The Differences

A lot of people ask me what the difference between European basketball and American basketball is and usually I can’t recall every difference so I thought, for those of you who are interested, I would elaborate.

We’ll start with technically.  The games over here are ten minute quarters (compared to 20 minute halves in college) and we have a 24 second shot clock compared to the 30 seconds at home.  In 2007, when I first came to play basketball in Europe the 3 point line was a little bit further than the 19 feet 9 inches I was used to.  Then two seasons ago they moved the line ever further back and now we shoot about a foot and a half further back than I did in college.  It took some getting used to last season but at the end of the year I finally got the hang of it and I now enjoy the look on my defender’s face back home when they see me jack a three from well beyond the arc and not think twice about it; they have no idea it’s just a normal three over here.

Most of these changes aren’t that big of a deal but I think Europe is really missing out by not using the one-and-one free throw.  Here (in Germany), you are allotted four team fouls per quarter and from the fifth foul on the other team is shooting two free throws.  Maybe here they want to focus on punishing the foulers but I personally like the pressure the one-and-one FTs puts on the shooter (for team fouls 7, 8, and 9 of every half).

Other rules:

-No 5 second call on dribblers

-Only 5 rebounders on the lane line for FTs

-Automatic technical foul if the defense fouls an offensive player that would otherwise have a fast break

-players aren’t allowed to call timeouts and timeouts can only be made on dead balls. (i.e: you are dribbling down the court and see something you don’t like… you can’t call a timeout.  Or you are going to get a 5 second call on an inbound there is nothing you can do about it.)

-If there is an inbound situation in the front court, the offense isn’t allowed to use the backcourt to get the ball in (it’s a backcourt violation)

-The lane is a lot bigger.  The elbows extend out a good foot and a half on each side making it tough for post players to make the post moves they previously used in college

 

The hardest rule to get used to is the traveling call.  Here in Europe you can’t pick up your pivot foot until you have dribbled.  In America, as long as you don’t set that pivot foot back down before you dribble then it’s not a travel.  My first few years I suffered plenty of turnovers because of this and I wouldn’t say that I’ve totally mastered the “European” step… and I don’t think I ever will.  Ultimately, the referees know who the Americans are on every team and because we have a tendency to (European) travel, they make sure to watch for it, often times seeing a travel that isn’t even there.

Speaking of referees… oh, man, they are absolutely, without a doubt, much worse than American officials.  Lane line violations are NEVER called.  I was told a couple games ago that if the shooter makes the shot it doesn’t matter if their own teammate comes into the key early.  I just shook my head and have decided if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em and I will often times be the first one into the lane.  As far as “and 1s” go, there could be many more but sometimes the ref won’t call the foul if the shooter makes the basket.  One referee even told my American teammate, “it depends on how hard the foul is.”  Um, right, so a foul isn’t a foul isn’t a foul??  So this leads to a lot of late whistles as they wait to see if the ball goes in and you can understand why that would be frustrating.

I tried to research what kind of training/testing German referees go through to become certified to officiate the top league in Germany but I couldn’t find anything.  I’ll admit it, I’ve never had the greatest relationships with officials but the ones in Germany are a whole other breed…

As far as the style of play and the basketball atmosphere goes—I’ve really gotten used to it but since my two American teammates are in their first and second years of playing overseas , I am often reminded of all the things that surprised me in the beginning, too!

The rubber floors! Ugh.  They are so hard on your knees and altogether more dusty and drab to play on.

The drums!  No matter how many (or how few) fans a team has you can be sure there will be drums.  Every gym has a couple fans who bang on big bass drums for (what feels like) the entire game.  I should just be thankful that vuvuzelas aren’t allowed.  You have to admire their tenacity though.

The speed!  Just about every team likes to run (more so now that I’m in the first league).  This might have a lot to do with the 24 second shot clock and 8 second back court.

The pick and roll! Wow, the Germans love them some pick and rolls.  And you gotta admit, they are hard to defend.

It’s cold!  I don’t think my fellow Americans have really noticed yet but this is something I don’t forget.  Once it gets to be winter, nearly every gym is freezing.  I’ve worn long-sleeve under armor more times than I care to say.

Fundamentals…?  Where are they?  I think basketball is just coming into its own here in Germany, therefore experienced and talented coaches are hard to come by and when you find one, it’s rare they are coaching the youth (where you learn your fundamentals).  I help coach a u13 team here and I’m really hoping, if nothing else, they learn and retain a few of the “little things.”

Danielle Clark

About Danielle Clark

I am 28 years old and for 5 years out of college I played basketball for a living. I was a professional basketball player in Europe so I spent most of my years there and came back to Maine for summers and a couple weeks at Christmas time. I thought my years there would open my eyes to what I want to be when I "grow up." That didn't happen. I have discovered, however, that I just have to try something. Just do things and toss myself into them. I have currently tossed myself into being a college basketball assistant coach and one on one reading tutor. I grew up in Corinna, Maine and have been a resident Mainer. I love sports, reading, writing, cooking, baking, watching movies... everything. I have lots of hobbies and not enough time in the day!