WEEKLY REPORT - QF GD1

11.04.2022

Dear Referees,

Last week we finished the first round of the knock-out BCL QF's. According to the experiences across all sports, in the best of 3 system, the first game usually has the least pressure. The coaches will have set their game plan and the players will have tried to implement this on the court, but ultimately no one is finished after G1. This week games, however, will be our real test because 4 teams have a chance to win in two games and 4 teams don't want their season to finish. We must start our preparations, our scouting.

As you can see, two games were with a big gap, but the other games had only a single basket splitting them. From the CLUJ and TENERIFE games, we received questions regarding clarification of some play situations, both videos you can find in the section 'Game of the Week'. This shows you how Clubs and coaches are watching and analyzing our job and our decisions. You can find an additional video, made by the Crew, as an analysis of another team's questionable decisions. Along with this, in the new 'Tough Call' selection, you can find one important play situation, where we had two mistakes. As I wrote in a previous weekly letter:

..... I will be the first person who will defend and protect your correct and proper work. Of course, I will also admit our mistakes ...

I did this. We had an open discussion where the coach and myself looked at the facts in both directions, correct call/no call, and incorrect call/no call.

I'd like to share with you the response I received after our conversation:

Thank you Davorin, for your time and hard work. I appreciate the professionalism that we get with you and the Champions League Referees.

My final comment about our Crews' performances, in the two one shot games, we needed much better concentration to make a more precise decision in the decisive part of the game. We missed obvious plays, this is not acceptable in our standards and expectations. One more point, thank you to the crew, Game CLUJ vs MPH, for their honest, precise analysis and supervision of their performances. They recognized and confirmed all their mistakes in their decision-making process.

Feedback from the Referee Instructors, BCL QF GD 1, plus some of my own observations:

UF CRITERIA

Clear, and simple. Four games, three games without UF decisions. One game with three UF decisions. All three, correct final decisions.

IRS USAGE

IRS usage in all four games, a total of five times. All situations conclusive, one incorrect final decision.

The most important play situation in one game, Basket Interference, no initial decision made and therefore no possibility to use IRS (Tough Call selection).

TO IMPROVE

  • Violations - Travel - especially at the beginning of the dribble.
  • Marginal calls - analyze the possible influence of contact on speed, balance, rhythm, or quickness of opponent player
  • Fake being fouled- overreaction, acting, exaggeration. Wrong calls mostly because of no focus in the Referee's primary AOR. With proper scouting of problem players, calmness, and 'holding the air in the belly' we can avoid our errors. Also, use preventing warning and good communication to show your recognition of FBF actions. Follow the FBF protocol.
  • Maximum usage of IRS, of course, according to Protocol. There's no rush to make the final decision. We are in the knock-out system, the correct outcome is essential. On a side note, be ready for the possible 'act of violence' situations in these next games.
  • Concentration in a decisive part of your game. Last week this was not our usual high standard and some of your decisions (call and no call) surprised me.
  • Remember we have spoken about the last play situations, our mechanics become less important. We need the proper DECISION. Teams don't care who is responsible, whose is primary, better to have a double or even a triple whistle, than no whistle, a no call. They are expecting our correct decision. I am expecting your correct decision.
  • In the last round, the biggest number of errors came from the Trail position. As usual, the referee in the Trail position is more relaxed compared with the Centre or Lead. What we have learnt from this (what we know), in two games, we paid the price of our relaxed concentration as Trail.
  • Finally, and very important to remember. Be careful in case of a decided winner, 2:0. We must concentrate and referee until the last second of the game. Disappointed players or coaches can easily 'burn the fire'. Last week, in the women's F4, because of players disappointment and frustration we had several UF.

Dear Colleagues,

This is not the time to relax in any of the upcoming BCL games. Each game is a new game, a new opportunity to win 2:0, a new game to push for a game 3. Remember, you are only as good as your last call.

I wish to entire BCL officiating community a great job next week.

Davorin and Video Observers.