EuroLeague has announced changes to the rules of the game that will take effect at the start of the upcoming season, with the biggest emphasis on redefining the act of shooting, as well as dividing unsportsmanlike fouls and technical fouls into several categories.
The new EuroLeague rules state that, due to the change in the definition of the “act of shooting,” a foul during a jump shot or another shot taken in motion can be called only if the offensive player raises his shoulders and the ball toward the basket while being on the opponent’s half of the court (the frontcourt).
On drives, the act of shooting will generally be considered to begin between the three-point line and the basket, after the player “gathers” the ball (or catches it with both hands, or has his palm underneath the ball) and continues the shooting motion until the ball is released.
As for other foul judgments, if a player makes a sideways “rip-through” move (taking advantage of a defender placing his arm in the player’s cylinder and “trapping” it by moving the ball sideways), a personal foul on the floor will always be called.
Likewise, if a defender lightly touches an opponent’s hand after a shot, it will not be called a foul, but contact from the side, as well as contact to the wrist, arm or body, will always be a foul.
Technical Fouls
Technical fouls have been divided into two categories.
A Category 1 technical foul is called for “inappropriate communication, provoking an opponent, obstructing an opponent’s vision and faking fouls.”
A Category 2 technical foul is called for “delaying the game, hanging on the rim after a dunk and causing a downward trajectory during the final free throw.”
READ MORE:
Unsportsmanlike Fouls
Unsportsmanlike fouls have been replaced by disruptive fouls and flagrant fouls.
Disruptive fouls include fouls that interrupt the flow of the game and put an opponent at a disadvantage, such as fouls committed to stop a fast break or to stop the clock late in a quarter. Flagrant fouls include fouls that are not committed during a “legitimate basketball play” or that are “reckless, violent and dangerous.”
Both fouls carry the same penalty previously applied to an unsportsmanlike foul – free throws and possession from the sideline.
A player will be ejected after being called for either two Category 1 technical fouls, two flagrant fouls, or one Category 1 technical foul and one flagrant foul.
A coach will be ejected after being called for either two personal Category 1 technical fouls or three Category 1 technical fouls charged to the team bench.
Other Changes
Other rule changes include a secondary defender inside the restricted area being called for a foul if they do not jump vertically when making contact with an offensive player, as well as one of the two challenges coaches receive per game being removed if it is not used during the first 38 minutes of the game.
Coaches cannot challenge which player committed a foul, and they will also be automatically ejected if they enter the court and interfere with an opponent’s fast break.
Referees will also no longer issue warnings before calling technical fouls for inappropriate behavior or faking fouls.
MORE TOPICS:
Source: N1 ; Foto: ATA Images



