galatasaray vs. Unicaja - Unsportsmanlike foul
White #2 receives the ball while diving to the basket. Black #12 creates an illegal contact and the referee calls a personal foul in the act of shooting. After the call, the referees decide to use the IRS to check whether the contact created by Black #12 met one of the criteria to be considered as an Unsportsmanlike Foul.
Article 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: Incorrect initial decision, which was corrected after the IRS review.
The contact created by Black #12 met one of the criteria to be considered as an Unsportsmanlike Foul. White #2 shall be awarded two free throws, followed by a White team throw-in from the throw-in line in its frontcourt and 14 seconds on the shot clock.
TC4: Bertram Derthona Basket vs. Promitheas Patras BC Vikos Cola - Offensive foul
White #13 is dribbling the ball, guarded by Black #14. The referee calls a foul to Black #14.
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.
Article 33.14: Holding is illegal personal contact with an opponent that interferes with an opponent’s freedom of movement.
Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referee. The illegal contact was created by the dribbler White #13, and a team control foul, offensive foul, should have been called.