326:
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. In order to curb stealing, referees incorporate misdirection into their throwing styles to catch players off guard and unable to preempt the toss. Consequently, while height is obviously helpful for players competing for jump balls, top jump ball scorers are primarily credited for their agility and ability to time both the throw and their opponent.
280:'s original rules for basketball included a jump ball to begin every quarter, and after every basket scored. The NCAA first changed these rules in 1937, awarding possession after baskets to the scored-upon team. The NBA mirrored the NCAA's jump ball rules in 1949, and add a further change in 1975, removing jump balls to begin the second, third and fourth quarters, automatically granting possession in the second and third quarters to the team losing the opening tip, and possession in the fourth to the team that won the first tip.
226:), 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.
133:
317:, a formalized version of halfcourt three-on-three basketball overseen by FIBA, does not use a jump ball at any time in a game. Under current (2016) rules, the first possession is based on the result of a pregame coin toss; the winner can choose to have the first possession either at the start of the game or at the start of a potential overtime. During the game, held balls are automatically awarded to the defensive team.
1557:
260:
36:
248:
603:
329:
The leniency in penalizing jump ball stealing is in part due to its position in the game: referees are reluctant to stop play immediately after it starts, and quarter-opening jump balls lend minimal advantage because the losing team will be granted possession in the following quarter. An NBA study on
338:
is particularly noted for his unusual, off-center throwing style, described as " multiple steps back, then toss at an angle with a surprise motion that almost made him look like a volleyball player setting the ball for a teammate". More generally, throw styles that incorporate stepping away from the
325:
Jump balls are a relatively unregulated part of basketball. 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.
233:
on the scorekeeper's table. Whenever such a jump ball situation occurs, 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. At the start of the game, the arrow points to the team that lost
309:
before handing responsibility to the
Euroleague Company, adopt the FIBA rule in 2005, as part of FIBA's rules being used by the EuroLeague, effective the 2005-06 season. Previously, the EuroLeague used the NBA jump ball rules. However, the Euroleague Company reinstated the jump ball rule in 2013.
283:
The alternating possession arrow rule went into effect in college basketball in 1981. League executives adopted the rule based on the belief that referees were not able to consistently ensure fair tosses, citing examples of games whose outcomes were effectively sealed by an inadequate toss. The
209:
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. Jump ball throw styles vary, and may feature misdirection to catch players off guard.
294:, on the FIBA World Technical Commission at the time, adopted the alternating possession rule in 2003, with a major difference. In overtime periods, play begins with the arrow. In other organizations, another jump ball is conducted.
929:
333:
Jump ball throwing styles are varied, including one-handed, two-handed, underhanded, and overhanded styles. While the ball's trajectory is typically delivered at a near vertical angle, this is not required.
284:
decision has been controversial. Advocates of alternating possession argue that it is more fair, but this is disputed by its opponents, who also argue that jump balls are a vital part of the sport.
229:
However, most competitions other than the NBA, WNBA, and
Euroleague Basketball use the alternating possession rule to settle all jump ball situations after the opening tip. This uses a
874:
186:
dropped jump balls after baskets in the mid-20th century. The NBA stopped using jump balls for 2nd-4th quarter possession in 1975, and the NCAA implemented
517:
339:
ball's destination, known as "pulling", are employed by referees as a way to mitigate the risk of being injured by players competing for the toss.
489:
461:
1364:
119:
1359:
664:
1588:
378:
57:
671:
222:, a jump ball occurs at the start of the game (called the opening tip or opening tip-off), the start of any extra period (
1593:
484:
100:
1267:
72:
178:
Originally, jump balls were used to restart play at the beginning of every quarter and after each basket scored. The
879:
729:
499:
53:
175:. Two opposing players attempt to gain control of the ball after an official tosses it into the air between them.
46:
172:
143:(34) compete at center court for the jump ball that starts the game, which is known as the tip-off or opening tip
79:
1535:
1405:
1272:
696:
550:
454:
432:
1598:
1287:
900:
573:
568:
402:
86:
1519:
1459:
1429:
1209:
1156:
1027:
924:
905:
706:
676:
648:
1567:
1379:
866:
686:
633:
628:
588:
583:
540:
527:
219:
199:
1369:
68:
1252:
1219:
1181:
1066:
1006:
914:
770:
202:
have adopted the NBA's jump ball rules, while other leagues have implemented alternating possession.
1439:
1400:
1119:
919:
847:
681:
611:
447:
348:
1497:
1336:
1191:
950:
945:
895:
739:
659:
306:
132:
1561:
1502:
1434:
1247:
989:
977:
716:
638:
330:
jump balls found that in the 2022-2023 season, only 0.3% of jump balls had violations called.
1469:
1454:
1444:
1316:
1229:
1088:
964:
744:
314:
1540:
1464:
1277:
1204:
994:
749:
190:
rules in 1981 that award possession sequentially for all jump ball situations after the
1395:
1262:
1239:
799:
734:
691:
578:
535:
277:
203:
164:
93:
1582:
1507:
1448:
1224:
1214:
1083:
837:
825:
820:
724:
1476:
1374:
1351:
1326:
1199:
830:
291:
140:
1321:
1311:
1282:
1151:
1135:
1044:
999:
804:
794:
136:
35:
259:
1514:
1257:
1056:
1022:
701:
563:
470:
302:
160:
152:
1073:
1061:
1051:
984:
972:
778:
335:
247:
17:
1176:
1078:
1032:
558:
156:
1481:
602:
168:
1039:
131:
507:
298:
287:
195:
183:
443:
512:
179:
29:
439:
379:""It's My Job to Steal It": The Wild West of NBA Jump Balls"
290:, with recommendation by NCAA Men's Supervisor of Officials
1528:
1490:
1422:
1388:
1350:
1335:
1304:
1238:
1190:
1169:
1144:
1128:
1112:
1105:
1015:
963:
938:
888:
865:
846:
813:
787:
769:
762:
715:
647:
610:
549:
526:
498:
477:
60:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
218:In the NBA, WNBA, and competitions operated by
455:
265:Electric possession arrow in Wadowice, Poland
8:
151:is a method used to begin or resume play in
1332:
1187:
1141:
1109:
1012:
885:
784:
766:
616:
495:
462:
448:
440:
120:Learn how and when to remove this message
433:"Possession arrow creates hoops impasse"
360:
7:
372:
370:
368:
366:
364:
253:Possession arrow in Poland (circled)
58:adding citations to reliable sources
194:at the beginning of the game. The
25:
1555:
601:
258:
246:
206:does not use jump balls at all.
34:
45:needs additional citations for
1:
431:Moran, Malcolm (2004-08-27).
377:Dowsett, Ben (2024-02-21).
1615:
1549:
619:
599:
173:Australian rules football
677:Time line (8/10 seconds)
408:. FIBA. 29 January 2013
403:"3x3 Rules of the Game"
1589:Basketball terminology
1520:Chuck Taylor All-Stars
188:alternating possession
144:
1568:Outline of basketball
1562:Basketball portal
541:Protocol of Stockholm
301:, which operated the
220:Euroleague Basketball
200:Euroleague Basketball
155:. It is similar to a
135:
1067:Backboard shattering
54:improve this article
1594:Rules of basketball
682:Basket interference
349:Rules of basketball
297:FIBA mandated that
145:
1576:
1575:
1418:
1417:
1414:
1413:
1300:
1299:
1165:
1164:
1101:
1100:
1097:
1096:
959:
958:
930:100-point scorers
861:
860:
758:
757:
639:Trent Tucker Rule
597:
596:
490:Index of articles
485:Glossary of terms
271:Possession arrows
234:the opening tip.
130:
129:
122:
104:
16:(Redirected from
1606:
1560:
1559:
1558:
1406:Triangle-and-two
1333:
1317:Full-court press
1188:
1142:
1110:
1013:
886:
785:
767:
745:Three-point play
617:
605:
496:
464:
457:
450:
441:
436:
418:
417:
415:
413:
407:
399:
393:
392:
390:
389:
374:
262:
250:
231:possession arrow
125:
118:
114:
111:
105:
103:
62:
38:
30:
21:
1614:
1613:
1609:
1608:
1607:
1605:
1604:
1603:
1579:
1578:
1577:
1572:
1556:
1554:
1545:
1524:
1486:
1410:
1384:
1346:
1331:
1296:
1278:Grinnell System
1234:
1186:
1161:
1140:
1124:
1093:
1011:
955:
934:
884:
880:Winning streaks
875:Player tracking
857:
842:
809:
783:
754:
750:Four-point play
711:
643:
606:
593:
545:
522:
494:
473:
468:
430:
427:
422:
421:
411:
409:
405:
401:
400:
396:
387:
385:
376:
375:
362:
357:
345:
323:
275:
274:
273:
272:
268:
267:
266:
263:
255:
254:
251:
240:
216:
126:
115:
109:
106:
63:
61:
51:
39:
28:
27:Basketball term
23:
22:
15:
12:
11:
5:
1612:
1610:
1602:
1601:
1599:Jumping sports
1596:
1591:
1581:
1580:
1574:
1573:
1571:
1570:
1565:
1550:
1547:
1546:
1544:
1543:
1538:
1532:
1530:
1526:
1525:
1523:
1522:
1517:
1512:
1511:
1510:
1500:
1494:
1492:
1488:
1487:
1485:
1484:
1479:
1474:
1473:
1472:
1467:
1462:
1452:
1442:
1437:
1432:
1426:
1424:
1420:
1419:
1416:
1415:
1412:
1411:
1409:
1408:
1403:
1398:
1392:
1390:
1386:
1385:
1383:
1382:
1377:
1372:
1367:
1362:
1356:
1354:
1348:
1347:
1345:
1344:
1341:
1339:
1330:
1329:
1324:
1319:
1314:
1308:
1306:
1302:
1301:
1298:
1297:
1295:
1294:
1293:
1292:
1291:
1290:
1285:
1280:
1270:
1268:Cherry picking
1265:
1255:
1250:
1244:
1242:
1236:
1235:
1233:
1232:
1227:
1222:
1217:
1212:
1210:UCLA High Post
1207:
1202:
1196:
1194:
1185:
1184:
1179:
1173:
1171:
1167:
1166:
1163:
1162:
1160:
1159:
1154:
1148:
1146:
1139:
1138:
1132:
1130:
1126:
1125:
1123:
1122:
1116:
1114:
1107:
1103:
1102:
1099:
1098:
1095:
1094:
1092:
1091:
1086:
1081:
1076:
1071:
1070:
1069:
1064:
1059:
1049:
1048:
1047:
1037:
1036:
1035:
1025:
1019:
1017:
1010:
1009:
1004:
1003:
1002:
992:
987:
982:
981:
980:
969:
967:
961:
960:
957:
956:
954:
953:
948:
942:
940:
936:
935:
933:
932:
927:
922:
917:
912:
911:
910:
909:
908:
892:
890:
883:
882:
877:
871:
869:
863:
862:
859:
858:
856:
855:
852:
850:
844:
843:
841:
840:
835:
834:
833:
823:
817:
815:
811:
810:
808:
807:
802:
797:
791:
789:
782:
781:
775:
773:
764:
760:
759:
756:
755:
753:
752:
747:
742:
737:
732:
727:
721:
719:
713:
712:
710:
709:
704:
699:
694:
692:Double dribble
689:
684:
679:
674:
669:
668:
667:
662:
653:
651:
645:
644:
642:
641:
636:
631:
626:
620:
614:
608:
607:
600:
598:
595:
594:
592:
591:
586:
581:
579:Three-on-three
576:
571:
566:
561:
555:
553:
547:
546:
544:
543:
538:
536:James Naismith
532:
530:
524:
523:
521:
520:
515:
510:
504:
502:
493:
492:
487:
481:
479:
478:General topics
475:
474:
469:
467:
466:
459:
452:
444:
438:
437:
426:
425:External links
423:
420:
419:
394:
359:
358:
356:
353:
352:
351:
344:
341:
322:
319:
278:James Naismith
270:
269:
264:
257:
256:
252:
245:
244:
243:
242:
241:
239:
236:
215:
212:
204:3x3 basketball
165:field lacrosse
128:
127:
42:
40:
33:
26:
24:
14:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1611:
1600:
1597:
1595:
1592:
1590:
1587:
1586:
1584:
1569:
1566:
1564:
1563:
1552:
1551:
1548:
1542:
1541:Trading cards
1539:
1537:
1536:List of films
1534:
1533:
1531:
1527:
1521:
1518:
1516:
1513:
1509:
1508:Finger sleeve
1506:
1505:
1504:
1501:
1499:
1496:
1495:
1493:
1489:
1483:
1480:
1478:
1475:
1471:
1468:
1466:
1463:
1461:
1458:
1457:
1456:
1453:
1450:
1449:Breakaway rim
1446:
1443:
1441:
1438:
1436:
1433:
1431:
1428:
1427:
1425:
1421:
1407:
1404:
1402:
1399:
1397:
1394:
1393:
1391:
1387:
1381:
1378:
1376:
1373:
1371:
1368:
1366:
1363:
1361:
1358:
1357:
1355:
1353:
1349:
1343:
1342:
1340:
1338:
1334:
1328:
1325:
1323:
1320:
1318:
1315:
1313:
1310:
1309:
1307:
1303:
1289:
1286:
1284:
1281:
1279:
1276:
1275:
1274:
1271:
1269:
1266:
1264:
1261:
1260:
1259:
1256:
1254:
1253:Dribble drive
1251:
1249:
1246:
1245:
1243:
1241:
1237:
1231:
1228:
1226:
1225:Pick and roll
1223:
1221:
1218:
1216:
1213:
1211:
1208:
1206:
1203:
1201:
1198:
1197:
1195:
1193:
1189:
1183:
1180:
1178:
1175:
1174:
1172:
1168:
1158:
1155:
1153:
1150:
1149:
1147:
1143:
1137:
1134:
1133:
1131:
1127:
1121:
1118:
1117:
1115:
1111:
1108:
1104:
1090:
1087:
1085:
1084:Buzzer beater
1082:
1080:
1077:
1075:
1072:
1068:
1065:
1063:
1060:
1058:
1055:
1054:
1053:
1050:
1046:
1043:
1042:
1041:
1038:
1034:
1031:
1030:
1029:
1026:
1024:
1021:
1020:
1018:
1014:
1008:
1005:
1001:
998:
997:
996:
993:
991:
988:
986:
983:
979:
976:
975:
974:
971:
970:
968:
966:
962:
952:
949:
947:
944:
943:
941:
937:
931:
928:
926:
925:50–40–90 club
923:
921:
918:
916:
913:
907:
906:Three-pointer
904:
903:
902:
899:
898:
897:
894:
893:
891:
887:
881:
878:
876:
873:
872:
870:
868:
864:
854:
853:
851:
849:
845:
839:
836:
832:
829:
828:
827:
824:
822:
819:
818:
816:
812:
806:
803:
801:
798:
796:
793:
792:
790:
786:
780:
777:
776:
774:
772:
768:
765:
761:
751:
748:
746:
743:
741:
738:
736:
733:
731:
728:
726:
723:
722:
720:
718:
714:
708:
705:
703:
700:
698:
695:
693:
690:
688:
685:
683:
680:
678:
675:
673:
670:
666:
663:
661:
658:
657:
655:
654:
652:
650:
646:
640:
637:
635:
632:
630:
627:
625:
622:
621:
618:
615:
613:
609:
604:
590:
587:
585:
582:
580:
577:
575:
572:
570:
567:
565:
562:
560:
557:
556:
554:
552:
548:
542:
539:
537:
534:
533:
531:
529:
525:
519:
516:
514:
511:
509:
506:
505:
503:
501:
497:
491:
488:
486:
483:
482:
480:
476:
472:
465:
460:
458:
453:
451:
446:
445:
442:
434:
429:
428:
424:
404:
398:
395:
384:
380:
373:
371:
369:
367:
365:
361:
354:
350:
347:
346:
342:
340:
337:
331:
327:
320:
318:
316:
311:
308:
304:
300:
295:
293:
289:
285:
281:
279:
261:
249:
237:
235:
232:
227:
225:
221:
213:
211:
207:
205:
201:
197:
193:
189:
185:
181:
176:
174:
170:
166:
162:
158:
154:
150:
142:
138:
134:
124:
121:
113:
102:
99:
95:
92:
88:
85:
81:
78:
74:
71: –
70:
66:
65:Find sources:
59:
55:
49:
48:
43:This article
41:
37:
32:
31:
19:
1553:
1327:Jordan Rules
1220:Four corners
623:
435:. USA Today.
410:. Retrieved
397:
386:. Retrieved
382:
332:
328:
324:
312:
296:
292:Hank Nichols
286:
282:
276:
230:
228:
223:
217:
208:
191:
187:
177:
148:
146:
141:Javale McGee
116:
110:January 2019
107:
97:
90:
83:
76:
64:
52:Please help
47:verification
44:
1401:Box-and-one
1322:Hack-a-Shaq
1312:Double team
1283:Nellie Ball
1273:Run and gun
1136:Shootaround
1089:Uncontested
1045:Finger roll
1000:Back screen
697:Goaltending
412:17 December
192:opening tip
137:Joakim Noah
69:"Jump ball"
18:Opening tip
1583:Categories
1515:Air Jordan
1465:Half court
1337:Man-to-man
1288:Small ball
1258:Fast break
1192:Continuity
1057:Posterized
1023:Free throw
901:Field goal
867:Statistics
702:Shot clock
656:3 seconds
649:Violations
589:Wheelchair
584:Six-on-six
574:Twenty-one
569:One-on-one
564:Streetball
551:Variations
471:Basketball
388:2024-02-23
383:The Ringer
355:References
313:Uniquely,
303:EuroLeague
161:ice hockey
153:basketball
80:newspapers
1430:Backboard
1423:Equipment
1248:Princeton
1074:Hook shot
1062:Alley-oop
1052:Slam dunk
1028:Jump shot
985:Euro step
978:Crossover
779:Sixth man
771:Positions
763:Game play
735:Technical
707:Traveling
672:5 seconds
629:Officials
624:Jump ball
336:Ken Mauer
321:Technique
149:jump ball
139:(13) and
1491:Clothing
1380:Match-up
1230:Triangle
1177:Ball hog
1129:Practice
1120:Playbook
1106:Strategy
1079:Air ball
1033:Fadeaway
1016:Shooting
1007:Slashing
800:Shooting
730:Personal
725:Flagrant
687:Carrying
634:Turnover
559:Slamball
343:See also
157:face-off
1498:Uniform
1482:Whistle
1360:1–2–1–1
1305:Defense
1205:Shuffle
1182:Gravity
1170:Offense
1113:General
973:Dribble
939:Defense
915:Rebound
889:Offense
831:Stretch
814:Forward
665:Defense
660:Offense
528:History
500:Leagues
307:Eurocup
238:History
224:tip-off
169:ball-up
94:scholar
1503:Sleeve
1440:Basket
1396:Amoeba
1389:Hybrid
1240:Motion
1145:Drills
995:Screen
920:Assist
848:Center
167:and a
96:
89:
82:
75:
67:
1529:Media
1460:Glass
1455:Court
1365:1–3–1
1215:Wheel
1152:Mikan
1040:Layup
965:Moves
951:Steal
946:Block
896:Point
838:Point
826:Power
821:Small
805:Combo
795:Point
788:Guard
740:Bonus
717:Fouls
612:Rules
406:(PDF)
214:Usage
101:JSTOR
87:books
1435:Ball
1375:Line
1352:Zone
1200:Flex
990:Flop
508:FIBA
414:2013
305:and
299:ULEB
288:FIBA
198:and
196:WNBA
184:NCAA
182:and
163:and
73:news
1477:Net
1470:Key
1445:Rim
1370:2–3
1263:Fly
1157:Tip
518:AAU
513:NBA
315:3x3
180:NBA
171:in
159:in
56:by
1585::
381:.
363:^
147:A
1451:)
1447:(
463:e
456:t
449:v
416:.
391:.
123:)
117:(
112:)
108:(
98:·
91:·
84:·
77:·
50:.
20:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
