
Basketball is a team sport played by two teams of five players each, who try to score by shooting a ball through a hoop. The game is divided into two halves or four quarters, depending on the level at which it is played. At the beginning of the game, a tip-off is typically used to determine which team gets the first possession. In college basketball, the possession arrow is used to determine which team gets the ball after halftime. The possession arrow is defined as a method of putting the ball in play with a throw-in rather than a jump ball. The arrow is flipped at halftime to account for the teams switching ends of the court, and the team that has the arrow will be awarded the throw-in to begin the second half.
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What You'll Learn

Teams switch ends and possession arrow direction changes
In basketball, teams switch ends at halftime, and the possession arrow direction changes. This rule ensures fairness, as the team that started the game without possession will get it at the beginning of the second half. This is known as the alternating-possession procedure, and it applies to situations where no team is in control of the ball, such as a held ball or a free-throw violation.
The possession arrow is flipped to point towards the other basket since the teams switch baskets at halftime. This means that the team with the possession arrow at halftime gets to start the second half with the ball. For example, if Team A has the arrow at halftime, it points towards the basket they are shooting at.
In college basketball, the possession arrow is also used to determine possession in overtime if the game goes into extra time. The arrow is reset, and overtime begins with a jump ball, following the same format as the start of the game. If there are additional overtime periods, the arrow is reset again after the initial jump ball.
In some cases, a jump ball may be called by a referee mid-game, and the possession arrow is used to determine which team gets possession without having to jump for it. This scenario is more common in children's sports, where there is typically only one jump ball at the beginning of the game.
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Possession arrow determines who gets the ball after halftime
The possession arrow 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 is used during an alternating-possession situation, which can include a held ball, a free-throw violation, or a technical foul.
At the beginning of a basketball game, a tip-off is typically used to determine which team gets the first possession. Then, in the second half, the team that did not start with the ball in the first half gets the first possession. This typically follows a Team A-Team B-Team B-Team A format for a four-quarter game.
The possession arrow is used to determine which team gets possession after halftime. The direction of the arrow is 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. For instance, if Team A has the arrow, the arrow points towards the basket that Team A is shooting at. The team that has the possession arrow at halftime is awarded the throw-in to begin the second half.
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Teams alternate taking the ball out of bounds for a throw-in
Basketball is played by two teams, each with five players, who switch sides of the court at halftime. The team that doesn't have possession of the ball at the end of the first half will get it at the start of the second half. This is known as the alternating-possession procedure.
The alternating-possession procedure is a method of putting the ball in play with a throw-in rather than a jump ball. The possession arrow is used to indicate which team will get the ball after halftime. The arrow is pointed towards the basket that the team is shooting at. At halftime, the teams switch baskets, so the arrow is flipped to point towards the other basket.
The possession arrow is also used to determine possession during an alternating-possession situation, which can include a held ball, a free-throw violation, or a technical foul. In these situations, the team that is indicated by the arrow will be given possession of the ball.
After halftime, the teams will alternate taking the ball out of bounds for a throw-in. This means that if one team had possession of the ball at the end of the first half and was awarded the throw-in to start the second half, the other team will get the next throw-in. This back-and-forth pattern will continue for the rest of the game.
It's important to note that these rules may vary slightly depending on the league and level of play, such as in college or high school basketball.
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Possession can change due to a backcourt violation
The rules for basketball possession after halftime depend on the league and the specific competition rules. In college basketball, the possession arrow determines which team gets the ball first in the second half. The possession arrow is defined as "a method of putting the ball in play with a throw-in rather than a jump ball." The arrow is pointed towards the basket that the team with possession is attacking. The arrow is flipped at halftime so that it points towards the other basket, as the teams switch 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.
In other leagues, such as the NBA, WNBA, and FIBA, the first possession of the second half typically goes to the team that did not have possession at the start of the game. Sometimes, a jump ball may also be used after halftime to determine possession.
Another way a backcourt violation can occur is if the offense does not advance the ball from the backcourt to the frontcourt within 10 seconds. This is called a 10-second violation. It's important to note that the 10-second count does not end until the offense has established possession in the frontcourt, which means that a player must have caught the ball in the frontcourt to avoid the violation.
The penalty for a backcourt violation is a dead-ball turnover by the offense, resulting in the ball being given to the other team. The defense will be granted possession near the sideline or baseline, depending on where the violation occurred. Backcourt violations can be tricky to understand and enforce, even for coaches, players, and referees. However, with practice and a good understanding of the rules, they can be avoided.
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Possession can be retained after free throws if a flagrant foul occurs
In basketball, the team that did not have the first possession of the game will get the first possession after halftime. This typically follows a Team A-Team B-Team B-Team A format. In college basketball, the possession arrow is switched prior to the start of the second half to account for 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.
Now, regarding your specific query, yes, possession can be retained after free throws if a flagrant foul occurs. According to the NBA's official rules, technical fouls shall be assessed to players, coaches, or trainers for fighting, and no free throws will be attempted. If a fighting foul occurs with a team in possession of the ball, that team will retain possession on the sideline nearest the spot where play was interrupted but no nearer to the baseline than the free-throw line extended. If a technical foul is assessed before the opening tap, any player listed as a starter is eligible to attempt the free throw.
Additionally, personal fouls that are flagrant, punching, away-from-the-play, or clear-path-to-the-basket will carry separate penalties and are included in the team foul total. If a double foul occurs, the team in possession of the ball at the time of the call shall retain possession.
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Frequently asked questions
The team that didn't have the first possession of the game will get it at the start of the second half. Teams switch ends of the court at halftime, so the possession arrow is changed to account for this.
The possession arrow is a method of putting the ball in play with a throw-in rather than a jump ball. It is used during an alternating-possession situation, which can include a held ball, a free-throw violation, or a technical foul.
A held ball occurs when two or more opposing players gain possession of the ball at the same time. The referee will stop the action and award the ball to one team or the other on a rotating basis.
The team with the ball is called the offense. The team without the ball is called the defense. The defense tries to steal the ball, contest shots, steal and deflect passes, and garner rebounds.











































