Tough Calls

Each week, experts are analysing the games. In order to improve the understanding of referees' decisions and to increase the transparency towards our fans, we publish some of those "tough calls", together with an explanation.

Please find below the latest "tough calls":

Tough Call 1 - Act of shooting attempts by offensive players spreading their legs to create contact

During an offense by the Yellow team, 12 Yellow throws a long pass to 13 Yellow in the corner and, as he attempts to shoot under pressure from 11 Blue, he spreads his legs to contact the defensive player but no call was made by the officials. The rebound is gathered by the Blue team and a quick offense by 11 Blue defended by 4 Yellow results in 11 Blue attempting a 3 point shot as he spreads his legs creating contact with defender 4 Yellow. The officials incorrectly call the foul on defender 4 Yellow as the illegal contact was created in both cases by the shooter.

Outcome: One correct decision and one incorrect one by the referees.

Tough Call 2 - Basket interference by defensive player on goal attempt, pushing his hand up through the basket from below

During an Orange team offense, 8 Orange receives the ball and penetrates to the basket. As his lay-up shot is about to enter the basket, defender 45 Yellow jumps up and pushes out the ball from the basket by extending his arm up through the net from below. This is a violation and 2 points are credited to 8 Orange.

Outcome: Correct decision by the referees.

Tough Call 3 - Foul in transition caused by defensive player using two hands on his opponents waist called normal by officials

After a rebound, 12 White secures the ball and begins his transition towards his opponent’s basket, defended by 7 Blue. As 12 White speeds past his opponent, 7 Blue grabs 12 White with both hands around his waist. The official incorrectly calls a normal foul. This is an unsportsmanlike foul according to Art.37, not a legitimate attempt to play directly the ball.

Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referees.

Tough Call 4 - Excessive contact on defender by shooting player not called as an unsportsmanlike foul

During an offense by the Blue team, after a number of passing actions, 4 Blue receives the ball and jumps to shoot under pressure from defender 12 White. After releasing the shot for goal, 4 Blue uses his left elbow to cause excessive contact on the head of 12 White. The officials incorrectly call a normal foul and should have called an Unsportsmanlike foul for excessive contact.

Outcome: Incorrect decision by the referees.