The NBL have driven the introduction of an Instant Review System (IRS) for the 2023 NBL1 Finals, with the purpose of assisting officials in deciding the outcome of a close game.
The Instant Review System is being delivered with three key points;
- It can only be used if the single camera captures the footage (no other footage is allowed)
- It can only be used on a call at the end of the game that determines a result or into OT – it is not called on fouls, there are no coach challenges.
- Referees need to make a call on-court before reviewing in case there is no footage available.
NBL1 South Technical Officals Development (TOD) Elite Development Officer, Ruben Woolcock spoke about the system.
“It’s great that the referees are able to use technology to enhance the accuracy of game-deciding calls. These are the most important plays and most difficult calls for a referee to make in the Finals environment."
"We see spectacular crowds cheering so loudly in these moments that the game siren can’t be heard so, using technology to work around this and varying venue equipment, will help the referees make the right call and give the teams a fair opportunity to win.”
The IRS is a dedicated system on a laptop/tablet located on the Scoretable that referees will only activate at the end of the fourth quarter and all overtime periods if there is a successful goal that will change the result of the game. The IRS may be initiated by the crew to seek additional information to assist in deciding:
- Whether a shot for a successful goal was released before the game clock signal sounded for the end of the 4th quarter or overtime.
- Whether the successful goal was released from the 2- or 3-point area.
- Whether and how much time shall be displayed on the game clock, if: An out-of-bounds violation of the shooter occurred.
Last Saturday night in the Frankston Blues v. Mount Gambier Men's Qualifying Final the IRS was used on two seperate occassions.
“Unfortunately, the vision available to the referees was inconclusive on both occasions when a successful goal was made at the end of the fourth quarter and overtime. In both instances, the referees followed correct procedure however there was no clear evidence that the shot attempts were released in time and as such the decisions were reverted to the on-court call of 'no basket'."
"This first use creates the opportunity to discuss minimum requirements of both the IRS technology and venue equipment moving forward which will hopefully result in clear decisions to be made either in real time or through review.”
The NBL1 South Finals continue Friday night as the Mount Gambier Pioneers take on the Ringwood Hawks Women. Followed by 2 Men’s games Saturday night; Frankston Blues v. Diamond Valley Eagles and Knox Raiders v. Eltham Wildcats (Kayo Game of the Week), culminating Sunday afternoon with a Women’s game Waverley Falcons v. Eltham Wildcats (Kayo Game of the Week).
For all fixtures and live streams across the weekend visit the NBL1 South website
