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How does possession arrow work in basketball
Alternating Possession Rules for Basketball | Live Healthy
By Jeff Smith
A shot bounces off the rim and away from the basket. Players from opposing teams grab the ball and fight for possession. The referee blows his whistle and calls a jump ball. What happens next depends on which level of basketball you are watching. In the National Basketball Association, the two players would undergo a jump ball tossed by a referee. But at nearly every other level, the alternating possession rule determines which team gets the ball.
The Rule's Origin
Before 1981, from instructional leagues through the professional level, when two players from opposing teams held control of the ball at the same time, a referee would call a jump ball. The two players would then line up facing each other in the circle nearest the violation. Their teammates would spread out around the circle. A referee would toss the ball in the air between them, and the two players would jump up and try to tip the ball to a teammate.
But college basketball introduced the alternating possession rule in 1981, and most other playing levels except for the NBA soon followed.
Jump Ball
With the alternating possession rule, instead of a tip-off as described previously, one team is awarded the ball based on a possession arrow maintained at the scorer's table. Games still begin with an opening tip-off at half-court. But after the opening tip, the possession arrow is set to point toward the team that loses the tip-off. If a jump ball is later called, that team is awarded possession of the ball and in-bounds the ball. The possession arrow then switches to point toward the other team.
Confusion Over Out of Bounds
It happens rarely, but when a ball is knocked out of bounds and the referees can't determine which team touched the ball last, they can call a jump ball. In this case, the team to which the possession arrow is pointing receives the ball. The possession arrow then alternates to point to the other team.
Second-Half Possession
Since jump balls are only executed at the start of each game and the start of an overtime period, how is possession determined for the outset of each half, or each quarter in the case of high school, middle school and lower-level competition? The ball is in-bounded by the team to which the possession arrow is pointing at the end of the previous half or quarter. Note that college games consist of two halves; games at other levels are comprised of four quarters. After the ball is in-bounded, the arrow changes to point to the other team.
References
New York Times: Arrow Points to the Jump Ball's Demise
Sports Stack Exchange: Basketball Tip-off Possession and Subsequent Possession
OSAA Basketball: Alternating Possession Arrow
Writer Bio
Jeff Smith spent eight years as a reporter and sports editor before working for 15 years as a copywriter and editorial manager at Awana, one of the world's largest children's ministries. Today he operates Write for Your Cause, an editorial service, and writes sports articles for the "Daily Herald."
Who gets the ball at the start of each Quarter, Half, and Overtime in Basketball? – Basketball Word!
Ever wonder which team gets the basketball at the start of the quarter or half? Doesn’t it seem confusing as to why a team gets the basketball again when they won the tip? This actually confuses a lot of spectators and even basketball players. It really is simple who gets possession, let me explain.
The way the basketball possession is determined at the beginning of a quarter, half, or overtime will depend on the rules which govern the play. In the NBA the winner of the tip-off at the beginning of the game will also get the basketball at the start of the fourth quarter. While the team that lost the tip will get the basketball at the beginning of the 2nd and 3rd quarters.
So we know how the NBA works as far as possession goes at the beginning of each quarter, but what about other leagues such as high school, college, and FIBA are the rules the same for overtime also? Let’s take a look.
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NBA Possession
In the NBA there is a jump ball between the two teams at the start of the game. When the referee throws the basketball up in the air the tallest player from each team battles to tip it to their teammate.
The team that wins the tip will get the basketball at the start of the fourth quarter while the team that lost the tip will get the basketball at the start of the 2nd and 3rd quarter.
For example, if we use Team A and Team B, It would look like this; Team A won the tip, it then goes Team B at the start of quarter 2 and quarter 3, while Team A would get the ball at the beginning of the 4th quarter.
Team
Possession
A
Won Tip, 4th Quarter
B
3rd and 4th Quarter
Overtime
If two teams are tied at the end of the regulation we know the game goes into overtime. But who gets the basketball to start? Well actually it’s simple, there is a jump ball to start the overtime at center court. For each additional overtime, there is a jump ball to start.
What is the possession arrow?
Before we move forward and discuss the other leagues and levels of basketball, let’s take a look at what the possession arrow is and how it works in basketball.
This is important so that we understand who gets possession of the ball at the beginning of a quarter or half.
The possession arrow is located at the scorer’s table and is an arrow that points to a team.
The team that has the arrow pointing at their bench gets possession of a dead or jump ball. Referees are human and there are questionable calls that happen during a game that could be decided either way.
This is an easy way to determine who gets the ball without the need to slow down the game. This is why the possession arrow exists.
To make this easy to understand, the possession arrow works as follows; the team that wins the tip-off has the basketball therefore the arrow would point to the opposite team.
Any time there is a tie-up between two players fighting for the ball, a jump ball or the basketball went out of bounds but the referees are unsure who touched it last, it will go to the possession arrow. Whichever bench the arrow is pointing to is that team’s ball.
If a team is rewarded with the possession arrow then the arrow is switched to the opposing team now. This as called the alternating possession rule in basketball. The NBA does not use the possession arrow.
Possession arrow for High School, College, and FIBA
At all 3 levels of play each of which has different rules to govern their basketball games. The alternating possession is used with the arrow.
The way that the possession is determined at the beginning of the quarter is whichever team has the possession arrow pointed to their bench receives the ball at the start of the quarter.
The arrow immediately switches to the opposing team when the ball is inbounded.
The only difference between the rule books of these 3 levels of basketball is overtime and this is how it works.
High School and College Overtime Possession
For High School and College Basketball, overtime works as follows, two teams are tied at the end of regulation and the possession arrow is not used to determine who gets the basketball, it resets.
The possession of the basketball is determined at the beginning of overtime with a tip-off or jump ball just like the start of the game.
The winner of the tipoff gets rewarded with the ball while the team that lost the tipoff gets the arrow and will receive the basketball when there is an alternating possession due to a jump ball situation.
FIBA Overtime Possesion
In FIBA it is a little different than the NBA, College, and High School. The way overtime works for which team gets the basketball is not by a jump ball but by the alternating arrow.
So the team with the arrow gets the basketball at the start of overtime while the arrow is switched immediately to the opposing team, just as it’s done at the beginning of the quarter or half.
Basketball Rules: disputed throw, one -hourly ownership
12.1 Determination of the disputed throw
12.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.0003 SPUARTIC THE RASE
, when the judge throws the ball in the central circle between any 2 rivals at the beginning of the first period of the first period .
12.1.2 A dropped ball
occurs when one or more players of opposing teams hold the ball so firmly with one or both hands that neither player can gain control of it without being overly rough.
12.2 Jump ball procedure
12.2.1
Each jumper must stand with both feet inside the half of the center circle closest to his own basket, with one foot next to the center line.
12.2.2
Players of the same team may not occupy adjacent places around the circle if the opponent wishes to occupy one of these places.
12.2.3
The referee must then toss the ball vertically upwards between the 2 opponents to a height greater than either of them can reach in a jump.
12.2.4
The ball must be tapped with the wrist(s) by at least one of the arguing players after reaches its highest point.
12.2.5
Neither of the arguing players shall leave their position until the ball has been properly tapped.
12.2.6
No arguing player may catch or hit the ball more than 2 times until it touches one of the non-jumping players or the floor.
12.2.7
If the ball is not hit by at least one of the contesting players, the jump ball must be retaken.
12.2.8
No parts of the body of players not participating in the jump ball may be on or over the circle (cylinder) line until the ball has been hit.
Non-compliance with Art. 12.2.1, 12.2.4, 12.2.5, 12.2.6 and 12.2.8 is a violation.
12.3 Jump ball situations
A jump ball situation occurs when:
• A dropped ball is called.
• The ball is out-of-bounds and the referees are in doubt or disagree about which opponent last touched the ball.
• A double free throw violation occurs during a failed last or only free throw.
• A live ball lodges between the hoop and the backboard (but not between free throws and not after the last or only free throw followed by a throw-in at the center line extended opposite the scorer's table).
• The ball becomes dead when neither team has control of the ball or is entitled to the ball.
• After canceling equal penalties against both teams, there are no other foul penalties remaining to be administered and neither team had control of the ball or was entitled to the ball before the first foul or violation.
• All periods except the first one start.
12.4 Alternating Possession Definition
12.4.1
Alternating Possession is a way of making the ball live on a throw-in instead of a jump ball.
12.4.2
Alternating possession throw-in:
• begins when the ball is at the disposal of the player taking the throw-in.
• Ends when:
- The ball is touched or the ball is legally touched by a player on the playing court.
- The team taking the throw-in commits a violation.
- Live ball stuck between hoop and backboard during face-off
.
12.5 Alternating possession procedure
12.5.1
throw.
12.5.2
The team that does not gain control of a live ball on the playing court after a jump ball has been awarded first alternating possession.
12.5.3
The team entitled to the next alternating possession at the end of any period shall begin the next period with a throw-in at the center line extended, opposite the scorer's table, unless further penalty is to be administered free throws and possession of the ball.
12.5.4
The team entitled to a throw-in as a result of an alternating possession process must be identified with an alternating possession arrow pointing towards the opponents' basket. The direction of the alternating possession arrow changes as soon as the alternating possession face-off ends.
12.5.5
An offense committed by a team during its alternating possession throw-in causes that team to forfeit the alternating possession throw-in. The direction of the alternating possession arrow immediately changes to indicate that the opponents of the offending team will be entitled to an alternating possession throw-in at the next jump ball situation. The game shall then be restarted by presenting the ball to the opponents of the offending team for a throw-in from the place of the original throw-in.
12.5.6
Foul committed by either team:
• Before the start of any period other than the first period, or
• During a face-off as a result of a process, the team
is not entitled to alternating possession,
throw-in, forfeit your alternating possession.
Explaining the difference between 5x5 and 3x3 basketball
With the growing popularity of 3x3 basketball, there are fewer and fewer ballers who are not familiar with this game. However, not everyone knows the full list of its features.
Author Red Bull Russia
Read 3 minPosted on
Court and ball
In 3x3 basketball, one hoop is played. A standard game court has dimensions of 15x11 meters. 3x3 basketball borrowed some marking elements from its classical counterpart: a free throw line, an arc - a two-point line (in 5x5 basketball this is a three-point line) and a "semicircle under the basket, in which collision fouls are not recorded."
Games are usually played with the official FIBA 3x3 ball. This is a weighted "six". This ball weighs like a classic "seven". In Red Bull Half Court, we play standard sixes (girls) and sevens (men).
A 3v3 team must consist of a minimum of three and a maximum of four (one substitute). The coach can be in the playing hall during matches, but has no right to interfere in the game process (take time-outs, give hints, make substitutions, etc.). If this rule is not followed, the team may receive a technical foul.
In 3v3 basketball, any hit from close and medium distances, as well as free throws, are valued at 1 point. Here the team receives 2 points for the “three-pointers” familiar to us in classic basketball. Bonus free throws are also possible in case of a successful shot with a foul (1 + 1 from close and long distances, 2 + 1 from behind the arc).
Fouls
A team is in a "team penalty foul" situation when it commits 6 fouls. 7th, 8th and 9th-th team fouls are penalized with 2 free throws. The 10th and each subsequent team foul is penalized with 2 free throws, with possession of the ball by the team taking those throws. A foul in the act of shooting inside the arc is awarded 1 free throw. A foul in the act of shooting from behind the arc is awarded 2 free throws.
A 3x3 basketball match lasts 10 minutes of playing time or until one of the teams scores 21 points. If the score is tied after regular time, overtime is played. The first team to score 2 points in overtime wins the game. The team has 12 seconds to attack.
The game starts with a check: putting the ball over the two-point line and passing it to the nearest player of the opposing team. After each unsuccessful shot for a field goal or free kick, an opposing player on rebounding must take the ball over the two-point line and continue play.
Today he operates Write for Your Cause, an editorial service, and writes sports articles for the "Daily Herald."
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This ball weighs like a classic "seven". In Red Bull Half Court, we play standard sixes (girls) and sevens (men). 
7th, 8th and 9th-th team fouls are penalized with 2 free throws. The 10th and each subsequent team foul is penalized with 2 free throws, with possession of the ball by the team taking those throws. A foul in the act of shooting inside the arc is awarded 1 free throw. A foul in the act of shooting from behind the arc is awarded 2 free throws. 
