For FIBA officials (new rule)

[Jay R]

For those of you who use FIBA rules, I'm interested in what you think of the new unsportsmanlike foul rule which is similar to the NBA's clear path foul.

First here is the rule as it is written:

Art. 36.1.4 Unsportsmanlike foul If a defensive player causes contact with an opponent from behind or laterally in an attempt to stop a fast break and there is no opponent between the offensive player and the opponents’ basket, then the contact shall be judged to be unsportsmanlike.

The NBA's version (clear path) specifies that it applies from foul line to foul line. The FIBA rule does not. Maybe I'm being picky here. But if you take the new rule literally, a player on a fast break going for a layup who is fouled from behind (or laterally) could be charged with an unsportsmanlike foul.