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. Bertram Derthona Basket - BLOCKING FOUL
Orange #8 is dribbling the ball when a contact occurs off-the-ball between Orange #7 and Black #2. The referees call an offensive foul to Orange #7.
Article 33.7: Illegal screening is when the player who is screening an opponent:
Was moving when contact occurred.
Did not respect the elements of time and distance of an opponent in motion when 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.
Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referees. Black #2 committed a blocking foul as he did not respect the elements of time and distance, when setting the screen on a moving opponent, Orange #7.
TC2: NINERS Chemnitz vs. Bertram Derthona Basket - SHOOTER'S FOUL
Black #13 attempts a three-point shot while Orange #9 tries to block the shot. A contact occurs and the referees call a foul to the shooter, Black #13.
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.
Article 14.1.3: Team control ends when:
An opponent gains control.
The ball becomes dead.
The ball has left the player's hand(s) on a shot for a goal or for a free throw.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referees. Black #13 created an illegal contact, against Orange #9, by spreading his leg outside of his cylinder. This contact affected the freedom of movement of his opponent so a foul must be called.
However, the signal used by the referees, team control foul, was incorrect, as control of the ball by the Black team had already finished when the ball was released for the shot.
As the Black team was not in team fouls penalty, the game shall be resumed with an Orange team throw-in from the place nearest to where the foul occurred.
TC3: Falco-Vulcano Szombathely vs. WKS Slask Wroclaw - FOUL NOT IN THE ACT OF SHOOTING
Yellow #19 receives a pass and starts his dribble near the baseline. Green #6 tries to stop the dribble, and the referees call a blocking foul to Green #6. After the foul, Green #12 blocks the shot and the Yellow team asks for a goaltending violation.
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 referees. The foul was committed before the act of shooting started, as Yellow #19 was still dribbling when the contact occurred.
As the Green team was not in team fouls penalty, the game shall be resumed with a Yellow team throw-in from the place nearest to where the foul occurred. In this case, from behind the baseline, but not directly behind the backboard.