Amanda Knapp
The possession arrow is a rule in basketball that determines which team gets possession of the ball. It is used in college and high school basketball games, differentiating them from professional basketball. The possession arrow 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 arrow is switched after the ball is inbounded and points towards the team that lost the opening tip. In college basketball, the arrow determines which team gets possession at the start of the second half, while in high school basketball, it is used at the start of each quarter after the first. The possession arrow is reset during overtime, which usually begins with a jump ball.
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Jump balls
Despite the decreasing use of jump balls, some people argue for their continued inclusion in the sport. Some suggest that starting each quarter with a jump ball would add an element of strategy and importance to the skill of jumping for the ball. Additionally, jump balls can be exciting and traditional aspects of the game.
On the other hand, some critics argue that jump balls are unnecessary and should be eliminated. They suggest that the home team deciding which quarters to start with possession or using a coin toss would be more fair than relying on the chance of a jump ball.
In overtime situations, the use of jump balls or the possession arrow varies depending on the organization. For example, in men's college basketball, the arrow is used to determine possession in overtime, while other organizations may conduct another jump ball.
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Held balls
A held ball, or a jump ball, occurs when two opposing players lay equal claim to the ball and, after wrestling for it, end up in a stalemate. A jump ball may also be called if there are different calls by two or more referees or when the ball becomes wedged between the goal and backboard.
In college basketball, a possession arrow is used to determine who gets the ball on a tie-up or held ball. The arrow points towards the basket that the team with possession is shooting at. The arrow is flipped at halftime when the teams switch ends of the court, ensuring that the team that had possession at the end of the first half will still have it to begin the second.
The use of the possession arrow in college basketball is controversial. Some argue that it takes away from the game and that jump balls are a vital part of the sport, providing an opportunity for players to compete for possession. Others argue that the arrow improves the game by eliminating problems with inconsistent tosses by referees.
In the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball, a jump ball occurs at the start of the game and at the start of any extra period. In these leagues, a jump ball is also used to settle situations where penalties cancel out, and neither team is entitled to the ball. However, the possession arrow is used in virtually all levels of basketball except for these leagues.
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Free-throw violations
Free throws are unopposed attempts to score points by shooting from behind the free-throw line, with each successful throw worth one point. They are generally awarded after a foul on the shooter by the opposing team, or when the fouling team has entered the bonus/penalty situation. The number of free throws awarded depends on the situation, with players getting between one and three attempts.
In the NBA, a technical foul results in one free-throw attempt for the other team. In NCAA basketball, technical fouls are divided into "Class A" and "Class B" violations, with Class A resulting in two free throws, and Class B resulting in one. In all cases, the opposing team may choose any player on the court to shoot the free throws and is then awarded possession of the ball after the free throws.
In terms of violations, if the free throw attempt is to remain in play and a teammate of the shooter violates, no point can be scored, and the opposing team will inbound on either sideline at the free throw line extended. If an opponent violates, the shooter shall receive a substitute free throw if their attempt is unsuccessful, but this will be ignored if the attempt is successful. If both a teammate and opponent violate, a jump ball shall be administered at midcourt between any two opponents in the game. If the free throw attempt is not to remain in play, no violation can occur unless there is a disconcertion violation by an opponent, to which a substitute free throw will be awarded.
Disconcertion violations include raising arms when positioned on the lane line on a free throw that will not remain in play, waving arms or making sudden movements when in the visual field of the shooter, talking in a loud disruptive manner during any free throw, and entering the lane and continuing to move during any free throw.
In college basketball, the possession arrow is used to determine which team gets possession of the ball without having to jump for it. This alternating-possession procedure 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 turned on once a team gains possession of the ball after the initial jump ball at the start of the game, pointing in the direction of the team that lost the opening tip. This arrow is then changed prior to the start of the second half to account for the teams switching ends of the court.
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Technical fouls
In college basketball, the possession arrow is used to determine which team gets possession in an alternating-possession situation, such as a technical foul, when no team is in control. The possession arrow always points towards the team that lost the opening tip-off, and that team is given possession when the next alternating-possession situation occurs. After this, the arrow is reversed, and the other team will have possession in the next situation.
The possession arrow is reset at halftime when teams switch ends of the court, ensuring that the team that had possession at the end of the first half will still have it to begin the second. If the game goes to overtime, the possession arrow is reset again, and overtime begins with a jump ball.
In the NBA, jump balls are used less frequently than in college basketball. The NBA stopped using jump balls for 2nd-4th quarter possession in 1975, and they are now only used at the beginning of the game and sometimes after halftime. When a referee calls a jump ball mid-game, the possession arrow determines which team gets possession of the ball.
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Teams switching ends
The possession arrow is a rule unique to college basketball and differentiates it 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 to determine which team gets possession of the ball in an alternating-possession situation. This can occur in several scenarios: a held ball, a free-throw violation, a technical foul when no team is in control, a live ball becoming wedged between the backboard and rim, a double foul where neither team gains possession, simultaneous goaltending or basket interference violations, two players simultaneously hitting the ball out of bounds, and when officials cannot determine which team last touched the ball before it went out of bounds.
The possession arrow is also used in high school basketball games. In this context, the arrow is used to determine which team receives the ball at the start of each quarter after the first one.
In the context of teams switching ends, the direction of the possession arrow is changed prior to the start of the second half. This ensures that the team that had possession at the end of the first half will still have it to begin the second half. This rule also applies to overtime, where the possession arrow is reset, and overtime begins with a jump ball. If additional overtime periods are required, the arrow will be reset after the initial jump ball.
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Frequently asked questions
The possession arrow is a rule that determines which team gets possession of the ball after a jump ball or other situations where no team is in control, such as a free-throw violation or a technical foul.
The possession arrow changes direction during halftime, after an alternating-possession throw-in ends, and when overtime begins. During halftime, the arrow is changed to account for the teams switching ends of the court.
In college basketball, the game is played in two 20-minute halves. The possession arrow determines which team gets possession of the ball at the start of the second half. The arrow is switched after the ball is inbounded. If the game goes into overtime, another jump ball is conducted to start the period.
