Ayrton Oneill
In basketball, the rules regarding possession at the end and beginning of a quarter can be confusing for players and spectators alike. The rules vary depending on the league and level of play, with differences between the NBA, WNBA, Euroleague, FIBA, and college and high school basketball. The NBA, for example, grants possession at the beginning of the second and third quarters to the team that lost the opening tip-off and possession in the fourth quarter to the team that won the opening tip-off. Other leagues, such as the WNBA and Euroleague, have also adopted the NBA's jump ball rules. In college basketball, the possession arrow rule, which points to the team that will get the ball when an alternating-possession situation occurs, comes into play. This rule was implemented to ensure fair play, as referees were not consistently able to ensure fair tosses during jump balls.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possession at the start of the game | Determined by a tip-off or jump ball |
| Possession in the second quarter | Team that didn't start with the ball in the first quarter |
| Possession in the third quarter | Team that didn't start with the ball in the second quarter |
| Possession in the fourth quarter | Team that had possession at the start of the game |
| Overtime possession | Determined by a jump ball or the possession arrow |
| Alternating possession | Triggered by held balls, free-throw violations, technical fouls, or a live ball wedged between the backboard and rim |
Explore related products
$219.99
What You'll Learn
Possession rules at the start of a basketball game
In basketball, a tip-off or jump ball is typically used to determine the first possession of the game. A jump ball occurs when the ball is thrown up between two players, and possession is awarded to the team whose player successfully taps the ball to a teammate. In the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball, a jump ball occurs at the start of the game, the start of any extra period, to settle situations where penalties cancel out and neither team is entitled to the ball, and to settle any held balls.
After the opening tip, most competitions other than the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball use the alternating possession rule to settle all jump ball situations. This uses a possession arrow on the scorekeeper's table, which points to the team that lost the opening tip. Once that team gains possession of the ball after the tip-off, the arrow is reversed to point to the other team.
In the second half of a basketball game, the team that did not start with the ball in the first half gets the first possession. This typically follows a TeamA-TeamB-TeamB-TeamA format for a 4-quarter game. In the NBA, possession at the beginning of each period is determined by who had the first possession.
In overtime periods, the possession arrow is reset, and overtime begins with a jump ball, adhering to the same format as the start of the game.
UConn Men's Basketball: What Went Wrong?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
How the possession arrow works
The possession arrow is a rule in basketball that determines which team gets the ball following specific situations where no team has clear possession, such as a held ball, a free-throw violation, or a technical foul. This rule is particularly relevant in college basketball and differentiates it from professional basketball.
At the beginning of a basketball game, a jump ball is typically used to determine which team gets the first possession. In the NBA, the winner of this initial tip-off will also get possession at the start of the fourth quarter, while the losing team gets possession at the beginning of the second and third quarters. This pattern can be summarised as Team A-Team B-Team B-Team A.
The possession arrow comes into play after the initial tip-off. It remains off until one team gains possession of the ball. Once that happens, the arrow is activated and points towards the team that did not win the opening tip-off. This team will be awarded possession in the next alternating-possession situation. After this team successfully inbounds the ball, the arrow switches to the other team.
The possession arrow is also used during overtime situations in college basketball. If the game goes into overtime, the arrow is reset, and possession is determined through a jump ball, just like at the start of the game. If additional overtime periods are required, the arrow is reset again after the initial jump ball.
Creating a Badminton Racket from Cardboard
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Jump balls and their use
Jump balls are a method used to begin or resume play in basketball. Two opposing players attempt to gain control of the ball after an official tosses it into the air between them. Jump balls are relatively unregulated, with penalties rarely called on players who touch the ball before it has reached the peak of its throw. While height is an advantage, agility and the ability to time the throw are also important.
Jump balls were originally used to restart play at the beginning of every quarter and after each basket scored. However, the NBA and NCAA dropped jump balls after baskets in the mid-20th century. The NBA stopped using jump balls for 2nd-4th-quarter possession in 1975, and the NCAA implemented alternating possession rules in 1981. Now, the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball use jump balls at the start of the game and the start of any extra period, as well as to settle special situations.
In college basketball, the possession arrow rule was adopted in 1981, with the belief that referees could not consistently ensure fair tosses. This rule dictates that possession of the ball is awarded to the team that is moving in the direction of the possession arrow on offense. The arrow then swaps to point to the other team. At the start of the game, the arrow points to the team that lost the opening tip.
In overtime, the possession arrow is reset, and overtime begins with a jump ball. For each additional overtime, there is another jump ball.
Best Places to Buy APL Basketball Shoes
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Alternating possession rules
The rules regarding alternating possession in basketball can be a little confusing, even for players. The rules differ slightly depending on the league and level of basketball being played, from the NBA to high school games. Here is a breakdown of the rules:
NBA
In the NBA, the winner of the tip-off at the beginning of the game will also get possession at the start of the fourth quarter. The team that lost the initial tip-off will, therefore, get possession at the beginning of the second and third quarters.
High School and College Basketball
In high school and college basketball, the rules are similar. The possession arrow is used to determine which team gets the ball. The arrow points to one team, and they will be given the ball when the next alternating-possession situation occurs. After this, the arrow is reversed to point to the other team, who will then have possession. This process is repeated for every alternating-possession situation.
Overtime
If the game goes into overtime, the possession arrow is reset, and overtime begins with a jump ball, just like at the start of the game. For each additional overtime period, there is another jump ball to determine possession.
Technicalities
It is important to note that the possession arrow will be changed prior to the start of the second half to account for the teams switching ends of the court. This ensures that the team that had possession at the end of the first half will still have it to begin the second. Additionally, any foul committed by either team during a throw-in attempt will not result in the reversal of the possession arrow.
Freehand Shots: Mastering Badminton's Art Form
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Possession rules for overtime
In basketball, overtime is an exciting period of play that occurs when the score is tied at the end of regulation time. Overtime ensures that a winner is decided, and it consists of one five-minute period. Teams get one additional timeout, and timing restrictions are placed on when they can be called.
Overtime is not considered an extension of any quarter; instead, it is a separate period with its own rules regarding fouls and possession. In terms of fouls, overtime is considered an extension of the second half or the fourth quarter for the purposes of accumulated fouls. For example, if a team commits four or fewer team fouls in the quarter, the fouled team gains possession of the ball. Starting with the team's fifth foul in the quarter, the player fouled gets two free throws.
The possession arrow, which is specific to college basketball, comes into play during an alternating-possession situation. This occurs when there is a held ball, a free-throw violation, or a technical foul, and no team has control. At the start of overtime, a jump ball is executed, and the side that wins the jump ball takes initial possession, with the possession arrow then guiding alternating possessions.
In the NBA, possession at the beginning of each period, including overtime, is determined by who had the first possession. Tipping the ball out of bounds does not count as a possession.
Bland High School Basketball: A Lackluster Performance Review
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, if a team is on offense when the clock runs out, that is still considered their possession, even if they make the shot.
No, possession does not change at the end of a quarter. However, the team that did not start with the ball in the first half gets the first possession of the second half.
A '2 for 1' is a strategy used within the last minute of a quarter in which the team with possession times their shot to ensure they regain possession and have enough time to shoot again before time runs out.
A possession is considered to have ended with a made shot, a defensive rebound, a turnover, or the end of a quarter.
