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: Galatasaray MCT Technic vs. Pallacanestro Trieste - Charge
White #1 receives the ball in the low post whilst being guarded by Black #3. A contact occurs and the referee calls a blocking foul on Black #3.
Article 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.
Having established a legal guarding position, the defensive player may turn within the cylinder to avoid injury.
In any of the above situations, the contact shall be considered as having been caused by the player with the ball.
Article 33.8: Charging is illegal personal contact, with or without the ball, by pushing or moving into an opponent’s torso.
Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referee.
White #1 committed a charging foul on Black #3, who had established a legal guarding position and the contact occurred on his torso.
TC2: MLP Academics Heidelberg vs. Promitheas Patras BC Vikos Cola - Blocking foul
White #32 is dribbling when a contact with Blue #43 occurs. The referee calls a blocking foul on Blue #43.
Article 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.
Having established a legal guarding position, the defensive player may turn within the cylinder to avoid injury.
In any of the above situations, the contact shall be considered as having been caused by the player with the ball.
Article 33.9: Blocking is illegal personal contact which impedes the progress of an opponent with or without the ball.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referee.
Blue #43 created an illegal contact by blocking the path to the offensive player with his left leg. Blocking foul.
TC3: Galatasaray MCT Technic vs. Pallacanestro Trieste - Fake being fouled
Whilst White #10 is dribbling the ball, White #22 and Black #1 are moving, trying to get a good position on the court. The referee calls a foul on Black #22.
Article 33.14: Holding is illegal personal contact with an opponent that interferes with an opponent’s freedom of movement. This contact, holding, can occur with any part of the body
Article 33.16: Fake is any action by a player to simulate being fouled or to make theatrical exaggerated movements in order to create an opinion of being fouled and therefore gaining an advantage.
Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referee.
Black #1 did not commit any illegal action nor created any illegal contact on White #22. It was White #22 who first clamped, held, the defender, before raising his arm trying to give the impression of being fouled.
TC4: Spartak Office Shoes vs. SL Benfica - Unsportsmanlike foul
After setting a pick, White #22 rolls to the basket and receives the ball. Red #2 creates an illegal contact on White #22 and the referee calls an unsportsmanlike foul.
Article 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.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referee.
The contact created by Red #2 met one of the criteria to be considered an unsportsmanlike foul. White #22 shall attempt two free throws, with no lineup, and the game shall be resumed with a White team throw-in from the throw-in line opposite the scorers’ table and 14 seconds on the shot clock.