WEEKLY REPORT - GD1

11.10.2021

Dear officials.

Here we are again!

WOW! What a great GD1 of the BCL Regular Season. We observed many exciting games, with ''money time'' situations and great basketball actions. Of course, such exciting beginnings to the Season can't happen without the solid level of performances by you, our Referees. For the Referee Department, GD1 was a big challenge to ensure that our service for our clubs was successful, 16 games with 48 officials.

I would like to point out that for the Referees there is no such ''warm-up'' period at the beginning of the season, we are straight into the action; we must be ready from the first second of the first game. Most of you were ready but from our observations we have a few of our experienced Referees staying in their comfort zones. Without everyone's full effort, without the full application of all elements of the season's POE, AMI and 3PO we will, as a group, fail to meet our very high standards. For those Referees, who dropped below our expectations, it is important to be ''hungry'', to show us your quality. For them, the next few weeks will be very important if they wish to keep their positions and not be moved to a reduced number of BCL games. I would like to point out the very positive performances from our younger and young Referees. Modern officiating is changing, and we witnessed some very good, firm application of POE, AMI and 3PO. This is how I would like our service to be by all our Referees.

Below you can find some technical data, received from Video Observers, as their summary of RS GD1:

1. POINTS TO KEEP / TO IMPROVE

To keep:

  1. · Overall opinion - good start of the season
  2. · Communication with the players and coaches
  3. · Contacts - illegal screen, fake being fouled
  4. · Violations - travelling

To improve:

  1. · 3PO - Mechanics Lead - rotation - delay or unnecessary
  2. · AMI leading to open angle position
  3. · Recognition of ''fake being fouled'' specific players
  5. · UF criteria vs. IRS usage 

2. UF CRITERIA

Last week we had 13 UF play situations. With a final correct decision: 10. 

This means that we missed 3 UF decisions or 16.7%. This is too many, above our average from last season and for 2 wrong final decisions we didn't use IRS at all. All 3 play situations are conclusive through the IRS usage.

Situation 1

Referees' decision was UF, criteria C1.

From the pictures it is visible that the white player is attempting to directly play the ball. Because of the high speed of the blue player, another secondary contact on blue player's shoulder and neck occurred. The defensive player didn't hold the offensive player, he tried to avoid excessive contact and UF, and besides, the offensive player exaggerated the level of contact with an overreaction.

Situation 2

It is clearly visible that after the rebound the white player was fouled by two green players, no 45 and no 18. No 18 fouled and, after his illegal contact, he acted as ''fake being fouled''. The center Referee called an UF on white 22. The other two Referees proposed IRS usage, the center refused to use IRS and kept his original decision.

Situation 3

You can check this situation in our Tough Calls section - TC1

3. IRS USAGE

We were successful in our use of IRS. Again, we can see how useful this tool is for us; after IRS usage, we changed 55% of our reviewed decisions.

4. FAKE BEING FOULED

In general, we had a very good approach and application of ''Fake being fouled'' and showed why this is an important and valid element of our POE. It has also been well received by the players and coaches. Of course, we missed some actions and didn't recognize when official warnings, or TF after the official warning, were required. We should be consistent and deliver a clear message that the act of ''Fake being fouled'' is not a proper basketball action.

5. TRAVELLING

The most positive application in area of BCL POE 2021/ 2022. We had a strong focus, a lot of correct decisions which we haven't seen in previous season(s). Again, this has been well accepted by the players and coaches. We need to continue with this focus, call travelling when an advantage is created for the offensive player.

6. COMMUNICATION WITH THE BCL CLUBS

Last week we received a nice and polite email from one Club, with a link to clarify several play situations. As we promised clear and transparent cooperation, the game officials are doing an analysis, plus we are asking a VO for a ''second'' opinion. When we are ready, we'll send our analysis to the Club. Also, we will publish the Club's video and our answers on our BCL officials' website.

7. VIDEO SITUATIONS ''GAME OF THE WEEK''

After Monday games we will publish, in our BCL officials' website, the most interesting and useful play situations. Please use this material as part of your game preparation for Tuesday and Wednesday games.

Dear officials,

We wish you a successful week, stay disciplined in with our fundamentals, provide the Clubs with modern officiating.

Stay hungry and go to do your best.

Davorin & VOs Team