Only two more days of competition remain in the Andorra edition of the Small Nations Games. I cannot fully analyze the local performance as I am writing this column on Wednesday evening, although I can talk a bit about my sport basketball.

Quite frankly, it is most unfortunate (in my opinion) that basketball seems to be phasing out of these games, especially the women’s competition.

Cyprus’ late withdrawal led to just four nations taking part (same as 2 years ago in Malta but then there was no Andorra, a team which is on paper weaker than the other countries). Monaco has already declared that in two year’s time, there will be no women basketball.

The men’s competition is much healthier, even if there was also a late withdrawal from Monaco. It is a pity that Malta did not participate, even if the level of competition would be high. I believe that given the right resources and by a dedicated and serious attitude by the players themselves, results could be achieved. Yet I have to repeat that everything has to be taken seriously and under a consistent routine of preparation.

I think that the ‘foreigners’ policy adopted at these games is of more harm. It is true that basketball was one of the first sports to make use of such a policy (with even American players featuring in many teams) but my opinion is that this should be scrapped and teams should only field local players (as happens in FIBA competitions).

We would only be fooling ourselves if we have to rejoice with medals won thanks to ‘foreigners’. This holds for all countries taking part but then we could be, even though some national officials might take the mickey out of my proposal, the first nation to push forward for a logical change.

Respect and comments

As a referee, one has to deal with many negative comments but then should not take them personally.

One of the most difficult aspects to understand about refereeing is that generally when people yell at you, they are really yelling at the referee’s uniform and what it represents.

Let me be clear, this does not make it right, but knowing ahead of time that the challenge is not (generally) personal will help the referee deal with it better.

Part of a referee’s management plan must include when he is going to respond to people. The referee is going (and must expect) to be challenged in varying degrees. However one must always remember that every question does not necessarily need a response.

As I said in a previous article, statements require no answer. Participants might term the referee arrogant in these circumstances but in reality, for example, how could the referee reply to statements such as ‘that was a foul’ or ‘you made a mistake’?? Are not these statements?? Since one has to accept the reality that they are in fact complete statements, one should then not find it difficult to easily understand that, in a logical way, they require no answers from anybody.

The referee should realize that coaches and players are often simply venting their frustrations when challenging a referee. The experienced referee always decides whether to reply before he starts responding. Obviously this can be very difficult to do in a heated situation, but if the referee takes that moment to think before speaking, he can prevent a conflict from escalating to higher proportions.

I would like to share with you a paragraph I just read on www.fifa.com, “A ref may be deemed efficient when he gets the job done in an apt and competent manner. He needs to take technical and disciplinary decisions in keeping with the demands of the game, whilst remaining respectful and accomplished in your manner.”

The reason I chose to comment on such a topic this week is because during the past season I experienced some small incidents where respect lacked in a sense from a number of quarters which can behave quite differently and in a better way. I always point out the all-important proverb, ‘respect and you will be respected’. However this has to work in all directions, not only from my part (as a referee) so as to be fully effective and functional.

As a referee I try to reflect respect to all participants in a game in a fair and balanced way. Yet I expect counter respect and if individuals lack this in a deep way, there is no other thing to do but follow literally the rules of the game and the subsequent penalties.

No matter how well a referee does his job, some people will still vent their frustrations at him. Coaches, players, presidents and supporters have an intensely personal interest in games, which means that their judgement tends to be impaired and their comments suspect.

Rule changes in basketball

The FIBA Central Board, the highest executive body of the International Basketball Federation, has decided to make slight amendments to the official FIBA Basketball rules.

The following rules amendments have been adopted:

1. If the request for a time-out or a substitution is made after the ball is at the disposal of the free throw shooter for the first or only free throw, it shall be granted for both teams if the free throw is successful.

2. If a sanction of a free throw(s) is followed by a throw-in at the centre line, the time-out or the substitution can be granted for both teams whether the free throw is successful or not.

3. During the last two (2) minutes of the fourth (4th) period or any extra-period, if a time out is granted:

- to the non scoring team after the valid basket,

- to the team that has been awarded the possession of the ball in its back court,

The throw-in following the time-out shall be administrated at the centre-court line at the scorer's table. The player taking the throw-in may pass the ball into the front or back court.

These rule amendments, from which maybe number 3 may be the most interesting (especially in last second situations) become effective as of 1st October 2005.

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