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: Nanterre 92 vs. Rytas Vilnius - Disruptive Foul
White #22 gains control of the ball on the rebound and passes to White #13, who starts the transition. Black #0 makes illegal contact with White #13 and the referee calls a disruptive foul.
Article 37.1.1: A disruptive foul is a player’s illegal contact with an opponent which does not rise to the level of a flagrant foul, and which disrupts the flow of the game and places the opponent at a disadvantage.
The criteria for disruptive fouls are the following:
An unnecessary contact caused by the defensive player, not legitimately attempting to directly play the ball, to stop the progress of the offensive team in transition. This applies until the offensive player starts the act of shooting.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referee.
The contact created by Black #0 meets one of the criteria for the disruptive foul. White #13 shall attempt two free throws with no line-up and the game shall be resumed with a White team throw-in from the throw-in line in its frontcourt and 14 seconds displayed on the shot clock.
TC2: ALBA BERLIN vs. Igokea m:tel - Foul in the Act of Shooting
White #34 receives the ball, dribbles and starts a drive towards the opponents’ basket. The referee calls a foul on Blue #13 and makes the signal for a foul not in the act of shooting.
Article 15.1.3: The act of shooting in a continuous movement on drives to the basket: starts when the player has gathered the ball and it comes to rest in the player’s hand(s), upon completion of a dribble or a catch in the air and the player continues the shooting motion preceding the release of the ball for a goal.
Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referee. When the illegal contact occurs, White #34 has already gathered the ball and it has come to rest in his left hand, so it is a foul in the act of shooting.
White #34 should be awarded two free throws.
TC3: Itelyum Varese vs. Peristeri Betsson - Disruptive Foul
Blue #25 steals the ball and starts a fastbreak. White #13 makes illegal contact and the referee calls a disruptive foul.
Article 37.1.1: A disruptive foul is a player’s illegal contact with an opponent which does not rise to the level of a flagrant foul, and which disrupts the flow of the game and places the opponent at a disadvantage. The criteria for disruptive fouls are the following:
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 referee.
The contact made by White #13 meets one of the criteria for the disruptive foul. Blue #25 shall attempt two free throws with no line-up and the game shall be resumed with a Blue team throw-in from the throw-in line in its frontcourt and 14 seconds displayed on the shot clock.