When Dr. James Naismith introduced the game of basketball in 1891, his original rule book called for a jump ball after every successful basket to determine possession. However, that rule lasted less than half a century, as a 1936 rule change annulled Naismith's original idea and allowed a non-scoring team to inbound the ball instead. Another 45 years later, the jump ball moved further into obscurity as the NCAA adopted the possession arrow to determine ownership of the ball at moments of simultaneous possession. Still, knowing the nuances of the jump ball rule can make a big difference in the game's many strategic situations.
Tip-Off
According to the National Federation of State High School Associations basketball rule book, the jump ball is one of only three ways to make a dead ball live, along with the throw-in and free throw. However, according to NFHS rules, "The alternating-possession procedure applies for all jump-ball situations other than the start of the game and the start of each extra period."
So while teams may only face one or two jump balls per game, a player from each team must stand on their respective side of the half-court line in the center circle and tip the ball to another teammate. A player may not catch his own jump ball, and if he tips the ball out of bounds, possession is awarded to the other team and the possession arrow is established once the ball is put in play.
Rules Nullified by a Jump Ball
Because a jump ball is contested at the time of a dead ball, when the clock is stopped and neither team has established possession, certain fundamental rules of the game are momentarily suspended. While a jump ball is in flight and possession is being contested, neither the rules for traveling nor dribbling apply. Also, a player may tip a jump ball to a teammate in either her frontcourt or backcourt, but once possession is established, rules governing a backcourt violation are enacted.
When a Jump Ball is Called During a Game
When one or more players from each time simultaneously possess the ball during game play, a referee will whistle play dead and point both thumbs up, signaling a jump ball. However, possession is then awarded to a team based on the alternating possession arrow -- not by using a jump ball. The possession arrow can only be switched to the opposite team once the ball is inbounded and possession is established, regardless of any fouls or violations during the dead ball.
Considerations
Because the possession arrow cannot be changed until the ball is made live, any fouls and their subsequent penalties awarded during the dead ball are assessed without the changing of the possession arrow. For example, if Team A attempts to inbound after a jump ball, but Team B fouls a Team A player during the inbound play, Team A would shoot any bonus free throws without the possession arrow changing hands. Also, if Team B were assessed a technical foul in the same dead-ball situation, Team A would shoot the technical free throws and receive the bonus possession of the ball without the possession arrow switching sides.
Member Comments