Andrew Pace
A jump ball in basketball is used to begin a game, start any extra periods, and settle special situations where penalties cancel out and neither team is entitled to the ball. It is also used to settle held balls, which occur when two opposing players lay equal claim to the ball and end up in a stalemate. Jump balls are used in the NBA, WNBA, and competitions operated by Euroleague Basketball. Most competitions other than the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball use the alternating possession rule to settle jump ball situations after the opening tip.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When is a jump ball used? | At the start of the game, at the start of any extra period, to settle held balls, when the ball is wedged between the goal and backboard, and to settle special situations where penalties cancel out and neither team is previously entitled to the ball. |
| Jump ball rules | The jumpers must be in the circle and cannot be the first to have possession. Each jumper must have both feet within that half of the center restraining circle which is farther from their basket. The ball is tossed upward between the jumpers and to a height greater than either of them can jump. The tossed ball must be touched by one or both jumpers after it reaches its highest point. |
| Competitions that use jump balls | NBA, WNBA, NCAA, and competitions operated by Euroleague Basketball. |
| Competitions that don't use jump balls | 3x3, a formalized version of half-court three-on-three basketball overseen by FIBA. |
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What You'll Learn
Jump ball rules
Jump balls are used in basketball to begin a game or settle certain in-game situations. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, included a jump ball to begin every quarter and after every basket scored. However, over time, the rules regarding jump balls have changed. Currently, in the NBA, WNBA, and 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, to settle special situations, and to settle held balls. Held balls occur when two opposing players both lay equal claim to the ball and end up in a stalemate. A jump ball may also be called if there are different calls by two or more referees or when the ball becomes wedged between the goal and backboard.
During a jump ball, the jumpers (usually two players, one from each team) must have both feet within the half of the center restraining circle that is farther from their basket. The non-jumpers must not enter the center restraining circle until the ball has been tossed and touched by at least one of the jumpers. The tossed ball must be touched by at least one of the jumpers after it reaches its highest point. If the ball touches the floor without being touched, the official shall toss it again. Neither jumper should touch the tossed ball before it reaches its highest point or touch it more than twice. The jump ball ends when the touched ball contacts a non-jumper, an official, the floor, a basket, or a backboard.
While the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball use jump balls, other competitions, such as the NCAA and FIBA, have adopted the alternating possession arrow rule to settle jump ball situations. This rule uses a possession arrow on the scorekeeper's table to indicate which team is awarded possession of the ball. 3x3 basketball, a formalized version of half-court three-on-three basketball, does not use jump balls at all.
The rules for jump balls can vary, and penalties for infractions are rarely called. Throw styles may include misdirection to catch players off guard, and it is common for players to "steal the toss" by touching the ball before it reaches its peak.
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When to call a held ball
A held ball is called when two opposing players lay equal claim to the ball and, after attempting to wrestle it from each other, end up in a stalemate. For a held ball to be called, both players must have their hands so firmly on the ball that neither can gain sole possession without committing a foul. If a player is lying or sitting on the floor while in possession, they should be given the opportunity to throw the ball.
A held ball often results in a jump ball, where an official will toss the ball into the air in a set location, and players from each team will jump to try and gain possession. In the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball, a jump ball occurs at the start of the game (the 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 previously entitled to the ball, and to settle any held balls.
In most competitions other than the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball, the alternating possession rule is used to settle all jump ball situations after the opening tip. This uses a possession arrow on the scorekeeper's table to indicate which team should be awarded possession. The arrow then swaps to point to the other team.
It is important to note that the rules for jump balls are relatively relaxed, with penalties rarely called on players touching the ball before it has reached the peak of its throw.
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Jump ball throw styles
Jump balls are a relatively unregulated part of basketball. While there is a general stipulation that the ball should reach its top altitude squarely between the two players competing for it, there are no league-wide standards regulating how referees throw the ball. This means that jump ball throw styles can vary, and referees may incorporate misdirection into their throwing styles to catch players off guard and prevent them from preempting the toss.
Throwing styles can include one-handed, two-handed, underhanded, and overhanded throws. Ken Mauer is known for his unusual, off-centre throwing style, which involves taking multiple steps back and then tossing the ball at an angle, resembling a volleyball player setting up a ball for a teammate.
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, tolerated, and even expected of players. This is known as "stealing the toss". The leniency in penalizing this action is partly due to its position in the game, as referees are reluctant to stop play immediately after it starts. As a result, while height is advantageous, top jump ball scorers are often agile players who can time the throw and their opponent well.
In addition to the opening tip, jump balls can also occur at the start of any extra period, to settle special situations where penalties cancel out and neither team is previously entitled to the ball, and to settle held balls or rare occurrences such as the ball becoming wedged between the goal and backboard.
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Jump ball rules in college basketball
A jump ball is a method used to begin or resume play in basketball. It involves two opposing players attempting to gain control of the ball after an official tosses it into the air between them.
In college basketball, the alternating possession arrow rule was adopted in 1981. This rule awards possession sequentially for all jump ball situations after the opening tip at the beginning of the game. The arrow on the scorekeeper's table points to the team that is moving in the direction of the offensive play, and possession is awarded to that team. If there is an additional overtime period, the arrow is reset after the initial jump ball.
The decision to adopt the alternating possession arrow rule was made by league executives, who believed that referees could not consistently ensure fair tosses. This decision has been controversial, with advocates of the rule citing fairness and opponents arguing that jump balls are a vital part of the sport.
It is important to note that the rules for jump balls are relatively relaxed, and penalties are rarely called for players touching the ball before it reaches its peak. Throw styles may also vary, and can include misdirection to catch players off guard.
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Jump ball rules in the NBA
Jump balls are a relatively unregulated part of basketball, and the rules for jump balls are quite relaxed, with penalties rarely being called. In the NBA, players are technically supposed to touch the ball only after it has reached the top of its flight arc, but slight breaking of this rule, known as "stealing the toss", is commonplace, tolerated, and arguably expected of players.
In the NBA, 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 where penalties cancel out and neither team is previously entitled to the ball, and to settle any 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. A jump ball may also be called if there are different calls by two or more referees. Although rare, a jump ball occurs when the ball becomes wedged between the goal and backboard.
Each jumper must have at least one foot on or inside that half of the jumping circle that is farthest from their own basket. Each jumper must have both feet within the restraining circle. The ball must be tapped by one or both of the players participating in the jump ball after it reaches its highest point. If the ball falls to the floor without being tapped by at least one of the jumpers, one of the officials will whistle the ball dead and signal another toss. Neither jumper may tap the tossed ball before it reaches its highest point. Neither jumper may leave their half of the jumping circle until the ball has been touched by one of the eight non-jumpers, the floor, the basket, or the backboard. Neither jumper is permitted to tap the ball more than twice on any jump. The eight non-jumpers will remain outside the restraining circle until the ball has been tapped.
During a jump ball, a personal foul committed prior to either team obtaining possession shall be ruled a "loose ball" foul. If the violation or foul occurs prior to the ball being legally tapped, neither the game clock nor the shot clock shall be started. If there is a violation by each team, or if the official makes a bad toss, the toss shall be repeated with the same jumpers.
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Frequently asked questions
A jump ball is used at the start of a basketball game, at the start of any extra period, to settle held balls, and to settle any special situations where penalties cancel out and neither team is previously entitled to the ball.
A held ball occurs 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.
The rules for jump balls are relatively relaxed, with penalties rarely called on players touching the ball before it has reached the peak of its throw. The jumpers must be in the circle and they cannot be the first to have possession. The ball is tossed upward between the jumpers to a height greater than either of them can jump so that it will drop between them.
