Helena Frye
Possession is a fundamental aspect of basketball, referring to the physical control of the ball by one team, which grants them the opportunity to score. The rules governing possession vary across different sports and even within the same sport, such as the distinction between college basketball and professional basketball. In basketball, possession changes occur when one team yields the ball to the opponent, allowing them to hold, dribble, or pass. This can happen through various mechanisms, such as a field goal attempt, turnovers, rebounds, or free throws. Possession is a critical factor in understanding basketball analytics and strategy, with metrics like pace, offensive efficiency, and defensive efficiency derived from possession calculations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possession definition | Physical control of the ball by one team, which gives them the opportunity to score |
| Possession start | Determined by a coin flip, home team status, or equal opportunity to take possession (e.g., jump ball in basketball) |
| Possession exchange | Occurs when the offensive team scores or the defensive team gains control of a "live" ball through actions like a steal or interception |
| Possession calculation | Includes field goal attempts, missed shots without offensive rebounds, turnovers, and free throws |
| Possession arrow | Used in college basketball to determine possession without a jump ball; it alternates between teams and is reset in overtime |
| Possession analytics | Includes metrics like pace, offensive/defensive efficiency, and Player Efficiency Rating (PER) |
| Strategy | A leading team may retain possession without scoring to deny the opponent possession |
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What You'll Learn
Jump balls and the possession arrow
A jump ball is a method used to begin or resume play in basketball. It involves two opposing players attempting to gain control of the ball after an official tosses it into the air between them.
The possession arrow, on the other hand, is a rule that differentiates college basketball from professional basketball. It is officially known as the alternating-possession procedure and is used to put the ball in play with a throw-in rather than a jump ball. This rule comes into play during an alternating-possession situation, such as a held ball, a free-throw violation, or a technical foul. The possession arrow is pointed towards the team that lost the opening tip-off and is then switched to the other team after each jump ball.
The use of the possession arrow in college basketball has been a controversial topic. Some argue that it is more fair than relying solely on jump balls, as it guarantees that each team will have possession half of the time. However, others believe that jump balls are a vital part of the sport and that the arrow takes away from the excitement of the game.
In overtime periods, the possession arrow is reset, and play begins with a jump ball, following the same format as the start of the game. If additional overtime periods are needed, the arrow is reset again after the initial jump ball.
It is worth noting that the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball have moved away from using jump balls for second through fourth-quarter possessions, instead opting for automatic possession grants to the team that lost the opening tip-off.
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Turnovers
In basketball, turnovers are a crucial aspect of the game where possession changes hands before a team gets a chance to attempt a shot. A turnover occurs when the offensive team loses possession of the ball without attempting a shot, resulting in the defensive team gaining possession. This can happen due to various actions or inactions by the offensive team, such as a stolen pass, throwing the ball out of bounds, or committing violations like travelling or double dribbling.
The concept of turnovers was first officially recorded in the American Basketball Association (ABA) during the 1967-68 season. Since then, various basketball leagues, including the NBA and WNBA, have tracked turnovers to gain insights into team and player performance. Understanding turnovers is essential as it highlights the importance of each possession and the impact of lost opportunities to score.
There are two main categories of turnovers: violations and player errors. Violations occur when a player breaks a specific rule, instantly resulting in a change of possession. Common violations include travelling (taking more than the allowed steps without dribbling), three-second violations (an offensive player lingering in the key for too long), and backcourt violations (bringing the ball back into the backcourt after establishing possession in the frontcourt).
Player errors leading to turnovers can include throwing a bad pass, stepping out of bounds, or committing an offensive foul. These mistakes can result in live-ball turnovers, where the turnover occurs while the ball is still in play, or dead-ball turnovers, where the whistle is blown while a player has possession.
In summary, turnovers in basketball refer to the loss of possession by the offensive team without attempting a shot. They can occur due to violations, player errors, or other factors. Understanding and managing turnovers is crucial to a team's strategy and overall success in the game.
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Possession calculations and analytics
Possession Definition
The NBA defines possession as "Section XVIII-Team Possession." Specifically, a team is considered in possession when a player is holding, dribbling, or passing the ball. Possession ends when the defensive team gains control or there is a field goal attempt. However, it's important to note that a field goal attempt doesn't always indicate the end of a possession, as technical free throws, for example, do not count as possessions.
Possession Calculation Methods
There are various methods to calculate and track possessions in basketball:
- Box Scores: Basic box scores provide statistics such as rebounds, steals, assists, and points. However, determining the number of possessions from a box score is challenging, especially regarding free throws and turnovers.
- Play-by-Play Data: More detailed play-by-play data is required for advanced analytics like the "super plus-minus" metric. This data enables a more precise count and analysis of possessions.
- Possession Arrows (College Basketball): In college basketball, the possession arrow is used instead of a jump ball to speed up the game and prevent injuries. The arrow alternates between teams when possession is in question, such as during held balls.
Possession-Based Analytics
Possession-based analytics provide valuable insights into team and player performance:
- Pace: Possession data helps calculate the pace of a team's gameplay.
- Offensive and Defensive Efficiency: These metrics are based on possession calculations, typically adjusted to 100 possessions for meaningful comparisons.
- Player Efficiency Rating (PER): This metric analyzes player productivity normalized for team tempo, typically on a "per minute" or "per possession" basis.
- Spacing Metrics: These analytics identify the average spacing for a team's plays and expected positive actions.
Strategies and Tactics
Understanding possession strategies can provide a competitive advantage:
- Running Time Off the Clock: In timed sports like basketball, a leading team may retain possession without scoring to deny the opposition opportunities.
- Turnovers: Turnovers occur when possession changes due to factors like steals, violations, or fouls. Minimizing turnovers is crucial for maintaining offensive opportunities.
- Alternating Possession Situations (College Basketball): Understanding the rules for alternating possessions, such as held balls or free-throw violations, can help teams strategically gain possession during critical moments.
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Possession in college basketball
Possession is a fundamental concept in basketball, and understanding it is crucial for analysing a team's performance. In college basketball, the possession arrow is a distinctive feature that sets it apart from professional leagues. This alternating-possession procedure is used in place of a jump ball to resume play in certain situations.
The possession arrow is a rule unique to college basketball, officially called the alternating-possession procedure. It is used to put the ball back into play with a throw-in, rather than a jump ball, during alternating-possession situations. These situations can include a held ball, a free-throw violation, a technical foul, or when a live ball becomes wedged between the backboard and rim. The possession arrow ensures that teams take turns gaining possession, speeding up the game and preventing injuries that could occur during a jump ball.
Every college basketball game starts with a jump ball at centre court. After the opening tip-off, the possession arrow is activated and points towards the team that lost the initial tip-off. This team will be awarded possession during the next alternating-possession situation. The arrow remains in use throughout the game, alternating possession between teams when required.
If the game goes into overtime, the possession arrow is reset, and the overtime period begins with a jump ball, following the same format as the start of the game. If additional overtime periods are needed, the arrow is reset again after each initial jump ball. Additionally, the direction of the arrow is changed at halftime to account for the teams switching ends of the court, ensuring that the team that had possession at the end of the first half retains it at the start of the second.
In terms of analytics, possession in basketball is calculated differently. A team is considered to be in possession when a player is holding, dribbling, or passing the ball. Possession ends when the defensive team gains control or there is a field goal attempt. However, this definition has evolved, as a field goal attempt does not always indicate the end of a possession. Technical free-throws, for instance, do not count as possessions. To estimate possessions, various multipliers are used, taking into account factors such as free throws and offensive rebounds.
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Possession at the start of a game
Possession is one of the most fundamental concepts in basketball. The team with possession is on offence, trying to score, while the other team is on defence, trying to prevent them from scoring. The more successful a team is during their possession, the more likely they are to win the game.
In college basketball, every game starts with a jump ball at centre court. The possession arrow is a rule that differentiates college basketball from professional basketball. It is officially known as the alternating-possession procedure and is defined as "a method of putting the ball in play with a throw-in rather than a jump ball". The possession arrow remains off until one team gains possession of the ball after the tip-off. Once that happens, it is turned on and points to the team that lost the opening tip. That team will be given the ball when the next alternating-possession situation happens.
Alternating-possession situations can include a held ball, a free-throw violation, or a technical foul, when no team is in control, and a live ball becoming wedged between the backboard and the rim. The arrow will also be reversed if any player touches and causes the ball to go out of bounds, or if the throw-in team commits a throw-in violation.
In the NBA, possession is defined as a team possession when a player is holding, dribbling, or passing the ball. Team possession ends when the defensive team gains possession or there is a field goal attempt.
The ball can only change hands in four different ways:
- Your team makes a shot.
- Your team misses a shot and doesn't get an offensive rebound.
- Your team turns the ball over.
- Your team goes to the line for two or three shots and either makes the last shot or doesn't get the rebound of a missed last shot.
The first three situations can be calculated from a box score, but the last one cannot.
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Frequently asked questions
Possession at the start of a basketball game may be determined by a jump ball, where two players from opposing teams jump for the ball at the same time.
Possession changes when the defensive team gains control of the ball or there is a field goal attempt. Other ways possession can change include the offensive team scoring, a player committing a violation, or the ball going out of bounds.
College basketball uses the possession arrow, which is defined as "a method of putting the ball in play with a throw-in rather than a jump ball." The arrow alternates between the two teams when possession is in question.
Possession is an important metric in basketball analytics. Pace, offensive efficiency, and defensive efficiency metrics are all based on possession calculations. Possession data can be derived from box scores, which provide basic statistics such as rebounds, steals, assists, and points.
