Tough Calls - Week 4

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. This week, the emphasis will be on Goaltending Fouls.

Please find below last week's "tough calls":

Tough Call 1: Block shot - No call

Red 8 drives to the basket and is blocked by White 22. The contact in the block is all ball and therefore legal. Also the ball is not in its downward flight when contacted by White 22. Outcome: correct decision by the referees.

Tough Call 2: Violation Goaltending

Red 22 makes a shot close to the basket. Defensive player White 22 blocks the shot close to the basket when ball is in its downward flight, the referee then calls a goaltending violation.
Goaltending occurs during a shot for a field goal, when a player touches the ball while it is completely above the level of the ring and is on its downward flight to the basket. Outcome: correct decision by the referees.

Tough Call 3: Goaltending and illegal defensive contact

Blue 22 is faking to make a shot, Yellow 13 jumps in the air and fouls Blue 22 in the act of shooting. Yellow 13 grasps the ring to prevent creating any excessive contact in the play, but the same time also blocks the shot by Blue 22.
A basket interference occurs when a player grasps the basket to play the ball. Therefore, a basket should be awarded to Blue 22 and, in addition, one free throw. All referees on the court are responsible to correct the wrong initial decision by one of the co-officials. Outcome: incorrect decision by the referees.

Tough Call 4: Violation Goaltending - IC decision

Red 23 goes to the basket and finishes his shot when White 15 blocks the shot. Although the ball is in its downward flight, it is not completely above the rim and therefore the block is legal.
Goaltending occurs during a shot for a field 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. Outcome: incorrect decision of the referees.

Tough Call 5: Defensive block foul - No call

Blue 0 drives to the basket and defensive player Yellow 0 is moving into the path of Blue 0 after he has jumped into air.
An opponent may not move into the path of a player after that player has jumped into the air. This is a blocking foul by defensive player Yellow 0. Outcome: incorrect decision of the referees.