The EuroLeague changes rules: end of unsportsmanlike conduct

The Euroleague has announced a significant regulatory transformation that will come into effect starting from next week's SuperCup. Although FIBA set the date of October 1 for the implementation of its modifications, the European competition has decided to advance its application from the first game, additionally incorporating its own clarifications that address recurring situations in professional play.

When the shooting act begins

The definition of the start of the shot follows the line established by FIBA. In a jump shot or a moving shot, the act of shooting begins when the player moves their shoulders and the ball upwards towards the hoop. This movement must necessarily occur in the attacking half, thus establishing a clear and objective criterion for referees.

However, the Euroleague has introduced a relevant nuance for penetrations, where the criterion is substantially different. In these situations, the act of shooting generally begins between the three-point line and the basket, from the moment the player gathers the ball and continues the motion until releasing it. This distinction aims to clarify doubts that arose in quick penetrations where defensive contact is inevitable.

Contact with the shooter: what is a foul and what is not

This is the most practical section for fans, as it addresses situations that constantly recur in each game. The Euroleague has established precise criteria to eliminate ambiguities that have generated controversy over the years.

Lateral contact will always be considered a foul on the ground, never a shooting foul. This distinction is crucial: if the player was not in the act of shooting, no free throws will be awarded, regardless of whether contact exists. The defender can play with some freedom in the lateral zone as long as the shooter has not initiated their shooting motion.

Regarding contact with the shooter's hand at the end of the motion, it will only be legal if it is light and occurs cleanly after the ball is released. Any contact on the side of the hand, on the wrist, on the arm, or on the body will still be penalized as a foul. This rule maintains the spirit of protecting the shooter without allowing excessively soft defenses.

An important novelty is the tightening of the penalty when the defender invades the shooter's landing space. If the shooter's foot lands on the defender who has invaded that space, it will be called a flagrant foul. This measure seeks to prevent serious injuries and discourage dangerous defenses.

Classification of technical fouls into two categories

Technical fouls undergo a profound transformation by being divided into two groups with completely different consequences. This bifurcation responds to the need to differentiate between infractions that affect the integrity of the game and those that simply interrupt its flow.

Category 1 groups fouls of disrespect towards referees or opponents, provocations to the rival, deliberate obstruction of a player's view, and simulating a foul. These infractions do count towards a player's disqualification, reflecting their more serious nature and impact on sports discipline.

Category 2 includes actions such as unnecessarily impeding or delaying the game, hanging on the rim after a dunk, and invading the area during a free throw. Although penalized, these infractions do not count towards disqualification, acknowledging that their severity is lesser.

Disappearance of the unsportsmanlike foul and new categories

The unsportsmanlike foul disappears from the Euroleague regulations, being replaced by two distinct categories approved by FIBA. This change represents a significant evolution in the regulatory philosophy of professional basketball.

The disruptive foul covers contact that interrupts the flow of the game and harms the opponent without being deemed serious. Typical examples include stopping a fast break through defensive contact or unnecessarily stopping the clock at the end of a quarter. These are infractions that alter the natural development of the game but do not constitute dangerous aggression.

The flagrant foul will be signaled when the contact does not constitute a legitimate basketball play and is deemed reckless, violent, or dangerous. This category encompasses actions that transcend the acceptable limits of aggressive defense.

The immediate punishment is identical in both cases: two free throws and possession for the offensive team. However, there is a crucial difference in long-term consequences. Only the flagrant foul counts towards disqualification, while the disruptive foul, although penalized at the moment, does not accumulate towards the player's expulsion.

Criteria for disqualification under the new regulations

The criteria for player disqualification have been reformulated to adapt to the new structure of fouls. A player will be disqualified in three scenarios: for accumulating two Category 1 technical fouls, for committing two flagrant fouls, or for a combination of one Category 1 technical foul plus one flagrant foul.

For coaches, disqualification occurs for two personal Category 1 technical fouls or if their bench accumulates three technical fouls of that same category. This rule aims to hold coaches accountable for the disciplinary conduct of their teams, promoting stricter management of behavior on the bench.

These modifications represent a coordinated effort between FIBA and the Euroleague to clarify historically ambiguous situations and improve the quality of the spectacle. The emphasis on shooter contact responds to the demands of players, coaches, and fans for more consistent and predictable criteria. The upcoming SuperCup will be the first stage where these changes will demonstrate their effectiveness in practice.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, La Euroliga modifica reglas: fin de la antideportiva