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: Fitness First Wurzburg Baskets vs. Elan Chalon - Backcourt violation
The White team has control of the ball in its frontcourt. White #1 passes the ball to White #33, but the ball is deflected by Black #32. White #1 goes for the ball, touches it and starts a new dribble.
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: Incorrect decision by the referees.
This is a backcourt violation as White #1 was the last to touch the ball in the frontcourt, then the ball touches the backcourt followed by White #1 touching the ball again.
TC2: Galatasaray MCT Technic vs. Rytas Vilnius - Team control foul and fake being fouled
Red #3 dribbles the ball guarded by White #22. A contact occurs and the referee calls a technical foul to White #22 for fake being fouled.
Article 33.11: It is a foul by an offensive player with the ball to push off to:
Hook or wrap an arm or an elbow around a defensive player in order to obtain an advantage.
Push off the defensive player to prevent him/her from playing or attempting to play the ball, or to create more space for himself
Use an extended forearm or hand, while dribbling, to prevent an opponent from gaining control of the ball.
Article 33.16: Fake being fouled
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.
OBRI 36-12: Whenever a player fakes being fouled, the following procedure shall apply:
Without stopping the game, the referee signals the fake by showing twice the lower-the-forearm signal.
When the game is stopped the next time for any reason, a warning shall be communicated to the player and the head coach of the team. Each team is entitled to 1 fake being fouled warning.
When the next time any player of that team fakes being fouled, a technical foul shall be called. This also applies when the game was not stopped to communicate the earlier warning to any player or head coach of that team.
When an excessive fake without any contact occurs, a technical foul may be called immediately without a warning being given.
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: First, incorrect decision by the referee.
Red #3 committed a team control foul for pushing off his defender.
Then, correct decision by the referee as White #22 faked being fouled and the White team already had a warning for a similar action.
TC3: Le Mans Sarthe Basket vs. Hapoel Netanel Holon - Goaltending
Black #32 makes a layup and the shot is blocked by Yellow #15. The referee calls a goaltending violation.
Article 31.2.1: Goaltending occurs during a shot for a goal when a player touches the ball while it is completely above the level of the ring and:
It is on its downward flight to the basket, or
After it has touched the backboard.
Article 31.2.3: The goaltending restrictions apply until the ball:
No longer has the possibility to enter the basket.
Has touched the ring
Outcome: Correct decision by the referee.
The ball had already touched the backboard and still had the possibility to enter the basket when it was blocked. Black #32 is awarded two points.