Ayrton Oneill
The possession arrow is a critical component of basketball that can significantly impact the game's momentum and flow. It is a method of putting the ball in play through a throw-in rather than a jump ball, adding a layer of tactical depth to the sport. Possession is a fundamental metric for understanding basketball analytics, as it forms the basis for calculating pace, offensive efficiency, and defensive efficiency. Keeping track of the possession arrow is essential for players and coaches alike, as it influences game strategies and decisions. By understanding the nuances of the possession arrow, teams can capitalise on opportunities, make aggressive plays, and gain a competitive advantage over their opponents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How possession is determined | Possession is determined by a tip-off at the beginning of the game. |
| Possession arrow | The possession arrow is used to indicate which team will get the ball in the event of a tie-up or held ball situation. |
| Alternating possession | Possession alternates between teams throughout the game, with each team having an equal number of possessions. |
| Jump ball | A jump ball occurs when two players from opposing teams jump for the ball at the same time, usually at the beginning of the game or half. |
| Impact on strategy | The possession arrow adds a layer of strategy as it allows teams to plan their moves and decide whether to play aggressively or conservatively. |
| Offensive and defensive efficiency | Possession is used to calculate offensive and defensive efficiency metrics, providing insights into a team's performance. |
| Turnovers | Turnovers occur when a team loses possession of the ball, leading to a change in possession. |
| Rebounds | Rebounds occur when a player gains possession of the ball after a missed shot, either by their team or the opposing team. |
| Traveling | Traveling is a violation that occurs when a player moves with the ball beyond the allowed limits while in possession. |
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What You'll Learn
Understand the possession arrow and its nuances
The possession arrow is a rule that differentiates college basketball from professional basketball. Officially known as the alternating-possession procedure, it is a method of putting the ball in play with a throw-in rather than a jump ball. This rule 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 possession arrow is used to determine which team gets possession of the ball without having to jump for it.
Every NCAA basketball game starts with a jump ball at centre court. 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 occurs.
The arrow will be reversed if any player touches and causes the ball to go out of bounds, or if the team in possession commits a throw-in violation. However, any foul committed by either team during a throw-in attempt will not result in the reversal of the possession arrow. The arrow is then reversed after the procedure is complete, thus pointing to the team that didn't get the ball. They will then have possession in the next situation.
Additionally, the direction of the 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. In the event of overtime, the possession arrow is reset, and since overtime begins with a jump ball, the same format as the start of the game is followed.
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Know how to gain possession at the start of the game
Gaining possession at the start of a basketball game is determined by a jump ball. A jump ball occurs when two opposing players from each team jump for the ball at the same time at centre court. The referee will signal this by calling "jump ball" with two thumbs up.
The arrow on the scoreboard, known as the possession arrow, will point to the team that lost the opening tip-off, and they will be given possession when the next alternating-possession situation happens. This is known as the alternating-possession procedure.
In overtime, the possession arrow is reset, and another jump ball occurs. This adheres to the same format as the start of the game. If additional overtime periods are required, the arrow will be reset again after the initial jump ball.
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Learn the rules for gaining possession after a tie-up
In basketball, a tie-up, also known as a held ball, occurs when two players from opposing teams gain control of the ball simultaneously. This often results in a jump ball situation, where the referee calls for a jump ball, and the two players involved in the tie-up meet at half-court to redo the jump ball.
The possession arrow is then used to determine which team gains possession after the jump ball. The possession arrow is a rule that applies in college and high school basketball, differentiating it from professional basketball. It is defined as "a method of putting the ball in play with a throw-in rather than a jump ball." The arrow remains off until one team gains possession of the ball after the initial jump ball. Once that happens, the arrow is turned on and points towards the team that lost the opening tip-off. This team will be awarded possession in the next alternating-possession situation.
In the case of overtime, the possession arrow is reset, and since overtime begins with a jump ball, the same format as the start of the game is followed. If additional overtime periods are required, the arrow is reset again after the initial jump ball.
It's important to note that the possession arrow is not only used in tie-up situations but also in other alternating-possession scenarios. These include a free-throw violation, a technical foul when no team is in control, a live ball becoming wedged between the backboard and rim, and when two opponents commit simultaneous violations.
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Understand how to gain possession after a violation
In basketball, a violation is an infraction of the rules that does not involve physical contact and typically results in a change of possession or a restart at a specified spot on the court. Violations are distinct from fouls, which involve illegal personal contact with an opponent.
There are several ways to gain possession after a violation, depending on the specific violation that occurred. Here are some common scenarios:
- Shot Clock Violation: If the shot clock expires before the offensive team attempts a shot, it results in a shot clock violation. The defensive team gains possession, and the game is restarted at the midcourt line or the original spot of the throw-in.
- Eight-Second Violation: In the NBA and WNBA, the offensive team has only eight seconds to move the ball from their backcourt to the frontcourt once they gain possession. If they fail to do so, it results in an eight-second violation, and the defensive team gains possession at the midcourt line.
- Lane Violation: Lane violations occur during free-throw attempts when a shooter or their teammate violates the free-throw lane rules. For example, the shooter must not cross the free-throw line before the shot hits the rim or backboard. If a lane violation is called on a made basket, the basket is usually disallowed, and the defensive team gains possession.
- Out-of-Bounds Violation: If a player with the ball steps out of bounds, or if a team causes the ball to go out of bounds, it results in a turnover. The opposing team gains possession at the spot where the ball went out of bounds or on the sideline nearest the spot of the violation.
- Illegal Assist: An illegal assist occurs when a player uses the rim, net, or backboard to lift or support themselves while attempting to score. This violation results in a loss of possession for the offensive team, and the defensive team gains possession.
It's important to note that the rules regarding violations and possession changes may vary slightly between different basketball organizations and leagues, such as the NBA, WNBA, NCAA, and high school basketball. Additionally, some violations may have specific exceptions or conditions that can affect how possession is gained or retained.
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Know how to calculate offensive and defensive efficiency numbers
Offensive and defensive efficiency numbers are crucial metrics in basketball analytics, providing insights into a team's or player's performance. Here's a detailed guide on how to calculate these efficiency numbers:
Offensive Efficiency
Offensive efficiency focuses on the simple question: "How many points does a team or player score per possession?" It quantifies the ability to score each time they have the ball. The formula for offensive efficiency is:
> Offensive Efficiency = 100 * (Points Scored / Possessions)
A possession refers to the sequence of events created by a team until they either score a basket (including free throws) or lose the ball. One possession can include multiple scoring attempts, and it consists of one or more plays. Plays encompass all possible scoring opportunities, including non-shooting fouls.
Individual Offensive Rating
Introduced by Dean Oliver in his book, "Basketball on Paper," the individual offensive rating delves deeper into efficiency. It calculates the number of points produced by a player per hundred total individual possessions. The formula for total possessions includes four components:
- Scoring Possessions
- Missed FG Possessions
- Missed FT Possessions
- Turnovers
Among these, the scoring possessions formula is the most intricate, taking into account factors such as field goal attempts, assists, free throws, offensive rebounds, and team-specific variables.
Defensive Efficiency
While offensive efficiency focuses on a team's ability to score, defensive efficiency looks at how well they prevent their opponents from scoring. These two metrics are interconnected, as a team's offensive efficiency is equivalent to its opponent's defensive efficiency and vice versa.
Individual Defensive Rating
Calculating individual defensive ratings can be more challenging due to the limited defensive data available in basic box scores. These ratings are influenced by the team's overall defensive efficiency, assuming all teammates contribute equally to forcing turnovers and misses. The individual defensive rating formula is:
> DRtg = Team_Defensive_Rating + 0.2 * (100 * D_Pts_per_ScPoss * (1 - Stop%) - Team_Defensive_Rating)
Here, D_Pts_per_ScPoss is calculated as:
> Opponent_PTS / (Opponent_FGM + (1 - (1 - (Opponent_FTM / Opponent_FTA))^2) * Opponent_FTA*0.4)
The core of the defensive rating calculation is the individual defensive stop, which includes blocks, steals, and defensive rebounds.
Skill Curves and Usage Rates
Dean Oliver introduces the concept of "Skill Curves," acknowledging that a player's offensive rating (ORtg) should be considered alongside their usage rate. The usage rate indicates the size of a player's role in the team's offense. Larger roles may result in lower ORtgs, while smaller roles can lead to higher efficiency. Therefore, it's essential to compare a player's ORtg to those of similar roles on other teams.
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Frequently asked questions
The possession arrow is a method of putting the ball in play with a throw-in rather than a jump ball. It determines which team gets the ball after a tied-up ball or turnover.
The possession arrow is pointed towards the team that lost the opening tip-off, giving them the next opportunity to gain possession. After each use, the arrow flips direction.
Alternating-possession situations include a held ball, a free-throw violation, a technical foul, or a live ball becoming wedged between the backboard and the rim.
In the second half, the team that did not start with the ball in the first half gets the first possession. 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.
Possession is an important metric for understanding basketball analytics. Pace, offensive efficiency, and defensive efficiency metrics are all based on possession calculations.
