
Basketball is a sport that was introduced in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, by Dr James Naismith, a Canadian physical instructor. The game has evolved since then, and today, it typically consists of four quarters of 10 minutes each, with the team scoring the most points at the end of the four quarters being declared the winner. The game begins with a jump ball, a method used to determine which team gets the ball first. This is done by tossing the ball into the air between two opposing players, who then attempt to gain control of it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How is the team with the first possession decided? | In the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball, a jump ball occurs at the start of the game. |
| In other competitions, the alternating possession rule is used, with a possession arrow on the scorekeeper's table. | |
| In College and high school basketball, a possession arrow is used to determine who receives the possession of the ball after a held ball, after a turnover, when the ball gets stuck on the rim, or after an offensive foul. | |
| Who is involved in a jump ball? | Two opposing players, usually centers, attempt to gain control of the ball after an official tosses it into the air between them. |
| What are the rules for a jump ball? | The rules are relatively relaxed, with penalties rarely called on players touching the ball before it has reached the peak of its throw. |
| Players are technically supposed to touch the ball only after it has reached the top of its flight arc, but "stealing the toss" is commonplace, tolerated, and expected. | |
| There are no league-wide standards regulating how referees are to throw the ball beyond the stipulation that the ball should reach its top altitude squarely between the two players competing for it. | |
| What is the purpose of a jump ball? | To determine which team gets the ball first. |
| What is the difference between a jump ball and a tip-off? | A jump ball occurs at the start of the game, while a tip-off occurs at the start of any extra period. |
| When else might a jump ball be used? | To settle special situations where penalties cancel out and neither team is previously entitled to the ball, when the ball becomes wedged between the goal and backboard, or when there are different calls by two or more referees. |
| What is the possession arrow? | The possession arrow is placed at the sidelines on the scorer's table. If the arrow is pointing to a team's bench, that team gets possession of the ball after a dead ball or jump ball. |
| Who gets the ball after each quarter? | In high school basketball, each team gets the ball after each quarter. In College basketball, the possession arrow starts from the center court at halftime. |
| What is the FIBA-recommended rule for overtime periods? | Play begins with the arrow, with the arrow switching to the other team for the next overtime period. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Jump balls are used to begin or resume play in basketball
- Jump balls are rare but can happen during the game in certain situations
- The team that wins the initial jump ball will receive the ball in the fourth quarter
- In high school basketball, each team gets the ball after each quarter
- Overtime possession rules vary across different basketball leagues

Jump balls are used to begin or resume play in basketball
Jump balls are an important aspect of basketball, used to begin or resume play. They are similar to face-offs in ice hockey and field lacrosse and ball-ups in Australian rules football. The procedure involves an official tossing the ball into the air between two opposing players, who then attempt to gain control of it. This method ensures that both teams have an equal chance of gaining possession of the ball.
Jump balls are used at the start of a basketball game, also known as the opening tip or opening tip-off, to determine which team gets initial possession. This is particularly prevalent in the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball, where a jump ball occurs at the beginning of the game and any extra periods. In other competitions, the alternating possession rule is used to settle jump ball situations after the opening tip, with a possession arrow pointing to the team that is moving in the direction of the offensive arrow.
Jump balls can also occur during the game in the NBA and WNBA if there is a "tie-up" when players from opposing teams seem to simultaneously have possession of the ball. This situation is known as a held ball, and a jump ball can be called to resolve it. Additionally, a jump ball may be used if there are conflicting calls made by referees.
While jump balls were once used more frequently, they are now considered rare and almost extinct. They are no longer used in college basketball or international basketball, except to start the game. The rules regarding jump balls are relatively relaxed, with penalties rarely called for infractions such as touching the ball before it reaches its peak.
Altitude's Impact: Basketball Shots and Misses
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$34.99 $39.99

Jump balls are rare but can happen during the game in certain situations
Jump balls are a rare occurrence in basketball nowadays, but they can still happen during the game in certain situations. Basketball is a game played between two teams of five players each on a rectangular court, usually indoors. The game starts with a jump ball, a method used to begin play. Two opposing players attempt to gain control of the ball after an official tosses it into the air between them. The team that wins the initial jump ball will receive the ball in the fourth quarter. The other team gets a new ball for the start of the second and third quarters.
Jump balls were not always a rare occurrence. Before the 1930s, they were used like a hockey face-off, to restart play after almost every stoppage. However, the shot clock was not implemented back then, so basketball was not as high-scoring as it is today. Today, jump balls are only used in certain situations. In the NBA and WNBA, jump balls can happen during the game if there is a "tie-up", when two players from opposing teams seem to simultaneously have possession of the ball.
In high school basketball, each team gets the ball after each quarter. This means that the team with the ball at center court starts the next quarter. In college basketball, games are played in two 20-minute halves, and the possession arrow starts from the center court at halftime. In the case of a tie, an initial jump ball can be used to determine which team gets to start each subsequent period. This involves taking turns throwing a live basketball into play between teammates until someone scores and gains dominance over their opponents.
Overall, while jump balls are much rarer than they used to be, they can still occur in certain situations during a basketball game, particularly in the case of a tie or "tie-up".
Understanding Basketball's Winning Margin 3-Way Predictions
You may want to see also
Explore related products

The team that wins the initial jump ball will receive the ball in the fourth quarter
Basketball games traditionally start with a jump ball, which is used to determine which team gets the ball first. This is similar to a face-off in hockey or lacrosse, although in those sports, the ball or puck starts on the ground. In basketball, the jump ball is now rare, except to start the game. The referee throws the ball into the air and two opposing players, usually centers, jump to gain control of the ball, tapping it to their teammates.
In college and high school basketball, a possession arrow is used to determine possession of the ball. This is placed on the sidelines on the scorer's table. If the arrow points to a team's bench, that team gets possession of the ball after a dead ball or jump ball. The possession arrow helps referees make these decisions without slowing the game down.
In the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball, a jump ball occurs at the start of the game, the start of any extra period, and to settle special situations where penalties cancel out and neither team is entitled to the ball. In overtime periods, the FIBA basketball league does not have a jump ball to determine possession of the ball but uses an alternating arrow instead.
Understanding the Point Guard Position in Basketball
You may want to see also
Explore related products

In high school basketball, each team gets the ball after each quarter
Basketball is a sport that was introduced in 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, by Dr James Naismith, a Canadian physical instructor. The game has evolved over the years, with several rule changes and modifications. One of the rules that have changed over time is the use of the jump ball. The jump ball, which is now rarely used, was initially used to determine which team got the ball first.
In high school basketball, the game is played in four quarters, with a twenty-minute halftime. Each team gets the ball after each quarter, and the ball changes hands between the two teams at center court or in front of their own basket. This means that the team with the ball at center court starts the next quarter. This process continues until one team has scored enough points to win the game.
In college basketball, the game is typically divided into two 20-minute halves, and the possession arrow starts from the center court at halftime. In the NBA, regulation games are played in four 12-minute quarters, with 24 seconds allowed to take a shot. In contrast, NCAA regulation games consist of two 20-minute halves, and teams have 30 seconds to take a shot.
If both teams are tied after all four quarters in high school basketball, an initial jump ball is used to determine who gets to start each subsequent period. This involves teammates taking turns throwing a live basketball until someone scores and gains dominance over their opponents. This player can then start playing from wherever they ended up during that quarter's play sequence.
Where to Watch ISU Basketball Tonight
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Overtime possession rules vary across different basketball leagues
Overtime in basketball is one of the most thrilling parts of the game, taking it to the next level and allowing for extremely exciting matchups. However, it can be confusing, especially as overtime rules vary across different basketball leagues.
In the NBA, if the score is tied at the end of the fourth period, play shall resume after a 2:30 break without a change of baskets for any of the overtime periods required. All overtime periods are considered extensions of the second half. Overtimes start with a jump ball in the center circle and last for five minutes. The timing devices are stopped during the last two minutes of overtime(s) following a successful field goal attempt. Each team is allowed two team timeouts. The first three common fouls committed by a team in any overtime period result in the ball being awarded to the opposing team on the sideline nearest to where play was interrupted.
In the NCAA, the rules are almost identical to the NBA, with a tip-off to start and then a five-minute-long period. If the teams are still tied, there is a second overtime period, and this continues until there is a winner. The major difference is that college teams get one 75-second timeout, in addition to any unused timeouts from the regulation time.
In FIBA, the regulation game length is 40 minutes, compared to 48 minutes in the NBA, with four quarters of 10 minutes each. If the score is tied at the end of regulation, there is a single five-minute overtime period. Each team gets one more timeout.
In high school varsity, which has eight-minute quarters, overtime lasts four minutes, or half the length of a standard quarter.
In the Euroleague, if two teams play a double-header and the first game ends in a tie, there is no overtime. Instead, the total points from both games are taken into account, and the winner is determined by the aggregate score.
The Evolution of ACC Basketball: The 3-Point Line's Entry
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A basketball game starts with a jump ball, where a referee tosses the ball into the air and two opposing players attempt to gain control of the ball. This determines which team gets the ball first.
A jump ball is a method used to begin or resume play in basketball. It is similar to a face-off in hockey or lacrosse.
In the NBA, WNBA, and Euroleague Basketball, a jump ball occurs at the start of the game, the start of any extra period, to settle situations where penalties cancel out and neither team is entitled to the ball, and to settle held balls.
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.







![AppleRound 4-Pack Small Sports Balls for Toddlers Kids with Air Pump - Choose Your Style: 4X [5" Soccer Balls] or 4X [5" Basketballs] or 4X [6.5" Footballs] for Outdoor Garden Beach Games](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71pQQBiPn7L._AC_UL320_.jpg)



































