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: Hapoel Maoz Daniel Holon vs. Cholet Basket - Disruptive Foul
Yellow #00 deflects the ball and tries to gain control. Black #79 causes illegal contact on Yellow #00’s legs and the referee calls a disruptive foul.
Article 37.1.1: A disruptive foul is a player’s illegal contact with an opponent which does not rise to the level of a flagrant foul, and which disrupts the flow of the game and places the opponent at a disadvantage. The criteria for disruptive fouls are the following:
An unnecessary contact caused by the defensive player, not legitimately attempting to directly play the ball, to stop the progress of the offensive team in transition. This applies until the offensive player starts the act of shooting.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referee, even though the initial signal was incorrect.
The signal for a disruptive foul is one raised arm with a clenched fist, followed by showing two fingers at face level. Yellow #00 shall attempt two free throws with no line-up, and play shall resume with a Yellow team throw-in from the frontcourt throw-in line, opposite the scorer’s table.
TC2: Rytas Vilnius vs. Sabah BC - Disruptive Foul, Foul in the Act of Shooting
After a successful free throw, White #13 makes a long pass to his teammate White #35. There is a contact between Black #7 and White #35 and the game continues.
Black #0 gains control of the ball and dribbles towards the opponents’ basket, ending the offense with a lay-up. The referee calls a flagrant foul on White #3 for what he considers hard, excessive contact in an effort to play the ball.
Article 37.1.1: A disruptive foul is a player’s illegal contact with an opponent which does not rise to the level of a flagrant foul, and which disrupts the flow of the game and places the opponent at a disadvantage. The criteria for disruptive fouls are the following:
An illegal contact caused by a player from behind or laterally on an opponent, who is progressing towards the opponent’s basket and with no opponents between the progressing player and the basket, and:
The progressing player is in control of the ball, or
The progressing player is attempting to gain control of the ball, or
The ball has been released on a pass to the progressing player.
This applies until the offensive player starts the act of shooting.
Outcome: First, incorrect decision by the referee.
The contact made by Black #7 on White #35 (contact on his back with his body and right leg) meets one of the criteria for a disruptive foul (2 free throws for White #35 and possession of the ball for the White team).
Second, the illegal contact by White #3 on Black #0 does not meet any of the criteria for a flagrant foul. It is a foul in the act of shooting. Black #0 basket should count and he should attempt 1 additional free throw.
TC3: Igokea m:tel vs. Surne Bilbao - Flagrant Foul
After an unsuccessful three-point goal attempt, White #3 gains control of the ball on the rebound. During his jump shot attempt, Black #18 makes illegal contact by pulling down White #3’s arm.
The referee calls a flagrant foul on Black #18.
Article 38.1.1: A flagrant foul is a player’s illegal contact with an opponent, which violates the spirit of sportsmanship and fair play, and by its nature and/or the severity level exceeds the limits of a personal or disruptive foul.
The criteria for flagrant fouls are the following:
Not a legitimate basketball play against an opponent, with or without a ball.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referee.
The contact made by Black #18 on White #3 meets one of the criteria for a flagrant foul. White #3 shall attempt two free throws with no line-up, and play shall resume with a White team throw-in from the frontcourt throw-in line, opposite the scorer’s table.
TC4: Cibona vs. Galatasaray MCT Technic - Foul Not in the Act of Shooting
Red #19 receives the ball from the throw-in and White #99 makes illegal contact with him. The referee calls a foul not in the act of shooting.
Article 15.1.2: The act of shooting on jump shots or other moving shots:
Starts when the player begins to move the shoulders and the ball upwards towards the opponents’ basket.
Outcome: Correct decision by the referee.
White #99’s contact occurs before Red #19 starts the act of shooting by moving his shoulders and the ball upwards towards the opponents’ basket.