Tough Call 1: Banco di Sardegna Sassari v MHP Riesen Ludwigsburg - Block

Green 9 receives a pass near the basket and a contact with Black 13 occurs. The referee calls a blocking foul in the act of shooting and awards 2 free throws to Green 9. Article 33.3 A defensive player has established an initial legal guarding position when: He is facing an opponent, and He has both feet on the floor. Article 33.4 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. Article 33.10 On any penetration into the no-charge semicircle area any contact caused by an airborne offensive player with a defensive player inside the no-charge semicircle shall not be called as an offensive foul, unless the offensive player is illegally using his hands, arms, legs, or body. This rule applies when: The offensive player is in control of the ball whilst airborne, and He attempts a shot for a field goal or passes the ball, and The defensive player has one foot or both feet in contact with the no-charge semicircle area. Outcome: Incorrect decision from the referees. Black 13 has established an initial guarding position and the contact occurs on the torso, so he cannot be responsible for a blocking foul. Moreover, Black 13 is in contact with the no-charge semicircle area, so an offensive foul for charging should not be called to the offensive player. This is a no call situation and the game should continue.