Amanda Knapp
The possession arrow, also known as the alternating-possession procedure, is a rule in basketball that determines which team gets the ball after a jump ball situation. A jump ball occurs when the referee throws the ball into the air for two opposing players to jump and try to gain control of it. The possession arrow comes into play during an alternating-possession situation, which can include a held ball, a free-throw violation, or a technical foul when no team is in control. The arrow points in the direction of the team that will be awarded possession of the ball, with the arrow then swapping to point to the other team after the situation is resolved. This rule was adopted in college basketball in 1981 and is used in many competitions outside of the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball.
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What You'll Learn
The arrow points to the team that lost the opening tip
The possession arrow is a rule unique to college basketball, differentiating it from professional basketball. It is officially known as the alternating-possession procedure, and it is used to put the ball in play with a throw-in instead of a jump ball. The possession arrow is not turned on until one team gains possession of the ball after the tip-off. Once that happens, the arrow points in the direction of the team that lost the opening tip-off.
A jump ball occurs when two opposing players attempt to gain control of the ball after an official tosses it into the air between them. It is used to begin or resume play in basketball. Originally, jump balls were used to restart play at the beginning of every quarter and after each basket was scored. However, the NCAA and NBA dropped jump balls after baskets in the mid-20th century. The NBA also stopped using jump balls for 2nd-4th quarter possession in 1975.
The NCAA implemented alternating possession rules in 1981, awarding possession sequentially for all jump ball situations after the opening tip-off at the beginning of the game. The arrow then swaps to point to the other team. The WNBA and Euroleague Basketball have also adopted the NBA's jump ball rules, while other leagues have implemented alternating possession.
The decision to adopt the alternating possession arrow rule in college basketball was based on the belief that referees were not consistently ensuring fair tosses. This decision has been controversial, with advocates arguing that it is more fair, while opponents argue that jump balls are a vital part of the sport.
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It determines possession without a jump ball
The possession arrow is a rule unique to college basketball that determines which team gets the ball after the opening tip-off without the need for a jump ball. It is officially called the alternating-possession procedure. The arrow remains off until one team gains possession after the tip-off. Once that happens, it is turned on and points in the direction of the team that lost the opening tip-off. That team will be awarded the ball when the next alternating-possession situation occurs.
The possession arrow is used in situations where no team is in control, such as a held ball, a free-throw violation, or a technical foul. It can also be used when a live ball becomes wedged between the backboard and the rim. The possession arrow ensures that possession alternates between the two teams without the need for a jump ball.
The use of the possession arrow is controversial. Its advocates argue that it is more fair than relying on a jump ball, but opponents argue that jump balls are a vital part of the sport. The decision to adopt the possession arrow rule was made in 1981 by college basketball league executives, who believed that referees could not consistently ensure fair tosses.
The possession arrow is not used in the NBA, WNBA, or Euroleague Basketball, which use jump balls to settle all jump ball situations after the opening tip. However, the NBA stopped using jump balls for 2nd-4th quarter possession in 1975.
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It's used in college basketball, FIBA, and more
The possession arrow, also known as the alternating-possession procedure, is a rule used in college basketball, FIBA, and other competitions to determine possession of the ball without a jump ball. It is used in situations where there is a held ball, a free-throw violation, or a technical foul, and no team is clearly in control of the ball.
In college basketball, the possession arrow was introduced in 1981 by the NCAA as they believed referees were unable to consistently ensure fair tosses during jump balls. The rule states that every game starts with a jump ball at center court, and the possession arrow remains off until one team gains possession after the tip-off. Once that happens, the arrow is turned on and points towards the team that lost the opening tip. This team is then given possession of the ball during the next alternating-possession situation.
FIBA, the international governing body for basketball, adopted the alternating possession rule in 2003 with a slight modification. In FIBA overtime periods, play begins with the arrow, and the first possession is determined by a pre-game coin toss. The winner of the coin toss can choose to have possession at the start of the game or at the start of a potential overtime. FIBA also oversees 3x3 basketball, which does not use jump balls at any time during the game.
The possession arrow is also used in other competitions besides the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball. It helps to settle jump ball situations and ensures that possession is awarded fairly to both teams.
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It's also known as the alternating-possession procedure
The possession arrow, also known as the alternating-possession procedure, is a rule that differentiates college basketball from professional basketball. It is defined in the NCAA rulebook as "a method of putting the ball in play with a throw-in rather than a jump ball".
The possession arrow comes into play during an alternating-possession situation, which can include a held ball, a free-throw violation, or a technical foul when no team is in control. It also applies when a live ball becomes wedged between the backboard and the rim.
Every NCAA basketball game starts with a jump ball at center court. A jump ball involves two opposing players attempting to gain control of the ball after an official tosses it into the air between them. The possession arrow remains off until one team gains possession of the ball after the tip-off. Once that happens, it's turned on and points in the direction of the team that lost the opening tip. This team will be given the ball when the next alternating-possession situation happens.
The alternating possession arrow rule was adopted in college basketball in 1981 based on the belief that referees were not consistently able to ensure fair tosses. This decision has been controversial, with opponents arguing that jump balls are a vital part of the sport. However, advocates of the alternating possession arrow rule argue that it promotes fairness in the game.
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The rule was adopted in 1981
The possession arrow rule, also known as the alternating-possession procedure, is used in college basketball to determine which team gets the ball following a jump ball or other alternating-possession situation. This includes a held ball, a free-throw violation, or a technical foul when no team is in control. The arrow indicates the team that will gain possession of the ball, moving in their direction on offense.
The possession arrow is pointed towards the team that lost the opening tip-off at the start of the game. During the game, whenever a jump ball situation occurs, the team in the direction of the arrow is awarded possession, and the arrow then switches to the other team. This rule was implemented to reduce the impact of inconsistent tosses by referees, which could previously influence the outcome of games.
The adoption of the possession arrow rule in 1981 was a significant change to college basketball, addressing concerns about the fairness of referee tosses and reducing the reliance on jump balls. This rule has since been adopted by other organizations, with modifications, such as the FIBA rule, which starts overtime periods with the arrow.
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Frequently asked questions
The possession arrow, or alternating-possession procedure, is a rule in basketball that determines which team gets the ball after a jump ball situation, without actually having to jump for it.
The possession arrow rule comes into play during an alternating-possession situation, which can include: a held ball, a free-throw violation, or technical foul, when no team is in control and a live ball becoming wedged between the backboard and the rim.
The possession arrow points in the direction of the team that lost the opening tip-off. That team will be awarded the ball during the next alternating-possession situation. After that, the arrow switches direction, pointing to the other team.
The possession arrow rule is used in most competitions outside of the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball. It was first introduced in college basketball in 1981 and has since been adopted by other leagues.
