You are here:

Basketball Instruction/When is possession established on a jump ball

Advertisement

Expert: - 11/29/2010


Question
Game being played under NFHS rules, at the beginning of the game the jump ball is tipped by team A towards their offensive basket. The ball hits the floor in bounds but rolls out of bounds without any player touching the ball. The referee awarded the ball to team B (team A last touched the ball before going out of bounds). The referee awarded the possession arrow to team B because team A won the jump. Should the ball have been re-jumped? What is the correct ruling(s)? Would the rulings change if using NCAA rules?

Answer
Hi Keith,

The call was partially correct and partially incorrect. The ball was tipped by Player A before going out of bounds, and Player A was the last to touch it, so Team B should be awarded a designated throw in.  However, The Alternating Possession Arrow should have been awarded to Team A not Team B. The reason being, Team A tipped the ball, but never gained possession of the ball. Team B had the first possession by virtue of the out of bounds call.
There would be no need for a re-jump either, as the play was completely legal. The same rules would apply to NCAA rules as well, as far as I know,  since they use the alternating possession rule as well.  The NBA would be different as they do not use the alternating possession Arrow.  I hope that cleared it up for you.

Basketball Instruction

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Bret Temple

Expertise

My expertise is in the art of Officiating Basketball and I can answer questions pertaining to basketball rules; youth level through CIF High School, NCAA college and NBA rules as well. I can either help define a specific rule for you, or interpret a specific rule to clarify how other officials and I view and call the game.

Experience

I have been a Basketball Official now for over 19 years, officiating at all levels. I have attended numerous training camps throughout the years in an attempt to constantly become a better official. I have been evaluated by top Officiating organizations and I've had the honor of being selected to officiate at the highest levels including former Division 1 College and NBA players.

Organizations
NASO (National Association of Sports Officials) CBOA (California Basketball Officials Association)

Education/Credentials
El Sorrino Officials Association Accreditation CIF Certified(California Interscholastic Federation) WCPBL(West Coast Professional Baskeball League) The NBA Developmental League training

Past/Present Clients
Los Angeles City Parks and Recreation, Calabasas Basketball League, Calabasas Semi-Pro Men's League, AYBA California Interscholatic Federation, ARC League , (WCPBL)West Coast Professional Basketball League, Gary Grant Youth Basketball Program

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.