WEEKLY LETTER - GD6

Dear Referees and Video Observers.

Thank you all for your performances in the recent BCL games, GD 06.

Before beginning our comments from last week, I would like to remind all of us of the six years since we lost our friend and colleague Gianluca Mattioli. It was a tough time for his young family, and for us all in the basketball officiating community. I will never forget my time in Pesaro during the funeral period, my recognition of how many people were there, the full church, the huge number of the people at the cemetery. Once more, Gianluca we are missing you, your smile, your jokes, and your performances as a Referee.

Something shiny to start; my congratulations to the nominated Referees for FIBA Women's Qualification Tournaments, which will take place in February 2024.

The last point before GD 06 data, last week, in the HQ office, I had a meeting with Carl, and we discussed several topics. One of the topics was officiating in the BCL Competition. We both agreed that we should continue our focus on providing excellence in the BCL officiating. We were already talking about 2027 Competitions. So be assured, officiating in the BCL is part of your ticket for the global Competitions.

In the current BCL season you are very happy to continue the delivery of good news. In GD 06, we were mostly on our standard level, with the note that some of you had been at the bottom of the standard level, close to below standard. Behind us are half of the BCL Regular Season games, and below you can see how you performed as a team, in games GD 01 – GD 06:

The picture is a little different when we are looking at reports from GD 04 – GD 06 only:

As you can see, the above standard level decreased in the last 3 game days. I can point out that some elements made an impact on the statistic:

1. More nominations for less experienced Referees.
2. Some of the superior Referees didn't perform regarding their expected, and they fell into the standard performance area.
3. Comfort zone area from some of you.
4. I did the meeting with the Video Observers, with the motto, ''You are not here to make Referees happy''.
5. The teams increased their pressure on you because every point counts.

The overall feedback BCL GD 06, recognitions by your Video Observers:

Points to keep/positive.

1. Correct game control – general comments.
2. Act of shooting control – proper focus in all games.
3. Communication among the crew to clarify OOB situations.

Points for improvement

1.  Discipline in fundamentals

     Proper usage of Protocols

     FAOS vs. FNAOS consistency

2. AMI, read the play.

     Again, pointed out in a few Reports

3.  ICNC for obvious play situation

4. 'Standard package''

     QW vs. PW

     Unnecessary DW

UF criteria

In this round, in 8 games, we had a minor number of UF situations – 4x.

By criteria – C1 2x, C2 2x

One decision was INC (C1 criteria)

Head Coach Challenge

Time-consuming per situation (average) - 82''

IRS usage by Referees

Time-consuming per situation (average) - 55''

Continue to keep your concentration, be decisive and confident.

Dear All,

Remember to stay with the approach of each point counts. From that basic, with your focus on fundamentals, and proper communication you are in a position to provide the highest-level of officating and have very good performances. Be ready to receive more and greater pressure from the coaches and players. Keep the dignity of our job with excellence in your officiating, and respect for the all the game members.

I wish you a great week of officiating.

Davorin