Kristian Ferrell
Basketball is a game of turns, with each team having the opportunity to possess the ball. Possession is a fundamental concept in basketball and is critical to understanding the game's analytics. It is defined by the NBA as a team having the ball through holding, dribbling, or passing, and it ends when there is a field goal attempt or the defensive team gains possession. Pace, offensive efficiency, and defensive efficiency metrics are all based on possession calculations, with the most successful teams being those that can maximise their possessions. Possession arrow, jump balls, and other rules also come into play to determine which team gets the ball and when.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A possession is defined by the NBA as "Section XVIII-Team Possession". |
| Possession criteria | A team is in possession when a player is holding, dribbling, or passing the ball. |
| Possession end | Team possession ends when the defensive team gains possession or there is a field goal attempt. |
| Possession arrow | The possession arrow determines which team gets the possession of the ball without having to jump for it. |
| Jump ball | A jump ball occurs when two teams center on two players jumping for the ball. The possession arrow remains off until one team attains possession of the ball after the jump ball. |
| Possession calculation | Possession is calculated by aggregating field goals, free throws, turnovers, and offensive rebounds. |
| Pace and possession | Overtime games, higher transition opportunities, and shorter possession lengths can increase the pace of a game. |
| Points per possession | The number of possessions is fixed, so teams aim for a higher points per possession to score more than their opponents. |
| Advanced statistics | Possession calculations are used to derive advanced statistics such as turnover percentage, offensive/defensive ratings, and net rating. |
| Efficiency | Possession is fundamental to understanding offensive and defensive efficiency in basketball. |
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What You'll Learn
How to start a basketball game and gain initial possession
A basketball game begins with a tip-off, also known as a jump ball, at the centre of the court. The referee tosses the ball into the air, and players from each team jump to gain possession of the ball as it falls back down. The player who touches the ball first will usually try to pass it to a teammate. This sets the tone for the rest of the game, showcasing the players' athleticism and competitiveness.
The team that wins the tip-off is called the offensive team, and they will try to get the ball through the opposition's hoop or score a field goal. They can do this by passing or dribbling the ball. The team without the ball is called the defensive team, and they will try to steal the ball, contest shots, deflect passes, and garner rebounds.
If the offensive team puts the ball into play behind the mid-court line, they have ten seconds to get the ball over the line. If they fail to do so, the defensive team gains possession. Once the offensive team gets the ball over the mid-court line, they can no longer go back into their half with the ball. If they do, the defensive team is awarded the ball.
The jump ball is a crucial moment in the game, as it determines which team will have the initial possession. In the NBA and WNBA, jump balls can also happen during the game if there is a "tie-up", where two players from opposing teams seem to simultaneously have possession of the ball.
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How to dribble, pass, and shoot during possession
Dribbling
Dribbling is a fundamental skill in basketball that requires a lot of practice to master. Here are some key techniques to help you improve your dribbling:
- Get into a low, defensive stance by spreading your feet shoulder-width apart, bending your knees, and dropping your hips back slightly. Keep your head up and shoulders square.
- Use one hand to control the ball, touching it with your fingers and fingertips, not your palm.
- Keep your hand on top of the ball during the dribble, allowing it to bounce into your fingertips on its "up" bounce. This prevents a carrying violation, where you momentarily "catch" the ball by holding its underside.
- Keep the dribble low to the ground, making quick, short bounces. This makes it harder for opponents to steal the ball.
- When near defenders, dribble to the side, keeping your body between them and the ball.
- Maintain possession by shielding the ball with your non-dribbling arm.
Passing
Passing is an essential skill in basketball, used to create scoring opportunities for your team. Here are some common types of passes:
- Chest pass: Thrown with two hands from the passer's chest area towards a teammate's chest area.
- Bounce pass: Thrown with sufficient strength and angle so that it bounces towards a teammate, preferably near their chest or waist.
- Overhead pass: Thrown with two hands over the passer's head towards a teammate.
- Baseball pass: Thrown using a throwing motion similar to a pitcher's throw in baseball.
- Dribble pass: The passer dribbles the ball and then immediately throws it, usually with one hand, to an open teammate.
- Fake pass: The passer pretends to pass to a teammate to deceive a defender before executing a different action.
Shooting
Shooting is considered the most important skill in basketball, as it directly leads to scoring points. Here are some key techniques to improve your shooting:
- Grip the ball correctly: Position your shooting hand so that your fingertips are perpendicular to the seams. Place your non-shooting hand on the side of the ball as a guide.
- Stance and footwork: Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with your shooting foot slightly ahead of your non-shooting foot. Turn your feet 10 to 45 degrees towards your non-shooting side, and align your shoulder, hip, and elbow with the basket.
- Locate your target: Look at the net or the spot on the backboard you want to hit.
- Use your legs: Jump slightly forward, straightening your knees and leaning your shoulders back. This helps propel the ball and gives it more arc.
- Follow-through: After releasing the ball, you can follow its flight or continue looking at the rim. Ensure your body remains balanced, and your shoulders relaxed.
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How to maximise efficiency and scoring during possession
Possession in basketball is a fundamental concept that underpins many advanced topics in the sport. Each team aims to maximise efficiency and scoring during their possessions, as this increases their chances of winning the game. Here are some strategies to achieve this:
Understanding the Basics of Possession
Firstly, it's crucial to understand what constitutes a possession. According to the NBA, a team is in possession when a player is holding, dribbling, or passing the ball. Possession ends when the defensive team gains control of the ball through a turnover, a field goal, or a free throw. Offensive rebounds do not end possessions; they extend them. Thus, a team that grabs three offensive rebounds after three missed shots is still considered to be in a single possession.
Focus on Efficiency
Basketball is a game of efficiency. The goal is not to maximise possessions but to make the most of each possession. Increasing your team's offensive efficiency increases the likelihood of scoring more points than your opponent. A "pick and roll" offence is a highly efficient way to run a possession, often leading to easier shots than a long two-point jump shot.
Maximising Possessions
While maximising possessions is not the primary goal, it is still advantageous to increase your team's number of possessions. This can be achieved by reducing turnovers and increasing offensive rebounds. However, it's important to note that taking quick, ill-advised shots in the name of gaining more possessions can decrease your team's offensive efficiency.
Advanced Analytics
Advanced analytics can provide valuable insights to improve possession efficiency. For example, the Player Efficiency Rating (PER) analyses player productivity normalised to the tempo of the team. Other metrics like spacing metrics and the "super plus-minus" can also be utilised to identify areas for improvement. These analytics can help tailor an offensive strategy to your team's strengths, increasing the likelihood of successful possessions.
Calculating Possession Efficiency
To calculate possession efficiency, you can use the formula: Points = (pts/possession) * (possessions). This formula highlights the importance of increasing "points per possession" to gain a scoring advantage over your opponent. Additionally, turnover percentage can be calculated by dividing the total number of turnovers by total possessions, indicating the percentage of possessions that end in turnovers.
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How to calculate and analyse possession statistics
Possession is a fundamental metric in basketball analytics. It is defined by the NBA as a team possession when a player is holding, dribbling, or passing the ball, ending when the defensive team gains control. Possession calculations are crucial for understanding pace, offensive efficiency, and defensive efficiency metrics.
To calculate possession, several formulas can be used, with slight variations depending on the league and specific circumstances. One common formula is:
> FGA + 0.44 x FTA - ORB + TO
Here, FGA refers to field goal attempts, FTA to free-throw attempts (multiplied by 0.44 to account for instances where free throws do not result in possession changes), ORB represents offensive rebounds, and TO stands for turnovers. This formula provides an estimated number of possessions for a team or an individual player.
Another formula mentioned by Dean Oliver defines possession from a mathematical perspective, considering it a game action that starts when a player gets the ball and ends when specific criteria are met, such as a shot attempt or a turnover. Oliver's formula gives more weight to offensive rebounds after missed field goals, recognising that rebounds after free throws are less common.
When analysing possession statistics, it's important to consider the pace of the game. The number of possessions can vary depending on factors like overtime periods, transition opportunities, and possession lengths. By adjusting the possession count to 100, analysts can calculate offensive and defensive efficiency metrics more effectively.
Additionally, advanced statistics such as turnover percentage, offensive and defensive ratings, and points per possession (PPP) build upon possession calculations. PPP, in particular, is valuable for controlling pace and understanding points scored or allowed per possession.
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How to use the possession arrow and jump ball rules
The possession arrow and jump ball rules are used in basketball to determine which team gets possession of the ball. A jump ball typically occurs at the beginning of a basketball game, with two opposing players jumping to gain control of the ball after an official tosses it into the air between them. The possession arrow comes into play when a referee calls for a jump ball during the game, indicating which team will gain possession without having to jump for it.
In college basketball, the possession arrow is turned on after the initial jump ball at the start of the game, pointing towards the team that lost the opening tip. This team is then given the ball during the next alternating-possession situation. The arrow is reversed if the team with possession commits a throw-in violation or if any player causes the ball to go out of bounds. If the game goes into overtime, the possession arrow is reset, and the overtime period begins with another jump ball.
The NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball have different rules for jump balls and possession arrows. While they no longer use jump balls to start the second, third, and fourth quarters, they still use them at the beginning of the game and sometimes after halftime. The possession arrow rules vary, and other leagues may have their own implementations.
It's worth noting that 3x3, a formalized version of half-court three-on-three basketball, does not use jump balls at any point in the game. Instead, the first possession is determined by a pre-game coin toss, and held balls are automatically awarded to the defensive team during the game.
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Frequently asked questions
Possession in basketball is when a team has the opportunity to hold, dribble, pass, or shoot the ball. The team with possession is called the offense, and they will try to score while the other team, called the defense, will try to prevent them from scoring.
Possession works by teams taking turns. When one team has the ball, the other team does not, and they trade possessions back and forth until the game ends. A possession can end with a turnover, a field goal attempt, or a free throw.
Possession is calculated by aggregating field goals, free throws, turnovers, and offensive rebounds. The total number of free-throw attempts is multiplied by 0.44 to estimate possessions that end with free-throw attempts. This accounts for technical foul shots and "and-1s" that do not result in possession changes.
The possession arrow is used in college basketball to determine which team gets the ball after a jump ball situation without having to jump for it. The arrow points in the direction of the team that lost the opening tip-off and will get the ball during the next alternating-possession situation.
