Ayrton Oneill
Basketball is a sport with a lot of rules and regulations that govern the play, officiating, equipment, and procedures. One of the most important concepts in basketball is the idea of a live ball. A live ball is when the game is in play and either team can gain possession and score points. There are several ways for the ball to become live, including a jump ball, a throw-in, or a free throw. During a jump ball, the ball becomes live when it leaves the official's hand. On a throw-in, it is live when it is at the disposal of the thrower, and on a free throw, it is live when it is at the disposal of the free thrower. In addition, after any dead ball, the only way to resume play and get the ball live is through a jump ball, a throw-in, or a free throw.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When the ball is live | On a jump ball, when the tossed ball leaves the official's hand(s) |
| On a throw-in, when it is at the disposal of the thrower | |
| On a free throw, when it is at the disposal of the free thrower | |
| When the ball is touched | |
| When the ball is possessed | |
| How the game starts | With a jump ball in the center circle |
| Alternating-possession throw-ins | From the out-of-bounds spot nearest to where the ball was located |
| Alternating-possession throw-ins occur when | A live ball lodges between the backboard and ring or comes to rest on the flange |
| Opponents commit simultaneous basket-interference violations | |
| The point of interruption cannot be determined | |
| Violations during a jump ball | If a jumper catches the tapped ball before it touches the floor |
| If a jumper touches the ball before it reaches its highest point | |
| If a jumper touches the ball more than twice | |
| Violations during a throw-in | If the throw-in team violates |
| If the defensive team commits a violation | |
| Dead ball | When the ball is out of bounds |
| When a foul occurs |
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What You'll Learn
A jump ball starts the game and each extra period
A jump ball is a method used to begin or resume play in basketball. It is used to start the game and each extra period. The game and overtime periods are started with a jump ball in the center restraining circle or center circle. The team that gains first possession of the game will put the ball into play at their opponent's endline to begin the fourth period. The other team will put the ball into play at their opponent's endline at the beginning of the second and third periods.
Jump balls were originally used to restart play at the beginning of every quarter and after each basket scored. However, the NBA and NCAA dropped jump balls after baskets in the mid-20th century. In 1975, the NBA stopped using jump balls for 2nd-4th quarter possession, and the NCAA implemented alternating possession rules in 1981. Now, the WNBA and Euroleague Basketball have adopted the NBA's jump ball rules, while other leagues have implemented alternating possession.
During a jump ball, two opposing players attempt to gain control of the ball after an official tosses it into the air between them. Each jumper must have at least one foot inside the smaller 3' jump circle and both feet within the restraining circle. The ball must be tapped by one or both players after it reaches its highest point. If the ball falls to the floor without being tapped, an official will whistle the ball dead and signal another toss.
A jump ball is also used to resume play after any dead ball. In this case, the jump ball shall be between the two players involved in the subsequent action unless injury or ejection requires a substitute.
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A throw-in can make the ball live
A throw-in starts when the ball is given to the player entitled to the throw-in. The player must release the ball within 5 seconds from the time they receive the ball and control it. The ball is considered out-of-bounds when it touches a player who is out-of-bounds or any other person, the floor, or any object on, above, or outside of a boundary or the supports or back of the backboard. Any ball that rebounds or passes directly behind the backboard, in any direction, or enters the cylinder from below is considered out-of-bounds. The ball is caused to go out-of-bounds by the last player to touch it before it goes out, provided it is out-of-bounds because of touching something other than a player.
To start the second, third, and fourth quarters, the ball shall be put in play by a throw-in under the alternating-possession procedure. Alternating-possession throw-ins shall be from the out-of-bounds spot nearest to where the ball was located. An alternating-possession throw-in shall result when there is a simultaneous basket interference violation by opponents or when the point of interruption cannot be determined. The direction of the possession arrow is reversed immediately after an alternating-possession throw-in ends.
After a score, field goal, or free throw, the team not credited with the score shall put the ball into play from any point out-of-bounds at the endline of the court where the points were scored. This rule also applies to the team with possession at the start of the second, third, and fourth periods.
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A free throw can make the ball live
A free throw can definitely make the ball live in basketball. In fact, it is one of the three ways to do so, the other two being a jump ball and a throw-in.
To start the game, each quarter, and each extra period, the ball is put into play in the center restraining circle by a jump ball between any two opponents. However, after any subsequent dead ball, the only way to get the ball live is to resume play by a jump ball in the center restraining circle, by a throw-in, or by a free throw.
On a free throw, the ball becomes live when it is at the disposal of the free thrower. The game, quarter, and each extra period begin when the ball becomes live as specified for a jump ball, throw-in, or free throw.
Jump balls are also used to resume play after a dead ball in other situations. For instance, when the alternating-possession procedure has not been established, or when the point of interruption cannot be determined. The ball is considered live during a jump ball when it leaves the official's hands.
Throw-ins are also used to put the ball into play under the alternating-possession procedure to start the second, third, and fourth quarters. An alternating-possession throw-in results when a live ball lodges between the backboard and ring or comes to rest on the flange, unless a free throw or throw-in follows.
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A live ball can lodge between the backboard and ring
In basketball, a live ball refers to when the ball is in play. A live ball can become dead, or out of play, in several ways. For instance, if a player is removed from the game due to a concussion, the ball becomes dead. Or, if the ball lodges between the backboard and the ring, it becomes dead.
The game begins with a live ball, which is put into play with a jump ball in the center restraining circle. A jump ball is when an official tosses the ball into the air, and two opponents jump to gain possession of it. Each jumper must have at least one foot in their half of the jumping circle, which is farthest from their basket. The ball must be tapped by at least one of the players after it reaches its highest point. If the ball falls to the floor without being tapped, an official will whistle, and another toss will be made.
After a dead ball, play is resumed with a jump ball, a throw-in, or a free throw. A throw-in is when the ball is put into play by a player, and it becomes live when it is touched, possessed, or at the thrower's disposal. A free throw is when the ball is put into play by an official and becomes live when it is possessed, touched, or at the free thrower's disposal.
A live ball can lodge between the backboard and the ring, which is considered a held ball. When this happens, the ball becomes dead, and play is resumed with a jump ball. This is an unusual occurrence, but it can happen, especially if the ball is slightly misshapen or the basket is not quite regulation size. In this case, the ball is dead, and the jump ball will take place in the center restraining circle, between the two players involved in the subsequent action.
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Alternating-possession throw-ins can end a game
In basketball, the ball becomes live when it is at the disposal of the thrower during a throw-in. Alternating-possession throw-ins are a way to put the ball in play at the start of the second, third, and fourth quarters. The procedure is established by the team that gains control of the jump ball, and the arrow is set toward the opponent's basket.
An alternating-possession throw-in ends when the throw-in ends, and the direction of the possession arrow is reversed. If the throw-in team violates the rules, they lose the opportunity to make an alternating-possession throw-in. If either team fouls during an alternating-possession throw-in, the throw-in team does not lose the possession arrow. Similarly, if the defensive team commits a violation during the throw-in, the possession arrow is not switched.
Therefore, alternating-possession throw-ins can be a factor in ending a game. If a team violates the rules or commits a foul during an alternating-possession throw-in near the end of the game, the other team can gain possession of the ball and run out the clock to end the game. Additionally, if a team gains control of the alternating-possession throw-in and scores while there is little time remaining, they can end the game if the opposing team does not have enough time to respond.
Thus, while the alternating-possession throw-in itself does not end the game, it can be a crucial factor in determining the outcome and influencing the closing moments of a basketball game.
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Frequently asked questions
The ball is considered live when it is in play. This can be after a jump ball, throw-in, or free throw.
A jump ball is when the ball is tossed between two opponents in the game at that time. Each player must have at least one foot within the restraining circle.
A throw-in is when the ball is put back into play from out-of-bounds. The thrower has five seconds to do this.
A free throw is when the ball is put into play by being placed at the disposal of the free thrower.
