
In basketball, a dead ball is a term used to describe when the ball is deemed temporarily unplayable, and no movement may be made with it. The game and overtime are started with a jump ball in the center circle, and after a dead ball, play is resumed by a jump ball, a throw-in, or a free throw. A dead ball can occur when a foul is committed and called by a referee, a foul shot has been attempted, or the ball has gone out of bounds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A dead ball is when the ball is deemed temporarily not playable, and no movement may be made with it. |
| Occurrence | Most or any time play is stopped, such as when a foul has been committed and called by a referee, a foul shot has been attempted and another is yet to be attempted, or the ball has gone out of bounds. |
| Resumption | Play can be resumed by a jump ball, a throw-in, or a free throw. |
| Fouls | A dead ball personal foul can only occur when there is an airborne shooter returning to the floor after the ball passes through the basket. |
| Exceptions | If a field goal attempt is in flight, the ball becomes dead when the goal is made, missed, or touched by an offensive player. |
| Jump Ball | Each jumper must have at least one foot on or inside that half of the jumping circle which is farthest from their basket. |
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What You'll Learn

When the ball is out of bounds
In basketball, a dead ball is a term used to describe when the ball is deemed temporarily unplayable, and no movement may be made with it. This occurs when the ball goes out of bounds, among other scenarios.
When the ball goes out of bounds, it is considered dead. The ball is 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 a boundary, or the supports or back of the backboard. If the ball rebounds or passes directly behind the backboard in any direction, or enters the cylinder from below, it is also 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 goes out due to touching something other than a player. If the ball goes out-of-bounds because it touches a player who is on or outside a boundary, that player caused it to go out. If a player has their hand in contact with the ball and an opponent hits that hand, causing the ball to go out-of-bounds, the team whose player had their hand on the ball will retain possession.
If the ball goes out-of-bounds on the sideline, it is awarded to the opposing team at that spot. If the ball goes out-of-bounds and was last touched simultaneously by two opponents, or if the official is unsure who last touched the ball, play shall be resumed by a jump ball between the two involved players in the nearest restraining circle.
After a score, field goal, or free throw, the player of 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. The ball may be passed to a teammate behind the endline. Any ball out-of-bounds in a team's frontcourt or at the midcourt line cannot be passed into the backcourt. However, during the last two minutes of the fourth period and the last two minutes of any overtime period, the ball may be passed anywhere on the court.
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When a foul is committed
In basketball, a dead ball is a term used to describe when the ball is deemed temporarily unplayable, and no movement may be made with it. This occurs when play is stopped, such as when a foul is committed and called by a referee.
When it comes to fouls, there are several types to be aware of. A personal foul is the most common type, resulting from personal contact between two opposing players. This includes various contact fouls such as pushing, holding, blocking, or tripping. Most personal fouls are called against a defensive player, but they can also be committed by the offensive team during a throw-in, or when neither team is in clear possession of the ball.
A technical foul, on the other hand, is unrelated to physical contact during gameplay. It may be called on a player, coach, or the team in general for unsportsmanlike conduct, taunting, profanity, or inappropriate conduct toward an official.
Another type of foul is a flagrant foul, which is deemed unnecessary or excessive by the referee and is often called on contact likely to cause injury, such as swinging an elbow or body-checking a player in midair.
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When a free throw is attempted
In the game of basketball, a dead ball situation can arise from a number of scenarios, one of which is when a free throw is attempted. A free throw is a shot taken by a player from behind the free-throw line, unopposed by defenders, after a foul has been committed. Here's what happens when a free throw is attempted:
When a player is awarded free throws, they step up to the free-throw line, which is located just outside the restricted area, often referred to as the key or the lane. They are given possession of the ball by the official, who hands it to them directly or places it on the court in front of the free-throw line. The player then has 10 seconds to attempt the free throw, and they must release the ball within this time frame. During the free throw attempt, all players on the court, including the shooter's teammates and opponents, must remain outside of the three-point line and behind an imaginary line extending from the free-throw line. This ensures that the shooter has a clear path to the basket and no defenders are in a position to interfere with the shot.
Once the player releases the ball, it is considered a live ball, and there are a few possible outcomes. If the shot is made, the basket is worth one point, and the player's team is awarded that point. The player then retrieves the ball from the official to prepare for the next play. If the shot misses the basket entirely or hits the rim and bounces away without going through the net, it is considered a rebound. Players from either team can then fight for possession of the rebound, and the team that secures it can initiate their offense.
In certain situations, a violation or foul can occur during a free throw attempt. For example, if the shooter violates the 10-second rule and fails to release the ball in time, the free throw attempt is forfeited, and the ball is given to the opposing team. If a player from either team commits a lane violation by entering the restricted area before the ball leaves the shooter's hand, the official can call for a re-attempt of the free throw. Additionally, if a player is fouled during their shooting motion, it may result in a shooting foul, which could lead to additional free throws being awarded.
It's important to note that the free throw shooter must follow specific rules during their attempt. They cannot step on or over the free-throw line until the ball leaves their hand, as doing so results in a violation. Additionally, they must shoot the ball with a continuous motion, without pausing or attempting to deceive defenders with fake shooting motions, as this can also result in a violation being called.
Understanding the rules and procedures around free throws is crucial for players and coaches, as it ensures fair play and provides opportunities for teams to score points, especially when fouls are committed. Free throws can often be decisive in close games, and practicing them is an important part of basketball training at all levels of competition.
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When a jump ball is required
A dead ball in basketball is when the ball is deemed temporarily unplayable, and no movement may be made with it. This occurs when play is stopped, such as when a foul has been committed, a foul shot has been attempted, or the ball has gone out of bounds.
A jump ball is required when a dead ball occurs, to resume play. It involves the referee tossing the ball vertically between two opposing players, who jump and attempt to tap it to a teammate. It is a method of fairly determining possession in situations where two teams have equal claim to the ball.
Jump balls are used at the start of a game, and sometimes to begin overtime periods. They are also used to settle held-ball situations, where two opposing players have equal claim to the ball and are unable to gain possession. In some leagues, a jump ball is used to settle situations where penalties cancel out, or when there are different calls by referees.
Jump balls are a vital part of basketball, though some leagues have replaced them with an alternating possession arrow rule, which awards possession based on the direction of the arrow. The NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball continue to use jump balls, though the rules are applied differently across leagues. For example, in the NBA, players are technically supposed to touch the ball only after it has reached the top of its flight arc, but this rule is often broken.
Jump balls are not used in 3x3 basketball, a formalized version of half-court three-on-three basketball, where the first possession is based on a pre-game coin toss.
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When a player is airborne
In basketball, a dead ball is a term used to describe when the ball is deemed temporarily unplayable, and no movement may be made with it. This occurs, for example, when a foul has been committed and called by a referee, or when the ball has gone out of bounds.
Now, when it comes to the specific scenario of a player being airborne, the rules and interpretations come into play. Here are some key points to consider:
Definition of an Airborne Player
Firstly, let's define what it means for a player to be airborne in basketball. A player is considered airborne when they have left the ground and are in the air, typically in the act of shooting, jumping for a rebound, or going for a block or steal. Being airborne gives players the advantage of reaching greater heights and covering more distance, which can be crucial for making plays.
Airborne Shooter
An airborne shooter is a specific term used to describe a player who has released the ball while jumping in an attempt to score a goal (field goal) or has tapped the ball and has not yet returned to the floor. According to the NFHS rules, the act of shooting includes the airborne shooter and begins when the player starts their motion to release the ball. The try or shooting attempt ends when the ball is clearly in flight, or when it is certain that the throw is unsuccessful and the ball touches the floor or becomes dead.
Rules and Interpretations
- Fouls and Contact: Incidental contact between players is permitted and does not constitute a foul. However, illegal personal contact, such as holding, which interferes with an airborne player's freedom of movement, is considered a violation. For example, preventing an airborne player from releasing the ball during a shooting attempt is a foul.
- Guarding: Guarding is the act of legally placing one's body in the path of an offensive opponent. A guard may be airborne and is allowed to jump within their own vertical plane, but they must maintain a maximum distance of 6 feet from the offensive player.
- Pivoting and Travelling: Pivoting rules still apply when a player is airborne. Pivoting with either foot is allowed as long as the player has control of the ball. Travelling violations occur when a player takes more than the predefined number of steps (two steps in the NBA and FIBA, no steps allowed in NCAA and NFHS) without dribbling the ball.
- Substitutions: During a dead ball, player substitutions can be made. This includes situations where a player is injured or ejected, requiring a substitute to continue the game.
In summary, when a player is airborne in basketball, they are subject to specific rules regarding fouls, guarding, pivoting, and travelling. Being airborne gives players an advantage in reaching for the ball, but it also requires a precise understanding and application of the rules to ensure fair play and avoid violations.
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Frequently asked questions
A dead ball in basketball is when the ball is deemed temporarily unplayable, and no movement may be made with it. This can occur when a foul has been committed and called by a referee, a foul shot has been attempted and another is yet to be attempted, or the ball has gone out of bounds. After a dead ball, play shall be resumed by a jump ball, a throw-in, or a free throw.
A dead ball can be called in various situations, such as when a foul is committed, a player is injured or ejected, or when the ball goes out of bounds. For example, if a player commits a foul, the referee will blow their whistle, and the ball will become dead. Another example is if a player is injured and needs to be substituted; the game will be paused, and a dead ball will be called to allow for the substitution.
A live ball refers to when the ball is in play and active during the game. During this time, players can move with the ball, attempt to score, and make strategic plays. A dead ball, on the other hand, is when the ball is temporarily not playable, and no movement can be made with it. This can occur due to fouls, violations, or other stoppages in play as outlined in the official rules.











































