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.
White 44 made a shot. Defender Black 15 jumped in a shooter’s cylinder, made a contact with a leg, while White 44 was still in the act of shooting. Referees called the act of shooting foul by Black 15. Shot is unsuccessful and referees awarded White 44 with two free throws. FIBA OBRI 15.1.2. The act of shooting on a shot: FIBA OBRI 34.2.2. If the foul is committed on a player in the act of shooting, that player shall be awarded a number of free throws as follows: If the shot released from the 2-point field goal area is unsuccessful, 2 free throws. Outcome: correct decision from the referees. White 44 released unsuccessful shot when Black 15 made a contact with shooter’s legs, before he landed with both feet on the floor, which is act of shooting blocking personal foul. White 44 was awarded with two free throws.
2. White 25 made unsuccessful shot, while the ball was still on the ring, his teammate White 2 jumped and touched the net and backboard. Referees called White 2 violation – interference. FIBA OBRI 31.1.1. A shot for a field goal or a free throw: Begins when the ball leaves the hand(s) of a player in the act of shooting. Ends when the ball: ▬ Enters the basket directly from above and remains within the basket or passes through the basket entirely. ▬ No longer has the possibility to enter the basket. ▬ Touches the ring. ▬ Touches the floor. ▬ Becomes dead. FIBA OBRI 31.2.4. Interference occurs when: After a shot for a field goal or the last free throw a player touches the basket or the backboard while the ball is in contact with the ring. FIBA OBRI 31.3.1. If the violation is committed by an offensive player, no points can be awarded. The ball shall be awarded to the opponents for a throw-in from the free-throw line extended, unless otherwise stated in these rules. Outcome: correct decision from the referees. White 2 touched the backboard while the ball was in contact with the ring. White 2 interference violation and Black team throw-in from the free throw line extended.
3. White 2 set a screen on the Black 6. After the contact Black 6 felt on the court. Referees called offensive personal foul for White 2. FIBA OBRI 33.7. Illegal screening is when the player who is screening an opponent: Was moving when contact occurred. Did not give sufficient distance in setting a screen outside the field of vision of a stationary opponent when contact occurred. Did not respect the elements of time and distance of an opponent in motion when contact occurred. Outcome: correct decision from the referees. White 2 was moving and never achieved stationary position, didn’t respect the elements of time and distance of the Black 6 motion. Illegal screen and offensive foul by White 2.
Author: Oskars Lucis, ENBL Head of referees