Ayrton Oneill
The possession arrow is a rule in basketball that was introduced to speed up the game and prevent player injury. It is used to determine which team gets the ball after a jump ball or when possession is unclear. The arrow points towards the basket that the team with possession is attacking. The arrow is flipped to the other team when the ball is successfully inbounded or if it goes out of bounds. In the case of overtime, the possession arrow is reset, and play begins with a jump ball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When is the possession arrow used? | When the next alternating-possession situation happens |
| When does it come into play? | After the opening tip-off |
| Who does it point to? | The team that lost the opening tip-off |
| When does it reverse? | When the team with possession inbounds the ball successfully or when any player touches and causes the ball to go out of bounds |
| When is it reset? | When the game goes into overtime |
| What does it do? | Speeds up the game and prevents injury or mismatches in size |
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What You'll Learn
How the possession arrow works in college basketball
The possession arrow is a rule in college basketball that differentiates it from professional basketball. It is officially known as the alternating-possession procedure and is defined in the NCAA rulebook as "a method of putting the ball in play with a throw-in rather than a jump ball."
Every NCAA basketball game starts with a jump ball at center court. 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 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. This 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.
After the first team successfully inbounds the ball, the arrow is reversed to point to the other team. The arrow will also be reversed if any player touches and causes the ball to go out of bounds, or if the thrown-in team 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.
If the game goes into 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 will be reset after the initial jump ball.
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How the possession arrow differs from a jump ball
The possession arrow is used in basketball games in lieu of a jump ball during live play. It is used to determine which team will gain possession of the ball after a break in play. The arrow is pointed towards the basket that the team is attacking.
In a jump ball, the ball is thrown up between two opposing players, and the players jump up to try and gain control of the ball for their team. This gives taller and more athletic players a clear advantage. The possession arrow was introduced in 1981 to reduce the number of jump balls during a game and to give smaller players a better chance of gaining possession for their team.
The possession arrow is turned on after the opening tip-off, pointing in the direction of the team that lost the opening tip. It is then reversed after the team with possession successfully inbounds the ball, or if the ball goes out of bounds due to either team. The arrow is also reversed if the team with possession commits a throw-in violation, unless it is during a thrown-in attempt.
The possession arrow is reset during overtime, as overtime begins with a jump ball.
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How the possession arrow is used to speed up the game
The possession arrow is a feature of basketball that helps to speed up the game, prevent injuries, and avoid mismatches in size that can occur during a jump ball. The arrow is used to indicate which team will gain possession of the ball following a jump ball situation, with the arrow alternating between the two teams.
Every basketball game starts with a jump ball at centre court. The possession arrow is only turned on after the first jump ball, and it points in the direction of the team that lost the opening tip-off. This team is then given possession of the ball when the next alternating-possession situation occurs. Once this team has successfully inbounded the ball, the arrow is reversed to point to the other team. The arrow will also 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.
The use of the possession arrow helps to speed up the game by reducing the time taken to determine possession during a jump ball situation. Without the arrow, referees may struggle to ensure fair tosses, and players may take longer to gain control of the ball, slowing down the pace of the game. The arrow also helps to prevent injuries that may occur during a jump ball, as players compete to gain control of the ball.
In overtime periods, the possession arrow is reset, and play begins with another jump ball. If additional overtime periods are needed, the arrow will be reset again after the initial jump ball. This ensures that both teams have a fair chance of gaining possession during overtime, contributing to a faster and more dynamic game.
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How the possession arrow works in overtime
The possession arrow in basketball is used to indicate which team will gain possession of the ball following a jump ball or when possession is in question. This is often used in college basketball to speed up the game and prevent injury or size mismatches during a jump ball. The arrow simply points towards the basket that the team with possession will be shooting at.
When a game goes into overtime, the possession arrow is reset. As overtime begins with a jump ball, the arrow adheres to the same format as the start of the game. This means that the arrow will point towards the team that lost the opening tip-off of overtime, indicating that they will gain possession when the next alternating-possession situation occurs. If additional overtime periods are played, the arrow will be reset again after the initial jump ball.
It is important to note that the use of the possession arrow varies depending on the league and level of basketball. For example, the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball use jump balls to begin overtime rather than the possession arrow. Additionally, 3x3, a formalized version of half-court three-on-three basketball overseen by FIBA, does not use jump balls or the possession arrow at any point in the game. Instead, the first possession of overtime is determined by a pre-game coin toss.
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How the possession arrow affects a team's strategy
The possession arrow rule, also known as the alternating-possession procedure, is used in basketball to determine which team will obtain the ball in certain situations, such as a jump-ball scenario, a held ball, or specific non-shooting fouls. This rule can have a significant impact on a team's strategy and flow of the game. Being aware of the arrow's direction allows coaches and players to make informed decisions and gain a competitive advantage.
For instance, if a team knows the arrow is pointing in their favor, they might take more risks, knowing they will have another opportunity during an alternating-possession situation. On the other hand, if the arrow favors the opposing team, a safer approach may be taken to maintain control of the ball and avoid a potential jump-ball scenario. The possession arrow encourages teams to protect the basketball, reduce turnovers, and play with more discipline.
The possession arrow also affects the pace of the game. Coaches may employ strategies to limit or increase the number of possessions, depending on whether the arrow is in their favor. For example, they might use a four-corners offense to slow down the game or a full-court press to increase the tempo. Understanding the possession arrow rule allows teams to maximize their possessions and make strategic decisions accordingly.
Additionally, the possession arrow is reset during overtime, which begins with a jump ball. This dynamic rule adds another layer of complexity to the game, requiring teams to constantly adapt their strategies based on the arrow's direction.
In summary, the possession arrow rule is an important aspect of basketball that influences a team's strategy, risk-taking, and pace of play. By understanding and anticipating the arrow's direction, teams can make more informed decisions and gain an advantage over their opponents.
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Frequently asked questions
The possession arrow is a concept introduced in college basketball to speed up the game and prevent injuries or size mismatches during a jump ball. It is used to determine which team gets possession of the ball when it goes out of play and possession needs to be reassigned. The arrow alternates between the two teams, pointing towards the basket the team in possession is attacking.
At the start of the game, a jump ball occurs at the center court. The possession arrow remains off until one team gains possession of the ball after the tip-off. Once that happens, the arrow is turned on and points towards the team that lost the opening tip.
If the ball goes out of bounds, either on its own or off another player, the arrow flips to the other team, indicating that they will get possession of the ball for the next play.
During halftime, the possession arrow is typically awarded to the team that had possession at the end of the first half, and they get to begin the second half with a throw-in. In 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.
Yes, the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball do not use the possession arrow to settle jump ball situations. They use other methods, such as the original jump ball rules or their modified versions.
