Helena Frye
In basketball, POSS is an acronym for possession, which is considered the most important metric for understanding basketball analytics basics. The possession arrow is a rule that differentiates college basketball from professional basketball. It indicates which team has possession of the ball and is usually used in the event of a tie-up or jump ball.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Form | Possession |
| Use Case | To indicate which team has possession of the ball |
| Use | Used when there is a jump ball or a tie-up |
| Possession Calculation | Every time a player (1) attempts a field goal, (2) misses a shot and does not get the offensive rebound, (3) turns the ball over, (4) goes to the line for two or three shots and either makes the last shot or does not get the rebound of a missed last shot |
| Possession Calculation Formula | Based on both the team's and the opponent's statistics |
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What You'll Learn
POSS indicates which team has possession
POSS, or "possession arrow", is a term used in basketball to indicate which team has possession of the ball. It is particularly relevant in college basketball, where it is one of the rules differentiating the college game from professional basketball. The possession arrow is defined in the NCAA rulebook as "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, such as a held ball, a free-throw violation, or a technical foul.
The possession arrow is typically displayed on a scoreboard and points to the team that currently has possession of the ball. This helps fans and spectators know which team has possession, especially in situations where it may not be immediately clear from watching the game. Possession is an important metric in basketball analytics, as it forms the basis for calculating various offensive and defensive efficiency metrics.
At the start of an NCAA basketball game, a jump ball is conducted at centre court. The possession arrow remains off until one team gains possession after the tip-off. Once that happens, the arrow is turned on and points to the team that lost the opening tip. This team will be given possession of the ball when the next alternating-possession situation occurs.
During the game, if a jump ball situation arises, the team that has the possession arrow indicator will be given the ball. The arrow then switches to the other team, ensuring fairness and equal chances for both sides. This process continues throughout the game, with the possession arrow helping to determine which team should be awarded the ball in the event of a tie-up or other alternating-possession scenarios.
In the event of overtime, the possession arrow is reset, and the same format as the start of the game is followed, including a jump ball. If additional overtime periods are required, the arrow is reset again after the initial jump ball, ensuring that both teams have equal opportunities for possession throughout the game.
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Possession arrow points to the team that will get the ball after a held ball
In basketball, "poss" is short for "possession". The possession arrow is used to indicate which team has possession of the ball and is typically used in college basketball to differentiate it from professional basketball.
The possession arrow is used in the event of a tie-up or a held ball. 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." In the case of a held ball, the possession arrow points to the team that will gain possession of the ball. This helps fans and viewers know which team will get the ball after a held ball.
The possession arrow is also used in other alternating-possession situations, such as a free-throw violation or a technical foul, when no team is in control. It is important to note that 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 to the team that lost the opening tip. This team will then be given possession of the ball during 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 needed, the arrow is reset after the initial jump ball.
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Possession arrow is reset during overtime
The "possession arrow" is a rule in basketball that dictates which team should have possession of the ball in a jump ball scenario. This rule is used in high school, college, and FIBA basketball competitions, but not in professional basketball leagues such as the NBA or WNBA.
In college basketball, the possession arrow is officially known as the "alternating-possession procedure". 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 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. At the start of the game, 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 to the team that lost the opening tip. This team will be given the ball when the next alternating-possession situation occurs.
During overtime, the possession arrow is reset, and overtime begins with a jump ball. The team that loses the jump ball at the beginning of overtime is awarded the possession arrow, and this process is repeated until the game ends. If additional overtime periods are needed, the arrow is reset again after the initial jump ball.
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Possession arrow alternates after a jump ball
The possession arrow is a rule that differentiates college basketball 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 comes into play during an alternating-possession situation, which can include a held ball, a free-throw violation, or technical foul, when no team is in control and a live ball becomes wedged between the backboard and the rim. 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.
After this, 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. This procedure is repeated for every alternating-possession situation.
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. If additional overtime periods are required, the arrow will be reset after the initial jump ball.
The alternating possession arrow rule was introduced in men's college basketball in the 1981-82 season, with the women's game following in 1986-87. The rule was adopted based on the belief that referees were not able to consistently ensure fair tosses. Advocates of the rule change argue that it is more fair, but this is disputed by its opponents, who argue that jump balls are a vital part of the sport.
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Possession is a key metric in basketball analytics
Possession is a fundamental concept in basketball, and it also serves as a critical metric in basketball analytics. It refers to when a team has control of the ball and can attempt to score. Possession is often denoted by "POSS" on scoreboards, particularly in college basketball, and is an important indicator for fans and players alike.
In college basketball, the possession arrow is used to indicate which team will gain possession in the event of a jump ball or tie-up. This alternating-possession procedure ensures fairness and provides a method to put the ball in play without a jump ball. The arrow points to the team that lost the opening tip-off, and possession then alternates between teams during the game.
Additionally, possession is calculated based on specific events during a game. A team is considered to have had a possession when a player:
- Attempts a field goal;
- Misses a shot and does not secure the offensive rebound;
- Turns the ball over (some calculations include turnovers assigned to teams);
- Goes to the line for two or three shots and makes the last shot or does not retrieve the rebound of a missed last shot.
Furthermore, possession calculations involve considering free throws and offensive rebounds. Not all free throws result in possession changes, so a 0.44 multiplier is applied to account for technical foul shots and "AND 1" situations. Similarly, a 0.96 multiplier is used when a missed shot is tipped out of bounds by the defence, extending the possession without crediting an offensive rebound.
In summary, possession is a critical metric in basketball analytics as it underpins numerous performance indicators and enables analysts to evaluate offensive and defensive efficiency. By understanding possession and its impact on various calculations, analysts can gain deeper insights into team and player performance, facilitating strategic decision-making and performance optimisation.
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Frequently asked questions
POSS stands for "possession" and is used to indicate which team has possession of the ball.
The possession arrow, or alternating-possession procedure, is used to determine which team gets the ball after a held ball or other alternating-possession situations. The arrow points to the team that lost the opening tip-off, and they will be awarded the ball in the next alternating-possession situation.
Possession is a fundamental metric in basketball analytics. Many critical metrics, such as pace, offensive efficiency, and defensive efficiency, are calculated based on possession data.
Possession is calculated when a player from a team: attempts a field goal, misses a shot and doesn't get the offensive rebound, turns over the ball, or shoots free throws and either makes the last one or doesn't get the rebound.
No, the possession arrow alternates between the teams. After a team is awarded possession per the arrow, it flips to the other team for the next alternating-possession situation.
