Ayrton Oneill
The jump ball is one of basketball's oldest traditions, with James Naismith throwing the first jump ball in basketball history in 1891. It has been a fixture of the sport ever since, though the rules have changed over time. Originally, a jump ball would occur at the start of each quarter and after every basket scored. Over time, these rules were altered, with the NCAA changing the rule in 1937 to award possession after baskets to the scored-upon team. The NBA followed suit in 1949 and made further changes in 1975, removing jump balls to begin the second, third, and fourth quarters. Today, the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball are among the few leagues that still use the jump ball to settle disputes, with most other competitions adopting the alternating possession rule. Despite its longevity, the jump ball has evolved and is now a rare occurrence in basketball, with some considering it a forgotten formality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | Basketball's first game in 1891 started with a jump ball, thrown by James Naismith. |
| Jump balls were initially held after every basket, until the NCAA changed the rule in 1937. | |
| The NBA followed suit in 1949, and further reduced jump balls in 1975. | |
| Current Status | The NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball still use jump balls to start games and extra periods. |
| Jump balls are also used to settle held balls and when penalties cancel out. | |
| Most other competitions use the alternating possession rule to settle jump ball situations after the opening tip. | |
| Techniques | Throwing styles vary, including one-handed, two-handed, underhanded, and overhanded. |
| The ball is typically thrown at a near-vertical angle, but this is not required. | |
| Timing and anticipating the referee's move are crucial for successful jumpers. | |
| Referees | Referees are reluctant to call violations on jump ball stealing, especially at the start of a game. |
| Referees may also call a jump ball if there are differing calls by multiple referees. |
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What You'll Learn
The jump ball's history
The jump ball is one of basketball's oldest traditions, with James Naismith throwing the first-ever jump ball in 1891. Naismith's original rules for basketball included a jump ball at the start of each quarter and after every basket scored. Over time, the jump ball has become a relatively unregulated part of basketball, with various throwing styles and interpretations of the rules.
In 1937, the NCAA changed the rules, awarding possession after baskets to the scored-upon team. The NBA followed suit in 1949, and in 1975, they removed jump balls to begin the second, third, and fourth quarters. Instead, they granted possession to the team losing the opening tip in the second and third quarters and the team that won the first tip in the fourth.
The NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball still use the jump ball to start the game and any extra periods, as well as to settle specific situations like held balls. However, most other competitions have adopted the alternating possession rule to settle jump ball situations after the opening tip.
The jump ball is a unique aspect of basketball, a game-within-a-game that tests athletic prowess and strategy. While it has evolved and become less consequential over time, it remains a fixture of the sport, with players like Shaquille O'Neal and Yao Ming known for their dominance in winning jump balls.
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Rule changes in 1937, 1949, 1975, 1981-82, and 1986-87
In 1937, the NCAA changed James Naismith's original rules for basketball, which included a jump ball to begin every quarter and after every basket scored. The new rule awarded possession after baskets to the scored-upon team. The NBA followed suit in 1949.
In 1975, the NBA removed jump balls to start the second, third, and fourth quarters. Instead, they automatically granted possession in the second and third quarters to the team that lost the opening tip and possession in the fourth to the team that won the first tip.
In the 1981-82 season, the NCAA implemented alternating possession rules, awarding possession sequentially for all jump ball situations after the opening tip at the beginning of the game. The WNBA and Euroleague Basketball later adopted these rules, while other leagues implemented alternating possession.
In the 1986-87 season, the women's game followed the men's college basketball rule change from 1981-82.
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The NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball
Jump balls are still a part of the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball, with specific rules and protocols in place for when they occur.
In the NBA, the jump ball rule (Rule 6—Section VII) is mentioned in the rulebook under violations and penalties. During a jump ball, if a personal foul is committed before either team gains possession, it is ruled a "loose ball" foul. If the violation or foul occurs before the ball is tapped, neither the game clock nor the shot clock is started. If a violation is committed by the defensive team while the ball is in play, the offensive team retains possession on the nearest sideline. An exception to the rule is that a new eight seconds is awarded when a team gains control of a jump ball in the backcourt.
In Euroleague Basketball, rule changes for the 2023-24 season included a specification that in all jump ball situations, the ball will be put into play at the nearest circle (either the free-throw line or center court) to where the previous action occurred. The following season, Euroleague Basketball aligned its rulebook with FIBA rules regarding jump ball violations. If a violation occurs during a jump ball, it no longer results in a throw-in. Instead, the player inbounding the ball straddles the center line, and the team has 24 seconds on the shot clock. If the violation occurs in the frontcourt of the opposing team, the ball is inbounded in the backcourt with 24 seconds on the shot clock.
Thus, while the specifics of jump ball rules and their enforcement may have evolved, the jump ball itself remains an integral part of basketball at the highest levels, including the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague.
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Techniques and styles
James Naismith, the 'father of basketball', threw the first jump ball in basketball history in 1891. His original rules included a jump ball at the start of each quarter and after every basket scored. Over time, the rules have changed, and the jump ball has become less frequent. However, it remains a fixture in the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball competitions, occurring at the start of the game, the start of any extra period, and to settle specific situations.
The technique and style of the jump ball have evolved over the years. While there are no strict rules on throwing styles, the ball is typically thrown at a near-vertical angle. Players have developed their own unique styles, such as Ken Mauer, known for taking multiple steps back and tossing the ball at an angle.
The success of a jump ball depends on more than just height and size. Timing is crucial, and the best jumpers anticipate the referee's surprise move. Shaquille O'Neal, for example, had a high success rate of over 76% due to his ability to time his jumps effectively.
Jump balls are often seen as a primal contest of athletic prowess, with players jostling for position and trying to gain an advantage. It is a unique aspect of the game that adds excitement and unpredictability. While the jump ball has been criticised for being inconsistent and open to interpretation, it remains an iconic part of basketball's history and tradition.
Some variations have been introduced to the jump ball format. For instance, in 3x3 basketball, a formalised version of half-court three-on-three basketball, the first possession is determined by a pre-game coin toss, with the winner choosing to have possession at the start of the game or potential overtime. This variation adds a layer of strategy to the game, as teams must decide when they want the advantage of having possession.
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The jump ball's decline
The jump ball is one of basketball's oldest traditions, with James Naismith throwing the first-ever jump ball in 1891. Naismith's original vision for basketball included a jump ball at the start of each quarter and after every basket scored. Over time, the jump ball has declined and is now rarely used in basketball games.
The first change to the jump ball rule came in 1937 when the NCAA altered the rule so that the ball was awarded to the scored-upon team after baskets. The NBA followed suit in 1949, and in 1975, they further reduced the use of the jump ball by removing it to start the second, third, and fourth quarters. Instead, they implemented a system where possession was automatically granted to the team that lost the opening tip-off in the second and third quarters, and to the winning team in the fourth quarter. This change was also adopted by the WNBA and Euroleague Basketball.
The decline of the jump ball can be attributed to the introduction of the alternating possession arrow rule, which was first used in men's college basketball in the 1981-82 season and later in women's college basketball in 1986-87. This rule was adopted by the International Basketball Federation for Olympic basketball and the National Federation of State High School Associations, further reducing the use of the jump ball.
Today, the jump ball is still used in the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball to start the game and any extra periods, as well as to settle specific situations, such as held balls or when penalties cancel each other out. However, for many players and coaches, the jump ball has become a forgettable formality rather than a strategic part of the game.
Despite its decline, the jump ball remains a unique aspect of basketball, with its own strategies and quirks, and it continues to be a fixture, however limited, in modern basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
A jump ball is when the ball is tossed into the air by the referee at the centre of the court, with one player from each team jumping to gain possession of the ball.
The jump ball was introduced in 1891 by James Naismith, the founder of basketball.
The original rules of basketball included a jump ball at the start of each quarter and after every basket scored. In 1937, the NCAA changed these rules, awarding possession after baskets to the scored-upon team. The NBA followed suit in 1949 and further changed the rule in 1975, removing jump balls to begin the second, third and fourth quarters.
The NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball still use the jump ball to start the game and settle disputes. Most other leagues have adopted the NCAA-style alternating possession rule.
The jump ball rule has been changed or eliminated in some leagues due to the belief that referees were not able to ensure fair tosses consistently. Additionally, the rule changes aimed to standardise the game and reduce the impact of the jump ball on the outcome of the game.
