Helena Frye
The jump ball is a method of putting a basketball into play by tossing it into the air between two opponents who jump up and attempt to tap the ball to a teammate. It is used in the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball to begin a game and settle special situations. Jump balls are a relatively unregulated part of basketball, with no league-wide standards for how referees throw the ball. While height is an advantage, agility and the ability to time the throw are more important for gaining possession.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Occurrence | At the start of the game, start of any extra period, to settle held balls, when the ball is wedged between the goal and backboard, or when there are different referee calls. |
| Method | A referee throws the ball into the air for two opponents to jump up and tap to a teammate. |
| Rules | Players are supposed to touch the ball only after it has reached the top of its flight arc, but "stealing the toss" is common and tolerated. There are no league-wide standards for how referees throw the ball, beyond that it should reach its top altitude between the two players. |
| Possession | Awarded to the team moving in the direction of the possession arrow on offense. The arrow then swaps to the other team. |
| History | James Naismith's original rules included a jump ball to begin every quarter and after every basket. The NCAA changed these rules in 1937, and the NBA followed in 1949. In 1975, the NBA removed jump balls to begin the second, third, and fourth quarters. |
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What You'll Learn
When is a jump ball called?
A jump ball is called to begin a basketball game, this is known as the opening tip or opening tip-off. It is also used to start any extra periods of play.
A jump ball may be called when two opposing players are both holding the ball tightly, and neither can secure possession without a struggle. This is known as a held ball. A jump ball can also be called if there are different calls made by two or more referees, or if the ball becomes wedged between the goal and the backboard.
In the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball, a jump ball is used to settle special situations where penalties cancel each other out, or neither team is entitled to the ball. In most other competitions, the alternating possession rule is used to settle jump ball situations after the opening tip-off. This uses a possession arrow to indicate which team gains possession.
The referee throws the ball into the air, and the two players jump up and attempt to tap the ball to a teammate. While height is advantageous, agility and the ability to time the throw are also important for gaining possession.
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How is a jump ball performed?
A jump ball is performed by tossing the basketball into the air between two opponents who jump up and try to tap it to a teammate. It is used to put the ball into play, usually at the start of a game (called the opening tip or opening tip-off), and can also be used to settle disputed or held balls.
While the concept is simple, the execution varies depending on the league and level of play. For example, in the NBA, players are supposed to touch the ball only after it has reached the top of its flight arc, but "stealing the toss" by breaking this rule is common and often tolerated. There are no standardised regulations for how referees throw the ball, except that it should reach its highest point between the two players competing for it. To prevent stealing, referees may use misdirection when throwing the ball. As a result, while height is advantageous for players competing for jump balls, agility and the ability to time the throw and the opponent's movements are more important.
Jump balls are used in the NBA, WNBA, Euroleague Basketball, and college basketball, but most other competitions use the alternating possession rule to settle jump ball situations after the opening tip. In college basketball, for instance, a possession arrow is used to indicate which team has possession after the opening tip, and this arrow switches to the other team after each basket. FIBA, which operates the EuroLeague and Eurocup, adopted the alternating possession rule in 2003, but the Euroleague Company reinstated the jump ball rule in 2013. Notably, 3x3, a formalised version of half-court three-on-three basketball overseen by FIBA, does not use jump balls at any point during a game.
There are several rules in place to prevent players from gaining an unfair advantage during a jump ball. For instance, players cannot position themselves immediately behind an opponent on the restraining circle, and they cannot tap the ball more than twice or catch it before it touches a teammate. Violations of these rules result in a loss of possession.
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Jump ball rules
A jump ball is a method of putting a basketball into play by tossing it into the air between two opponents who jump up and attempt to tap the ball to a teammate. It is used in the NBA, WNBA, and competitions operated by Euroleague Basketball. A jump ball occurs at the start of the game (called the opening tip or opening tip-off), the start of any extra period (tip-off), to settle special situations, and to settle held balls. Held balls occur when two opposing players both lay equal claim to the ball and, after trying to wrestle it from each other, end up in a stalemate.
During a jump ball, players are technically supposed to touch the ball only after it has reached the top of its flight arc. However, this rule is often broken, which is known as "stealing the toss". While there are no league-wide standards regulating how referees throw the ball, it is stipulated that the ball should reach its top altitude squarely between the two players competing for it. To prevent stealing, referees may incorporate misdirection into their throwing styles. As a result, agility and the ability to time the throw and the opponent are more important than height for players competing for jump balls.
After the opening tip, most competitions other than the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball use the alternating possession rule to settle jump ball situations. This rule uses a possession arrow on the scorekeeper's table, with possession of the ball awarded to the team that is moving in the direction of the possession arrow on offense. The NCAA first changed the jump ball rules in 1937, awarding possession after baskets to the scored-upon team. The NBA followed suit in 1949 and further changed the rules in 1975, removing jump balls to begin the second, third, and fourth quarters. The alternating possession arrow rule went into effect in college basketball in 1981. FIBA, which operates the EuroLeague and Eurocup, adopted the alternating possession rule in 2003, with the major difference that in overtime periods, play begins with the arrow.
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Stealing the toss
In basketball, a jump ball is a method used to begin or resume play. It involves an official tossing the ball into the air between two opposing players who jump up and attempt to tap the ball to a teammate.
The rules for jump balls are relatively relaxed, with penalties rarely called for players touching the ball before it has reached the peak of its throw. This act of touching the ball prematurely is known as "stealing the toss". While there is a rule stating that players should only touch the ball after it has reached the top of its flight arc, stealing the toss is commonplace, tolerated, and even expected of players.
To prevent stealing, referees may use misdirection in their throwing styles to catch players off guard. They may vary the trajectory and angle of the throw, for example, but there are no league-wide standards regulating how referees throw the ball. The only stipulation is that the ball should reach its top altitude squarely between the two players competing for it.
Height is an advantage for players competing for jump balls, but agility and the ability to time the throw and the opponent are more important factors for success.
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Jump ball in different competitions
A jump ball is a method used to begin or resume play in basketball. It involves an official tossing a ball into the air, with two opposing players attempting to gain control of it.
Jump Ball in the NBA
In the NBA, a jump ball occurs at the start of the game (opening tip or opening tip-off), the start of any extra period (tip-off), to settle special situations where penalties cancel out and neither team is entitled to the ball, and to settle any held balls. The rules for jump balls are relatively relaxed, with players rarely penalised for touching the ball before it has reached the peak of its throw. While there are no league-wide standards regulating how referees throw the ball, it should reach its top altitude between the two players competing for it.
Jump Ball in the WNBA and Euroleague Basketball
The WNBA and Euroleague Basketball have adopted the NBA's jump ball rules. Therefore, jump balls occur at the start of the game, the start of any extra period, to settle special situations, and to settle held balls.
Jump Ball in FIBA Competitions
FIBA, the international governing body for basketball, has adopted the alternating possession rule with a key difference: in overtime periods, play begins with the arrow, while other organisations conduct another jump ball. FIBA mandated that the Euroleague adopt its rule in 2005, but the Euroleague Company reinstated the jump ball rule in 2013. Notably, 3x3 basketball, a formalized version of half-court three-on-three basketball overseen by FIBA, does not use jump balls at all. Instead, the first possession is based on a pre-game coin toss.
Jump Ball in College Basketball
College basketball adopted the alternating possession arrow rule in 1981. This rule awards possession sequentially for all jump ball situations after the opening tip at the beginning of the game.
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Frequently asked questions
Jump balls are a method of putting a basketball into play by tossing it into the air between two opponents who jump up and attempt to tap the ball to a teammate.
A jump ball is called by a referee to start the game (called the opening tip or opening tip-off) and to start any extra periods (tip-off). It can also be called to settle special situations where penalties cancel out, or when two opposing players both lay equal claim to the ball and end up in a stalemate.
The referee throws the ball into the air between two players from opposing teams. The players jump up and attempt to tap the ball to a teammate.
Possession of the ball is awarded to the team that is moving in the direction of the possession arrow on offense. The arrow then swaps to point to the other team.
