New rules in Euroleague: The end of unsportsmanlike fouls as we know them

The international basketball club competition Euroleague announced today a change to the rules of the game, which will come into effect from the start of the upcoming season, with the greatest emphasis on redefining the act of shooting, as well as dividing unsportsmanlike fouls and technical fouls into multiple categories.

The new Euroleague rules state that, due to a change in the definition of the "act of shooting", a foul on a jump shot or other shot from the move can only be called if the offensive player raises his shoulders and the ball towards the basket, while being in the opponent's half of the court (in the frontcourt).

In a breakthrough, the act of shooting will usually be considered to begin between the three-point line and the basket, after the player "gets" the ball (either catches it with two hands, or has his palm under the ball) and continues the shooting motion until it is released.

As for other foul assessments, if a player makes a "rip fru" move to the side (takes advantage of the defensive player's hand entering his personal space and "traps" it by moving the ball to the side), a ground foul will always be called.

Likewise, if a defensive player lightly hooks an opponent's hand after a shot, it will not be judged as a foul, but a hit from the side, as well as to the wrist, arm or body, will always be a foul.

Technical errors are divided into two categories.

A first category technical foul is called for "inappropriate communication, provoking an opponent, obstructing an opponent's vision, and simulating fouls."

A Category 2 technical foul is called for "stalling, hanging on the rim after a dunk, and making a downward trajectory during the last free throw."

Unsportsmanlike fouls have been replaced by disruptive fouls and flagrant fouls.

Game-interfering fouls include fouls that interrupt the flow of play and put the opponent at a disadvantage, such as fouls that interrupt a counterattack or stop time near the end of a quarter.

Violations include fouls that are not committed during a "legitimate basketball movement" or that are "reckless, violent, and dangerous."

Both offenses carry the same penalty as an unsportsmanlike foul – free throws and a throw-in.

A player will be ejected from the game after being charged with either two first-category technical fouls, or two serious fouls, or one first-category technical foul and one serious foul.

A coach will be ejected after being assessed either two first-category technical fouls personally, or three first-category technical fouls to the team bench.

Other rule changes include that a secondary defender in the semicircle will be called a foul if he fails to jump vertically upon contact with an offensive player, and that, of the two challenges coaches receive per game, one will be forfeited if it is not used in the first 38 minutes of play.

Coaches cannot challenge a player for a foul, and will be automatically sent off if they disrupt an opponent's counterattack by entering the field.

Referees will also no longer issue warnings before awarding technical fouls for inappropriate behavior or simulation.

The Euroleague starts on September 24th.