Tough Calls: January 13, 2026

The Tough Calls are sponsored by Fiziocentrs – a well known physiotherapy clinic in Latvia. The videos shown below will help to understand the game, referees and rules.

1. In White team offense, White 5 passes to White 44, the ball is touched by defender Red 11. The ball went back to back court of the White team. Referees call backcourt violation from White 44 side.

   
   

             FIBA OBRI 30. Ball returned to back court.

FIBA OBRI 30.1.1. A team is in control of a live ball in its frontcourt when:

* A player of that team is touching his frontcourt with both feet while holding,

catching or dribbling the ball in his frontcourt, or

* The ball is passed between the players of that team in its frontcourt.

FIBA OBRI 30.1.2. A team in control of a live ball in the frontcourt has caused the ball to be illegally returned to its backcourt, if a player of that team is the last to touch the ball in his frontcourt and the ball is then first touched by a player of that team:

* After the ball has touched the backcourt of that team.

Outcome: correct decision from the referees. After Red 11 touched a ball, White 44 touched a ball in frontcourt and was the first, who touched a ball in backcourt.

2. In Black team offense, Black 34 received a pass and started an act of shooting. Before he releases the ball, he crashes with defender Yellow 9. Referees call offensive foul by Black 34.

   
   

FIBA OBRI 33.3. Legal guarding position.

A defensive player has established an initial legal guarding position when:

* He is facing his opponent, and

* He has both feet on the floor.

FIBA OBRI 33.4. Guarding a player who controls the ball.

When guarding a player who controls (holding or dribbling) the ball, the elements of time and distance do not apply.

The player with the ball must expect to be guarded and must be prepared to stop or change his direction whenever an opponent takes an initial legal guarding position in front of him, even if this is done within a fraction of a second.

 When judging a charge/block situation involving a player with the ball, a referee shall use the following principles:

* The defensive player must establish an initial legal guarding position by facing the player with the ball and having both feet on the floor.

* Contact must occur on the torso, in which case the defensive player would be

considered as having been at the place of contact first.

* Having established a legal guarding position, the defensive player may turn

within his cylinder to avoid injury.

Outcome: correct decision from the referees. Yellow 9 facing Black 34 with the ball and having both feets on the floor, contact occurs on the torso. Black 34 receives an offensive charging foul.

3. In White team offense, White 1 made a shot, defender Black 30, trying to guard White 1 shot, touched his shooting hand. Referees stay without a call.

   
   

FIBA OBRI 15.1.1. A shot for a field goal or a free throw is when the ball is held in a player’s hand(s) and is then thrown into the air towards the opponents' basket.

 FIBA OBRI 33.1. The offensive player with the ball must be allowed enough space for a normal basketball play within his cylinder. The normal basketball play includes starting a dribble, pivoting, shooting and passing .

FIBA OBRI 33.3. The legal guarding position extends vertically above him (cylinder) from the floor to the ceiling. He may raise his arms and hands above his head or jump vertically but he must maintain them in a vertical position inside the imaginary cylinder.

Outcome: incorrect decision from the referees. Black 30, trying to defend the shot, touched White 1`s shooting hand, and that moment Black 30`s hand was out of cylinder. Personal act of shooting foul should be called to Black 30.

4. End of game, score tied, Red 1 drives to the basket and makes a shot. Defender White 33 touched a ball, which touches backboard afterwards. Immediately White 5 grabbed a ball and goes on fast break and started an act of shooting. Contact with defender Red 11 occurs before the game time ended. Referees stay with No call.

   
   

FIBA OBRI 31.2.1.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, or

* After it has touched the backboard.

FIBA OBRI 33.3. Legal guarding position.

A defensive player has established an initial legal guarding position when:

* He is facing his opponent, and

* He has both feet on the floor.

FIBA OBRI 33.4. Guarding a player who controls the ball.

When guarding a player who controls (holding or dribbling) the ball, the elements of time and distance do not apply.

The player with the ball must expect to be guarded and must be prepared to stop or change his direction whenever an opponent takes an initial legal guarding position in front of him, even if this is done within a fraction of a second.

• The defensive player may remain stationary, jump vertically, move laterally or

backwards in order to maintain the initial legal guarding position.

Outcome: correct decision from the referees in all situations. White touched a ball when the ball was in upward flight and touched backboard only after White 33 touched it. In other side Red 11 facing White 5 with the ball, moves backwards, having both feet on the floor, contact occurs on the torso.

Author: Oskars Lucis, ENBL Head of Referees