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: NINERS Chemnitz vs. Manisa Basket - SHOT CLOCK VIOLATION
Orange #10 finishes his drive with a dunk. The referee calls a shot clock violation and cancels the basket.
Article 29.1.1: To constitute a shot for a goal within 24 seconds:
The ball must leave the player's hand(s) before the shot clock signal sounds
Article 29.1.2: When the backboard is equipped with yellow lighting along its perimeter at the top, the lighting takes precedence over the shot clock signal sound.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referee. When the yellow light flashed, Orange #10 was still in contact with the ball, so the Orange team did not shoot within 24 seconds.
TC2: Pallacanestro Reggiana vs. Telekom Baskets Bonn - TRAVELLING
After the screen, Pink #21 dives to the basket and receives the ball whilst he is moving. Trail referee calls a travelling violation and Lead referee calls a blocking foul, on White #16. After a short talk, the referees decide to call the travelling violation as it occurred first.
Article 25.2.1: A player who catches the ball while progressing, or upon completion of a dribble, may take two steps in coming to a stop, passing or shooting the ball:
After receiving the ball, a player shall release the ball to start the dribble before the second step.
The first step occurs when one foot or both feet touch the court after gaining control of the ball.
The second step occurs after the first step when the other foot touches the court or both feet touch the court simultaneously
Outcome: Correct decision by the referees. Pink #21 received the ball with his left foot on the floor, the so-called zero step or gather step, then he puts his right foot on the floor, step 1, and again his left foot on the floor, step 2, before releasing the ball to start his dribble. This is a travelling violation.
TC3: Maccabi Ramat-Gan vs. Falco-Vulcano Szombathely - FOUL IN THE ACT OF SHOOTING
White #3 receives the ball in the low post guarded by Black #5. He starts to dribble when the referee calls a foul in the act of shooting on Black #5.
Article 15.1.3: The act of shooting in a continuous movement on a drive to the basket or other moving shot:
Starts when the ball has come to rest in the player’s hand(s), upon completion of a dribble or a catch in the air and the player begins the shooting motion preceding the release of the ball for a goal.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referee. The ball was resting in White #3 right hand when the illegal contact, by Black #5, occurred. White #3 shall be awarded two free throws.
TC4: Filou Oostende vs. Nanterre 92 - ILLEGAL SCREEN
Yellow #16 makes a ghost screen and starts to dive to the basket when a contact with Green #6 occurs. The referees call a blocking foul on Green #6.
Article 33.7: Illegal screening is when the player who is screening an opponent:
Was moving when the contact occurred.
Did not give sufficient distance in setting a screen outside the field of vision of a stationary opponent when the contact occurred.
Did not respect the elements of time and distance of an opponent in motion when the contact occurred.
If the opponent is in motion, the elements of time and distance shall apply. The screener must leave enough space so that the player who is being screened is able to avoid the screen by stopping or changing direction.
The distance required is never less than 1 and never more than 2 normal steps.
Outcome: Correct decision. Green #6 did not respect the elements of time and distance when setting the screen on a moving opponent, Yellow #16. This is a blocking foul.