FAN MAIL: Euroleague refereeing chiefs
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 With several new rules coming into effect for the 2008-09 season, fans got the chance to ask the chiefs of the Euroleague Refereeing Department their questions about the changes. Euroleague Basketball refereeing director Costas Rigas and technical adviser Alan Richardson took questions that arrived from all over Europe, and their answers made clear that most of the changes are aimed at making the game even more dynamic and fair. After they advised Euroleague Basketball referees of the new guidelines at a preseason clinic over the weekend, Rigas and Richardson were sure that fans, too, would find that the changes will enhance the game. "New rules need time for everyone to adapt and understand, but none are really controversial," they said. "Anyway, the transition will be very quick."
Hello, referees. What is the purpose of not having a T-shirt under a player's uniform? I have played that way for many years and so did most of the stars in the 1980s, like Epi, Sibilio or Danilovic!
Francesc Ferrer, Barcelona
"The wearing of T-shirts under the uniform by a few players created a contravention of the rule requiring all players to wear the same uniform on the court."
Dear refs, I have a doubt about the new rules. What if a player catches a ball in the air, lands with just one foot in the backcourt and passed the ball back? Is it a violation?
Mario Cimbrellini, Verona
"No violation as he has returned legally to the back court."
Hello. Well, the one rule I am missing is being able to call timeout in the middle of a two free throws sequence. Don't you think this would make the end of the games more exciting?
Andrei Sushkov, Moscow
"Coaches already have five timeouts in a game plus any TV timeouts according to the competition regulations. Breaking the procedure of the free throws may put the player making the free throws at a disadvantage."
The three-point line will move to 6.75 meters in 2009-10. How do you think this will affect the game?
Mert Buyukeycan - Istanbul, Turkey
"Actually this rule will be in effect as of October 1, 2010, and question affects the job of the coaches.In any case, it is a difficult question and what the rule-maker expects is to reduce the number of three-pointers, while opening up the court for two-point shots, making the game more exciting. Statistics have shown that in recent years there is little difference in the percentages of three-point and two-point shots, which means that the thrill of the three-point shot has been diminished. The new distance hopefully will restore the excitement."
Dear refs. How much time do you think that will people need to get used to the new rule. Is there any of them that will be more controversial than the others?
Andreas Schirach - Bonn, Germany
"New rules need time for everyone to adapt and understand, but none are really controversial. Anyway, the transition will be very quick."
The eight-second violation looks interesting to me. Do you think that will allow teams to speed the game tempo a little bit, as well as strong defences to be more efficient? Thanks!
Roberto Volta - Varese, Italy
"The eight-second rule will encourage the offense to move the ball quickly to the front court whilst defensive opponents will be pressing to create the violation in the backcourt."
I really like the fact that a player diving to the floor for the ball and sliding on the floor whilst holding the ball is a legal situation. I think it improves the game and makes it more exciting. What's your opinion about this improvement?
Andrew Jennings - Bristol, UK
"A very good and logical change. Diving for the ball is part of hustling for possession of the loose ball."
The new goaltending rule is confusing to me. 'It is a violation if a defensive player puts his hand up through the net to play the ball on a shot, pass or after the ball has touched the ring.' What was the previous rule, then? I see it all the same...
Dariusz Dobrzyn - Wroclaw, Poland
"Previously, the penalty for such an action was possession of the ball from the sideline. Now the consequences are greater; 2 points or 3 points from field goal attempts or 1 point and a technical foul from the last or only free throw."
Can you define "excessive swinging of the elbows (without contact)" for me, please? I think this could cause a lot of misunderstanding. Is it a criteria defined or depends on each referee?
Sebastian Fernandez - Madrid, Spain
"First of all, the criteria is defined and agreed by coaches and referees. Many serious injuries have resulted from the swinging of the elbows. Excessive swinging means the elbows are over extended outside the player’s cylinder and the action is also potentially dangerous to the opponent."
Costas and Alan, hi. This is Flavio Tranquillo from SKY Italy. Just wanted to ask you about the unsportsmanlike foul (from now on UF ....). I would like to know if in these cases such foul should be called:
Foul on a bad FT shooter (Hack-a-Shaq).
Foul to stop the clock when behind.
Foul to not allow an easy dunk or lay-up.
Foul to get the last possession.
Foul to deny a three-pointer potentially tying or winning the game.
Foul to stop a fastbreak without being laterally or behind.
I may be wrong, but these to me are instances of fouls committed without the intent of playing the ball. Many many times though these fouls are judged not as UFs but as "normal" fouls. Thanks in advance,
Flavio - Milan, Italy
"The criteria for UF and the interpretations are clearly defined. 1. Did the player try for the ball? 2. Did he make a 'normal' basketball action? 3. Did he come from the ball-side? 4. Was the contact excessive? Where there is a complete disregard for the ball and/or the player and the action is out of the 'spirit of the game' the UF should be called. In any case not all fouls are UF fouls."
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