Europcar Ref Review | NBL21 Round 1

Thanks to Europcar, each round the NBL's referees will review plays providing comprehensive explanations around rules and subsequent outcomes, showcasing the decision making required in real time from the NBL's Referee Panel.

Below are a series of plays and clips from Round 1 of NBL21 that have been reviewed.

Act of Shooting (AOS) Instant Replay System-Replay Centre Review

This is an example of a foul prior to the act of shooting. According to the rules, the act of shooting on moving shots starts when the ball has come to rest in the player’s hand(s), upon completion of a dribble or a catch in the air and the player starts the shooting motion preceding the release of the ball for a field goal. In addition, referees in the NBL are able to review if a player is in the act of shooting when a foul occurs during any time of the game by initiating an IRS review through the Replay Centre.

In this example, O#3 is defending ball handler W#22 in the final stages of the fourth quarter. O#3 bumps W#22 with a double arm check as W#22 is completing his final dribble and prior to the ball coming to rest in his hands to start his shooting motion. The referees call a foul prior to the act of shooting and award a side ball to White. The Crew Chief then initiates a review through the Replay Centre to review the play. The Replay Centre confirms that the foul occurred prior to the act of shooting and the initial decision of side ball remained as called on the floor. This is a correct call by the rules as the foul occurred prior to the act of shooting. The referees also followed the correct process on this play by initiating an IRS review through the Replay Centre.

Free Throw Violation - Before the Rim

Free Throw Violation – This is an example of a free throw violation by a player not occupying a rebound place. On the last or only free throw Players not in the free-throw rebound places shall remain behind the free-throw line extended and behind the 3-point field goal line until the free throw ends. The free throw ends for players not in rebound places when the ball hits the rim.

In this example White #3 is well inside the 3 point line prior to the completion of the free throw which allows him to secure the rebound. The referee calls a correct free throw violation on White and awards a substitute free throw to blue.

Backcourt Violation

Backcourt Violation – This is an example of a backcourt violation. A team in control of the ball in their frontcourt causes the ball to illegally return 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 in the backcourt.

In this example, the Blue team is in control of the ball in their frontcourt when B#6’s pass to teammate B#44 is first touched by W#51 and then tipped by B#44. The ball then spills into the Blue team backcourt where B#44 regains possession of the ball. There is no change of team control so Blue team is still in control of the ball. The referee calls a correct backcourt violation on Blue.

Out of Bounds Instant Replay System Review

Out of Bounds (IRS review) – For NBL21 this is an example how the Replace Centre can review out of bounds plays that are close using the IRS. If the referee crew has any doubt over an out of bounds call at any time of the game, the Crew Chief can now initiate an IRS review through the Replay Centre. If a review is requested, the Replay Centre will look at all camera angles to determine if the call should be overturned or remain as called on the floor. If there is clear video evidence the call needs to be overturned, the Replay Centre will alert the Crew Chief who will then overturn the initial decision. If there is no clear evidence, the original call stands.

In this example, W#79 and O#0 contest a pass and the ball spills out of bounds on the sideline. The referee awards the ball to White. As the referees prepare to administer the throw-in for White, the Crew Chief stops the game and requests an IRS review of the out of bounds call through the Replay Centre. The Replay Centre conducts the review and the footage shows that W#79 tips the ball last. The Replay Centre feeds this information to the Crew Chief who then reverses the original call and awards the ball to Orange. This is the correct process to overturn an out of bounds call and the referees eventually reach the right outcome.

Legal Move - Correct No Call

Legal Move – This is an example of legal footwork. At the completion of a dribble, an offensive player is permitted to take two steps after his gather step to shoot the ball. If the offensive player jumps off one foot on the first step, he may land with both feet simultaneously for the second step.

In this example, B#11 completes a dribble then uses his right foot as his gather step, followed by his left foot for his first step and then lands on both feet simultaneously for his second step before shooting, and scoring. Whilst the play make look slightly unusual in real time it is a legal move and a correct no call by the referees.

Free Throw Tip – Change of Status

In this example from Round 1 we are highlighting a play where the defensive player tries to swipe the ball away from entering the basket on the final free throw attempt. In this play, White #24 in an attempt to knock the ball away touches the ball before it enters the basket. In reviewing this play using the Instant Replay System (IRS) the referees are looking at 2 separate elements on the one play. 

Firstly they are checking whether White #24 touches the ball. Secondly if he has touched the ball was the ball above the basket or within it as this would change the nature of the play. It is clear on review that White #24 has touched the ball. The reason it is important whether the ball is in the basket or above it is that if the ball is above the basket the status of the ball changes as per the FIBA interpretations document Statement 31-5. “ The ball touches the ring on a last unsuccessful free throw. If the ball is then legally touched by any player before the ball enters the basket, the free throw becomes a 2 point field goal.”

If any part of the ball is within the basket this becomes a basket interference play and only 1 point would be awarded as per the Interpretations document Statement 31-24 “It is an interference violation if a defensive player touches the ball while the ball is within the basket.” The backboard camera shows the ball is above the basket and that White #24 hits the ball down into the ring.

Correct Call – Final Free Throw- Change of Status – 2 points to Adelaide.