By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
EuroLeague referee Miguel Perez shared critical insights at the EHCB Coaches Congress 2026 in Athens regarding how officials handle tactical protests designed to disrupt fast breaks, following a rule implemented by Euroleague Basketball and widely labeled as the ‘Ataman rule’. He explained that these disruptions previously resulted in immediate whistles, which inadvertently rewarded bad behavior by stopping easy scoring opportunities.
“Three years ago, when he started to use this kind of tactic, not only him but some others, we called a technical foul, we stopped the game, and at the end of the day we are giving advantage to the team doing bad behavior,” Perez shared, referring to Ergin Ataman and other head coaches across Europe’s premier club competition.
To correct this, officials shifted their game management strategy. “This last season, we reshaped the interpretation of the technical foul, and we must wait for the end of the transition or the end of the fast break, and call the technical foul,” Perez noted. He admitted delayed calls remain a challenge for referees running at high speeds, confessing that “during the Regular Season, especially, we made some mistakes calling in the moment of the protest.”
Officiating crews adapted over time to ensure the offensive team finished the play before a penalty was assessed. He also emphasized a strict boundary line regarding a coach’s physical position during these intense moments. While coaches can move dynamically within their designated sideline space, stepping onto the hardwood triggers severe consequences.
“If he’s inside the court, the decision is not a technical foul. He had the right to run in the bench area, but if he’s inside, it’s a disqualifying foul in our criteria,” Perez clarified the explicit boundary rule after reviewing game footage during the lecture ‘Communication and game management’.
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